II Kings 12 Commentary
In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer–sheba.
And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the Lord, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the Lord,
Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.
But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the Lord: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord.
And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king’s scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the Lord.
And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the Lord: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the Lord,
And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the Lord, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.
Howbeit there were not made for the house of the Lord bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the Lord:
But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the Lord.
Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the Lord: it was the priests’.
Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.
And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
II Kings 12 details the reign of Joash, king of Judah, highlighting both his commendable actions and his significant shortcomings. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that outward obedience without inward transformation is insufficient and that true faith requires consistent devotion and a heart wholly committed to God.
Joash's Initial Reign (II Kings 12:1-3)
Joash ascended to the throne at a young age, and II Kings 12:1 tells us he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. The text notes that he "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (II Kings 12:2). However, this righteousness was largely influenced by Jehoiada the priest, his mentor. As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash remained on a relatively righteous path (see also 2 Chronicles 24:15-25).
Despite his initial devotion, Joash failed to remove the high places where the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense (II Kings 12:3). Even if some worshiped the Lord at these sites, it was a direct violation of God's command to worship Him exclusively at the temple in Jerusalem. This reveals a critical flaw in Joash’s reign: his obedience was often superficial, lacking the deep-seated conviction that would lead to complete reformation.
This prompts us to consider the depth of our own faith. Is it merely an outward show, or does it penetrate to the core of our being, influencing every aspect of our lives?
Repairing the Temple (II Kings 12:4-16)
Despite his shortcomings, Joash initiated a much-needed renovation of the temple. By this time, the temple was approximately one hundred years old and required significant repairs. Joash's initial plan involved the priests collecting dedicated silver from offerings and using it to repair the temple (II Kings 12:4-5). However, the priests were slow to act, and after twenty-three years, little progress had been made.
Frustrated, Joash summoned Jehoiada and the priests, changing the approach to the temple repairs (II Kings 12:6-8). He implemented a new system: a chest with a hole in its lid was placed near the altar. The people would deposit their offerings directly into this chest (II Kings 12:9). The king's secretary and the high priest would then collect the money and distribute it to those overseeing the repair work (II Kings 12:10-11). This new system proved effective, and the repairs were completed with honesty and integrity (II Kings 12:15). This demonstrates Joash's ability to identify a problem and implement a practical solution, even if his initial plan was flawed.
The Downfall of Joash (II Kings 12:17-21)
The account in 2 Chronicles 24 provides further insight into Joash's tragic downfall. After the death of Jehoiada, Joash abandoned the Lord and began serving false gods. He even went so far as to murder Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who had rebuked him for his apostasy.
II Kings 12:17 describes an attack by King Hazael of Aram. This attack can be seen as God's judgment against Joash and Judah for their unfaithfulness (see 2 Chronicles 24:24). Instead of repenting and seeking God’s help, Joash resorted to a desperate measure: he used the treasures of the temple and the palace to bribe Hazael to withdraw (II Kings 12:18). This act highlights Joash's lack of faith and his reliance on worldly solutions rather than divine intervention.
This attempt to escape judgment proved futile. Joash's actions sowed the seeds of his own destruction. His servants conspired against him and assassinated him (II Kings 12:20-21). Joash, who had once shown promise, met a tragic end due to his ultimate failure to maintain a genuine and unwavering commitment to God.
Joash's story serves as a cautionary tale. We cannot outsmart God or escape His judgment through worldly schemes. The only true escape lies in repentance, faith, and a genuine turning to God. His life underscores the importance of spiritual mentorship and the devastating consequences of abandoning God's path.
In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer–sheba.
And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the Lord, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the Lord,
Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.
But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the Lord: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord.
And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king’s scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the Lord.
And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the Lord: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the Lord,
And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the Lord, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.
Howbeit there were not made for the house of the Lord bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the Lord:
But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the Lord.
Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the Lord: it was the priests’.
Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.
And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
II Kings 12 details the reign of Joash, king of Judah, highlighting both his commendable actions and his significant shortcomings. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that outward obedience without inward transformation is insufficient and that true faith requires consistent devotion and a heart wholly committed to God.
Joash's Initial Reign (II Kings 12:1-3)
Joash ascended to the throne at a young age, and II Kings 12:1 tells us he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. The text notes that he "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (II Kings 12:2). However, this righteousness was largely influenced by Jehoiada the priest, his mentor. As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash remained on a relatively righteous path (see also 2 Chronicles 24:15-25).
Despite his initial devotion, Joash failed to remove the high places where the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense (II Kings 12:3). Even if some worshiped the Lord at these sites, it was a direct violation of God's command to worship Him exclusively at the temple in Jerusalem. This reveals a critical flaw in Joash’s reign: his obedience was often superficial, lacking the deep-seated conviction that would lead to complete reformation.
This prompts us to consider the depth of our own faith. Is it merely an outward show, or does it penetrate to the core of our being, influencing every aspect of our lives?
Repairing the Temple (II Kings 12:4-16)
Despite his shortcomings, Joash initiated a much-needed renovation of the temple. By this time, the temple was approximately one hundred years old and required significant repairs. Joash's initial plan involved the priests collecting dedicated silver from offerings and using it to repair the temple (II Kings 12:4-5). However, the priests were slow to act, and after twenty-three years, little progress had been made.
Frustrated, Joash summoned Jehoiada and the priests, changing the approach to the temple repairs (II Kings 12:6-8). He implemented a new system: a chest with a hole in its lid was placed near the altar. The people would deposit their offerings directly into this chest (II Kings 12:9). The king's secretary and the high priest would then collect the money and distribute it to those overseeing the repair work (II Kings 12:10-11). This new system proved effective, and the repairs were completed with honesty and integrity (II Kings 12:15). This demonstrates Joash's ability to identify a problem and implement a practical solution, even if his initial plan was flawed.
The Downfall of Joash (II Kings 12:17-21)
The account in 2 Chronicles 24 provides further insight into Joash's tragic downfall. After the death of Jehoiada, Joash abandoned the Lord and began serving false gods. He even went so far as to murder Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who had rebuked him for his apostasy.
II Kings 12:17 describes an attack by King Hazael of Aram. This attack can be seen as God's judgment against Joash and Judah for their unfaithfulness (see 2 Chronicles 24:24). Instead of repenting and seeking God’s help, Joash resorted to a desperate measure: he used the treasures of the temple and the palace to bribe Hazael to withdraw (II Kings 12:18). This act highlights Joash's lack of faith and his reliance on worldly solutions rather than divine intervention.
This attempt to escape judgment proved futile. Joash's actions sowed the seeds of his own destruction. His servants conspired against him and assassinated him (II Kings 12:20-21). Joash, who had once shown promise, met a tragic end due to his ultimate failure to maintain a genuine and unwavering commitment to God.
Joash's story serves as a cautionary tale. We cannot outsmart God or escape His judgment through worldly schemes. The only true escape lies in repentance, faith, and a genuine turning to God. His life underscores the importance of spiritual mentorship and the devastating consequences of abandoning God's path.