2 Kings 12:17

17 Around this time Hazael king of Aram ventured out and attacked Gath, and he captured it. Then he decided to try for Jerusalem.

2 Kings 12:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 12:17

Then Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath, and
took it
When Jehoiada was dead, and Jehoash was become an apostate, the Lord suffered the king of Syria to be a scourge to him; who first attacked Gath, and took it, which was formerly one of the principalities of the Philistines, but was subdued by David, and had been in the hands of the Israelites ever since; the king of Syria began with this, as nearest to him, to open the way for what he had further in view:

and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem;
he made such preparations, and took such measures, as plainly indicated what his design was.

2 Kings 12:17 In-Context

15 And no one even had to check on the men who handled the money given for the project - they were honest men.

16 Offerings designated for Compensation Offerings and Absolution Offerings didn't go into the building project - those went directly to the priests.

17 Around this time Hazael king of Aram ventured out and attacked Gath, and he captured it. Then he decided to try for Jerusalem.

18 Joash king of Judah countered by gathering up all the sacred memorials - gifts dedicated for holy use by his ancestors, the kings of Judah, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, along with the holy memorials he himself had received, plus all the gold that he could find in the temple and palace storerooms - and sent it to Hazael king of Aram. Appeased, Hazael went on his way and didn't bother Jerusalem.

19 The rest of the life and times of Joash and all that he did are written in The Chronicles of the Kings of Judah.