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
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
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
But Jehoiada the priest took a chest ,.... By the commandment of the king, 2 Chronicles 24:8 , to put the money collected into, to prevent any fraud, or suspicion of any: and bored a hole in the lid of it ; to drop the money into, by which means it could not be taken out without taking off the lid: and set it beside the altar ; the altar of burnt offering, in the court: on the right side, as one cometh into the house of the Lord ; that is, on the north; for the entrance into... read more
And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest ,.... Which might easily be guessed at by the number of the people which contributed: that the king's and the high priest came up ; to the temple; the high priest did not choose to come alone, lest he should be suspected, but to have the king's secretary with him, that the money might be taken out of the chest, and told in the presence of them both: in 2 Chronicles 24:11 instead of the "high priest", it is the "high... read more
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 ,.... Who were appointed overseers of the workmen employed in the repairs of the temple; which overseers were laymen, and not priests, they being discharged from any concern in the repairs: this money "told", Kimchi interprets of its being coined; he supposes money coined and uncoined to be brought, which was put in separate bags; and that, which was not coined, they... read more
And to masons, and hewers of stone ,.... Which they cut out of the mountain, and the masons repaired the stone walls with: and to buy timber ; felled in Lebanon: and hewed stone ; fitted for building with: to repair the breaches of the house of the Lord ; where both timber and stone were wanting: and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it ; in whatsoever else it needed, as iron and brass to mend it, 2 Chronicles 24:12 . read more
Howbeit there were not made for the house of the Lord, bowls of silver ,.... Either to hold the blood of the sacrifices, or the drink offerings of wine: snuffers ; to trim the lamps; or, as Jarchi and other writers, both Jewish and Christian, musical instruments: basins ; vessels to sprinkle the blood with, as the word signifies: trumpets ; silver ones, to call the assembly, blow over the sacrifices, &c.; any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver ; for any other use:... read more
But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the Lord. They took care that the workmen should first be paid for the repairs of the temple. read more
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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