And the rest of the acts of Jehoash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? In the registers and annals of those princes; some of them are to be met with in 2 Chronicles 24:1 . read more
And his servants arose ,.... This was after he had slain Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, who reproved him for his idolatry; and after a second expedition of the king of Syria, who came to Jerusalem, and spoiled it, and left Jehoash diseased, as is recorded in 2 Chronicles 24:23 , and made a conspiracy ; not to get the kingdom into their hands, for his son succeeded him, but to avenge the death of Zechariah: and slew Jehoash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla ; these... read more
For Jozachar the son of Shimeath ,.... Said to be an Ammonitess, and this man's name Zabad, 2 Chronicles 24:26 , and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants ; who is said in the same place to be the son of Shimrith a Moabitess: these smote him, and he died ; justly did he fall by the hands of such persons for his idolatry: and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David ; but not in the sepulchres of the kings, because of his idolatry and murder of a priest of the... read more
The rest of the acts of Joash - We have already seen that this man, so promising in the beginning of his reign, apostatized, became an idolater, encouraged idolatry among his subjects, and put the high priest Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada his benefactor, to death; and now God visited that blood upon him by the hands of the tyrannous king of Syria, and by his own servants. read more
The house of Millo - Was a royal palace, built by David; (see 2 Samuel 5:9 ;); and Silla is supposed to be the name of the road or causeway that led to it. Millo was situated between the old city of Jerusalem, and the city of David. read more
For Jozachar - This person is called Zabad in 2 Chronicles 24:26 ; and Shimeath his mother is said to be an Ammonitess, as Jehozabad is said to be the son, not of Shomer, but of Shimrith, a Moabitess. They buried him with his fathers in the city of David - But they did not bury him in the sepulchres of the kings; this is supposed to express the popular disapprobation of his conduct. Thus ended a reign full of promise and hope in the beginning, but profligate,... read more
THE REIGN OF JOASH . THE REPAIR OF THE TEMPLE . WAR OF JOASH WITH HAZAEL , AND HIS DEATH BY A CONSPIRACY . read more
The history of Joash. "In the seventh year," etc. The whole story of Joash is soon told. He was a son of Ahaziah, and the only one of his children who escaped the murderous policy of Athaliah. "It would seem that this child, whom the pity and affection of a pious aunt (Jehosheba) had preserved, was the only surviving male representative of the line of Solomon. Jehoram, his grandfather, who married Athaliah, in order to strengthen his position on the throne, slew all his brethren, and all his... read more
The last days of Joash. He began well, but ended badly. The close of the reign of Joash is a melancholy contrast to its beginning. In a most remarkable way preserved, by the providence of God and the kindness of a God-fearing woman, from the massacre of his brothers; then kept safe in the house of the Lord for six years of his helpless childhood;—one would think he would never have forgotten how much he owed to the watchful care and goodness of God. He had been surrounded with good... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 12:17-21
When Joash had revolted from God and become both an idolater and a persecutor the hand of the Lord went out against him, and his last state was worse than his first. I. His wealth and honour became an easy prey to his neighbours. Hazael, when he had chastised Israel (2 Kgs. 10:32), threatened Judah and Jerusalem likewise, took Gath, a strong city (2 Kgs. 12:17), and thence intended to march with his forces against Jerusalem, the royal city, the holy city, but whose defence, on account of its... read more