Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 12

Verse 2

all his days: i.e. all the days of Jehoiada. Compare 2 Chronicles 24:14-18 . Jehoiada. His uncle. See note on Jehosheba, 2 Kings 11:2 .

Verse 3

the high places. They were first abolished by Hezekiah, and then (after their revival by Manasseh) by Josiah. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis.

Verse 4

the priests. See note on Libnah, 2 Kings 8:22 .

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

the account. These italics are not needed. Hebrew. 'abar = to pass over.

that every man, &c. Hebrew "of the souls (= persons. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 ) of his [the priest's] valuation" (Leviticus 27:2-8 ).

Verse 8

consented = acquiesced. Hebrew. 'oth , a rare word, occurring only here and Genesis 34:15 , Genesis 34:22 , Genesis 34:23 .

Verse 9

bored a hole. There were two chests made on account of the slackness of the priests. The first by Jehoiada named here (in Kings), beside the altar of burnt-offering in the court. The other at the king's commandment without a hole bored (in 2 Chronicles 24:8 , 2 Chronicles 24:14 ), outside "at the gate". In the former there was not room enough for the vessels of the house; in the latter there was abundance for all.

Verse 10

told = counted.

Verse 11

being told = being weighed or balanced.

Verse 16

trespass. Hebrew. 'ashah. App-44 .

Verse 17

Oath. One of the five Philistine cities, to reach which Hazael must have passed through Israel. Probably connected, with his attacks on Jehu and Jehoahaz (2 Kings 10:32 ; 2 Kings 13:3 , 2 Kings 13:4 ).

to = against.

Verse 18

hallowed = set apart. Hebrew. kodesh. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

treasures = treasuries

Verse 19

the rest of the acts of Joash. His punishment is recorded in Kings; the causes of it are found in Chronicles. See note on "Kings" (p. 446). See the esoteric causes in 2 Chronicles 24:25 .

are they not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 20

slew Joash. See note on 2 Kings 8:26 .

Millo. See note on 1 Kings 9:15 . "The house" would be in connection with it.