Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 24

Verse 1

Joash. Compare 2 Kings 12:1 , 2 Kings 12:2 .

Verse 2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 3

for him: i.e. Joash. Was this because the line was almost extinct, or from lack of faith?

Verse 4

it came to pass. Compare 2 Kings 12:4 , 2 Kings 12:5 .

to repair. See 2 Chronicles 24:7 .

Verse 5

of all Israel. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .

money = silver.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 6

the king called. In the twenty-third year (2 Kings 12:6 ).

collection = the tribute of the half-shekel redemption money ( Exo 50:13-16 ). See App-51 .

Moses the servant of the LORD. See note on Deuteronomy 34:5 .

congregation = assembly.

tabernacle. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 .

Verse 7

sons of Athaliah. Ahaziah and his brethren before they were slain (2 Chronicles 21:17 ), which may have been allowed in consequence of their sin. Compare 2 Chronicles 21:10-12 .

that wicked woman. The term found only here.

dedicated = holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 9

Moses the servant of God. See note on 1 Chronicles 6:49 .

Verse 12

such as did the work . Hebrew text reads sing, "him who did". The Authorized Version, following some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, reads plural

Verse 13

by them: i.e. by their hand: i.e. by their direction.

Verse 15

an hundred and thirty years. Unprecedented since Joshua ( 2Ch 24:29 ). Born in Solomon's reign, he lived through six others.

Verse 16

among the kings. An honour refused to Joash. Compare 2 Chronicles 24:25 .

Verse 17

made obeisance. With the view of obtaining the king's consent to their renewal of idolatry.

Verse 18

groves. Hebrew. 'Asherah. See App-42 .

idols = grievous images.

wrath came. From Jehovah. Compare verses: 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 .

Verse 19

they testified against them. The Vulgate reads quos protestantes = who in protesting against them. Thus, the first instance of the word "Protestant" is found in the Vulgate, and not in the history of the Reformation. Pr o = for, and testans = witnessing, is positive, not negative. It denotes a witnessing for God and His truth, not merely against evil.

Verse 20

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

came upon = clothed.

Zechariah the son of Jehoiada . In Zechariah 1:1 and Matthew 23:35 a second name is given, "son of Barachias". On the use of two or more names see note on 1 Chronicles 25:11 . It is quite needless to assume that there is any error, when so simple a solution lies on the surface.

saith = hath said. A rare form of the verb.

Verse 21

stoned him. One of nine persons stoned. See note on Leviticus 24:14 .

at the commandment of the king. One of eleven rulers offended with God's servants. See note on Exodus 10:28 .

Verse 22

he: i.e. Zechariah.

and require it. The very words twice used by the Lord Jesus in Luke 11:50 , Luke 11:51 . Compare Matthew 23:35 .

Verse 23

host = force.

destroyed all the princes. Who had led the People astray. This is how the "wrath came "(2 Chronicles 24:18 ).

Verse 25

sons. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , for Jehoiada's one son: thus emphasizing the son who was slain (2 Chronicles 24:20-21 ). The Septuagint and Vulgate read it "son" (without the Figure of speech)

not in the sepulchres. As Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:27 ).

Verse 26

Zabad . . . Jehozabad. Slaves, but the executioners of God's judgment. Zabad had another name (Jozachar), used in 2 Kings 12:21 .

Shimrith. In 2 Kings 12:21 he has another name, "Shomer", if not his father's name.

Verse 27

burdens laid upon him. By the king of Syria (2 Kings 12:18 ). repairing (verses: 2 Chronicles 24:4-14 ).

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

story = the commentary. See note on 2 Chronicles 13:22 , the only other place in which the word is found.

his son. Not so in Israel. There they set up whom they chose (1 Kings 15:27 ; 1 Kings 16:15 , 1 Kings 16:22 ). Here is seen Jehovah's faithfulness, in "the sure mercies of David" (2 Samuel 7:16 . Psalms 89:34-36 ).