Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 12

Introduction

2 KINGS Chapter 12

Jehoash reigneth well all the days of Jehoiada: he giveth order for the repair of the temple, 2 Kings 12:1-16.

He diverteth Hazael from Jerusalem by a present of the hallowed treasures: he is slain by his servants: Amaziah suceedeth him, 2 Kings 12:17-21.

Verse 2

To wit, for the matter of it, though not with an honest and sincere mind, but only by the influence of his good tutor and restorer, as the words here following plainly imply.

Verse 3

The people were so fondly and strangely addicted to

the high places, that the foregoing kings, though men of riper years, and great power and courage, and finally settled in their thrones, could not take them away; and therefore it is not strange if Jehoiada could not now remove them, when the king was very young and tender, and not well settled in his kingdom, and when the people were more corrupt and disorderly through Athaliah’s maladministration.

Sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places to God.

Verse 4

Remembering that he owed his preservation and restoration to the temple, and that he was made by God the guardian of his temple and worship, and that he had covenanted to be so, Jehoash now takes care to repair it.

All the money of the dedicated things: this may be, either, first, The general designation of the money, the particulars whereof here follow. Or rather, secondly, A special branch of it, the money which had been either formerly or lately vowed or dedicated to the use and service of God and of his house, either by the former kings; of which see below, 2 Kings 12:18, and compare 1 Kings 7:51; 1 Kings 15:15; 2 Kings 12:18; 2 Chronicles 15:8; or by this king or his people.

That is brought, or rather, that shall be brought; for though the people might vow to bring it thither in convenient time, yet it is not likely they would bring much money thither in the tyrannical and idolatrous reign of Athaliah; or if they did, that Athaliah would not seize it for her own use.

The money of every one that passeth the account, i.e. the half shekel, which was paid for every one that was numbered from twenty years old and upward; of which the very same phrase is used Exodus 30:13 compare 2 Chronicles 24:5,2 Chronicles 24:6,2 Chronicles 24:9.

The money that every man is set at, Heb. the money of souls, or persons, according to his taxing, i.e. the money which every man that had vowed his person to God paid according to the rate which the priest put upon him; of which see Leviticus 27:2, &c.

All the money that cometh into any man’s heart; all that shall be freely offered. See Exodus 25:2; Exodus 35:5.

Verse 5

Let the priests take it to them; let them go abroad through all the parts of the land, as they have acquaintance and interest, and gather up the money, and bring it to Jerusalem.

Wheresoever any breach shall be found; either through decay, or by ill accidents, or by the malice of Athaliah or her relations; of which see 2 Chronicles 24:7.

Verse 6

Either because the people were generally corrupt and backward to the worship of God, especially where it cost them any thing; or because the persons employed in making the collections were negligent, or unfaithful, perverting the money received to their own uses, as may seem probable from the contrary character of other persons, of whom it is noted that they dealt faithfully, below, 2 Kings 12:15; or because the people did not like this way of collection, and had no good opinion of the collectors’ faithfulness.

Verse 7

i.e. The money which you have already received.

Verse 8

Nor to take the charge of that work which the king had committed unto them, but freely to resign it to whom the king should appoint.

Verse 9

Jehoiada the priest, by the king’s consent, 2 Chronicles 24:8.

Beside the altar, in the priests’ court.

Object. It was placed without at the gate of the house of the Lord, 2 Chronicles 24:8.

Answ. Either, first, It was first placed by the altar, and afterwards thence removed to the gate of the court, for the people’s greater satisfaction, that they might come thither, and put in their money with their own hands. Or, secondly, That place 2 Chron speaks of the gate of the temple strictly so called, nigh unto which the altar of burnt-offerings was. Or, thirdly, It was placed near the entrance into the priests’ court, which was over against the altar, and not far from it; so as the people standing in their own court might either put their money into it, or see when the priests put it in.

The priests that kept the door; the door of the priests’ court, which, together with the temple and all its utensils, was committed to the charge of the priests and Levites, Numbers 18:4; 1 Chronicles 9:26, &c.

Verse 10

The king’s scribe, who kept an exact account hereof in writing. See 2 Kings 19:2; 2 Kings 22:3.

Verse 11

Them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the Lord; who were chosen out of the people, not without a reflection upon the priests for their neglect or unfaithfulness.

Verse 12

And for all other things which were necessary for the reparation of the house.

Verse 13

There were not made, to wit, until all the breaches of the house were repaired; but when that was done, they laid it out for these things, as is noted, 2 Chronicles 24:14.

Verse 15

For they perceived by many experiments that they were faithful.

Verse 16

i.e. It was not employed towards the reparation of the house, because, as it follows, it was the priests’; it was given to them for their private use and maintenance.

Quest. If this reason was weighty, how could the money of them that passed the account, or the money that every man was set at, be thus employed, as they were, 2 Kings 12:4, for these also may seem to have been the priests’?

Answ. They were not appropriated to the priests, but for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, as is said of the former, Exodus 30:16; or, for the Lord, Leviticus 27:2,Leviticus 27:9,Leviticus 27:14,Leviticus 27:23.

Verse 17

Then, i.e. in this king’s days, when Jehoiada was dead, and Joash revolted from God; of which see 2 Chronicles 24:17 &c. Gath; once a city of the Philistines, but taken by David, 1 Chronicles 18:1, and now a part of the kingdom of Judah.

Set his face, i.e. directed his march, and led his forces. Or, undertook in good earnest. So the same phrase is used 2 Chronicles 20:3; Jeremiah 21:10; Ezekiel 35:2.

Verse 18

Took all the hallowed things: that necessity of saving his kingdom and people by this means, which otherwise might seem to excuse the fact, was brought upon himself by his apostacy from God. See Poole "1 Kings 15:18".

Verse 20

Made a conspiracy; of which see 2 Chronicles 24:25.

In the house of Millo; either in that strong and famous place in Jerusalem called Millo; of which see 2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 9:15,1 Kings 9:24; 1 Kings 11:27; into which he possibly retired for his security, being afraid even of his own subjects and servants; or in some other place called by the same name, for some resemblance it had with it.

Which goeth down to Silla, i.e. which standeth upon the descent to Silla, or upon that descending causeway which leadeth from Millo to the king’s house. Some refer this to Joash, and render the place thus, they slew him at or near the house of Millo, descending, or as he was going down to Silla, to escape their hands.

Verse 21

Jozachar, called also Zabad, 2 Chronicles 24:26. Silomer, called Shimrith, 2 Chronicles 24:26; except Shomer be the father’s name, and Shimrith the mother’s.

With his fathers, i.e. in the same city, but not in the same royal sepulchre, 2 Chronicles 24:25.