2 Kings 12:1-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 12:1-3

The general account here given of Joash is, 1. That he reigned forty years. As he began his reign when he was very young, he might, in the course of nature, have continued much longer, for he was cut off when he was but forty-seven years old, 2 Kgs. 12:1. 2. That he did that which was right as long as Jehoiada lived to instruct him, 2 Kgs. 12:2. Many young men have come too soon to an estate?have had wealth, and power, and liberty, before they knew how to use them?and it has been of bad... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 12:4-16

We have here an account of the repairing of the temple in the reign of Joash. I. It seems, the temple had gone out of repair. Though Solomon built it very strong, of the best materials and in the best manner, yet in time it went to decay, and there were breaches found in it (2 Kgs. 12:5), in the roofs, or walls, or floors, the ceiling, or wainscoting, or windows, or the partitions of the courts. Even temples themselves are the worse for the wearing; but the heavenly temple will never wax old.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:1

In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign ,.... So that he reigned twenty one or twenty two years contemporary with Jehu's reign, for Jehu reigned twenty eight years: and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem ; the same number of years David and Solomon reigned: and his mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba ; a city in the tribe of Simeon, in the extreme part of the land of Canaan southward; her name in the Chaldee dialect is Tabitha, the same with Dorcas in Greek, Acts 9:36 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:2

And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days ,.... Worshipping the only true God, and ruling and walking according to the law of God: wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him ; and so long as he observed his instructions, and as long as that priest lived, he reigned well; for to that period "all his days must be limited"; for after his death he was seduced by the princes of Judah to idolatry, and lived scandalously, and died ignominiously; see 2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:3

But the high places were not taken away ,.... Used before the temple was built, or set up in Rehoboam's time, 1 Kings 14:23 contrary to the law of God, which required that sacrifices should only be offered in the place the Lord chose to dwell in, Deuteronomy 12:4 the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places; as they had done in the times of Athaliah, and though the pure worship of God was restored at Jerusalem; and indeed this they did in all preceding reigns; nor was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:4

And Jehoash said to the priests ,.... Being minded or having it in his heart, to repair the temple, as in 2 Chronicles 24:4 not only because it was the sanctuary of the Lord, though that chiefly, but because it had been a sanctuary to him, where he was hid and preserved six years: all the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the Lord : or rather, "that is to be brought", as De Dieu, and others render it, the particulars of which follow: even the money of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:5

Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance ,.... Of those that were most known by them; for the priests had cities assigned them in several parts of the land, and they that dwelt with them in them, or in the parts adjacent to them, were best known by them; and they were sent into all the cities, some to one and some to another, where they were most acquainted, to collect money, both what was due by law, and what the people should freely give, see 2 Chronicles 24:5 . ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:6

But it was so, that in the twenty and third year of King Jehoash, the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house. Either the people being backward to pay in the money, or the priests converted it to their own use: or, however, were negligent of doing the work enjoined them by the king, either in collecting the money, or in using it as they were directed. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:7

Then King Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests ,.... The common priests, Jehoiada being high priest: and said unto them, why repair ye not the breaches of the house ? in which they appeared to him very dilatory; the reason might be, the people were not forward to pay in their money, and they might not choose to begin the repairs until they had got it all in, or at least what was sufficient to carry them through them: now therefore receive no more money of your... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 12:8

And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people ,.... And delivered up what they had: neither to repair the breaches of the house ; being very willing to be stop both services, and especially since they seemed to be suspected. read more

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