1 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 Beersheba.
2 And Jehoash did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
3 But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
4 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,
5 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.
6 But it was [so, that] in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.
7 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.
8 And the priests consented to receive no [more] money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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,
12 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].
13 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:
14 But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.
15 Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
16 The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests’.
17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
18 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.
19 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?
20 And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.
21 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.
Overview of 2 Kings Chapter 12
2 Kings Chapter 12 recounts the reign of King Joash (also known as Jehoash) of Judah, his efforts in restoring the temple, and the political and religious reforms he initiated. The chapter also highlights the challenges faced during his reign, including the influence of the high priest Jehoiada and the eventual decline of Joash’s faithfulness to God.
Key Themes
- Restoration of the Temple: The chapter emphasizes the importance of the temple as a central place of worship and the need for its maintenance.
- Leadership and Influence: Joash’s reliance on Jehoiada showcases the impact of wise counsel and mentorship in leadership.
- Faithfulness and Apostasy: The chapter illustrates the tension between faithfulness to God and the temptation to stray from His commandments.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-3: Joash’s Reign Begins
Joash becomes king at the age of seven and reigns for 40 years in Jerusalem. His reign is characterized by a commitment to God during the lifetime of Jehoiada, the high priest. The text notes that Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, which sets the stage for his actions concerning the temple.
Verses 4-12: The Temple Restoration Fund
Joash initiates a plan to collect funds for the restoration of the temple. He commands the priests to take the money from the people for repairs. The following points summarize this initiative:
- Joash establishes a system for collecting money dedicated to the temple.
- The priests are instructed to use this money for the necessary repairs.
- Joash’s commitment to restoring the temple reflects his desire to honor God and revitalize worship practices.
Verses 13-16: The Priests’ Accountability
The chapter notes that the priests did not account for the money they received, which raises issues of accountability and transparency in leadership. Joash’s response is to appoint a trustworthy treasurer to oversee the funds, ensuring that the temple repairs are conducted properly. This highlights the importance of integrity in leadership roles.
Verses 17-18: Conflict with Hazael of Aram
As Joash focuses on temple restoration, he faces external threats, particularly from Hazael, the king of Aram. Joash sends gifts to Hazael to deter his invasion, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to foreign relations. This moment reflects the geopolitical challenges faced by Judah during Joash’s reign.
Verses 19-21: The Downfall of Joash
The chapter concludes with a somber note regarding Joash’s eventual downfall. After the death of Jehoiada, Joash turns away from the Lord and leads the people into idolatry. This shift marks a significant turning point in his reign and serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of faithfulness.
Conclusion
2 Kings Chapter 12 provides a multifaceted view of King Joash’s reign, highlighting both his initial faithfulness and the eventual decline into apostasy. The chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of strong leadership, accountability, and the dangers of straying from one’s commitment to God.
