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2 Chronicles 24

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Young Joash Influenced by Jehoiada

1 1Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Zibiah from Beersheba.
2 2Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3 Jehoiada took two wives for him, and he became the father of sons and daughters.

Faithless Priests

4 Now it came about after this that Joash decided * * 3to restore the house of the LORD.
5 He gathered the priests and Levites and said to them, "Go out to the cities of Judah and collect money from all 4Israel to repair the house of your God annually *, and you shall do the matter quickly." But the Levites did not act quickly.
6 So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem 5the levy fixed by Moses the servant of the LORD on the congregation of Israel 6for the tent of the testimony?"
7 For 7the sons of the wicked Athaliah had broken into the house of God and even used the holy things of the house of the LORD for the Baals.

Temple Repaired

8 So the king commanded, and 8they made a chest and set it outside by the gate of the house of the LORD.
9 9They made a proclamation in Judah and Jerusalem to bring to the LORD 10the levy fixed by Moses the servant of God on Israel in the wilderness.
10 All the officers and all the people rejoiced and brought in their levies and dropped them into the chest until they had finished.
11 It came about whenever the chest was brought in to the king's officer by the Levites, and when 11they saw that there was much money, then the king's scribe and the chief priest's officer would come, empty the chest, take it, and return it to its place. Thus they did daily and collected much money.
12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of the LORD; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the LORD.
13 So the workmen labored, and the repair work progressed in their hands, and they restored the house of God according to its specifications and strengthened it.
14 When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada; and it was made into utensils for the house of the LORD, utensils for the service and the burnt offering, and pans and utensils of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15 Now when Jehoiada reached a ripe * old age he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old at his death.
16 They buried him 12in the city of David among the kings, because he had done well in 13Israel and to God and His house.
17 But after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them.
18 They abandoned 14the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and 15served the Asherim and the idols; so 16wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guilt.
19 Yet 17He sent prophets to them to bring them back to the LORD; though they testified against them, they would not listen.

Joash Murders Son of Jehoiada

20 18Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above * the people and said to them, "Thus God has said, '19Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper? 20Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.' "
21 So 21they conspired against him and at the command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the LORD.
22 Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which his father Jehoiada had shown him, but he murdered his son. And as he died he said, "May 22the LORD see and avenge!"

Aram Invades and Defeats Judah

23 Now it happened at the turn of the year that 23the army of the Arameans came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, destroyed all the officials of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.
24 Indeed the army of the Arameans came with a small number of men; yet 24the LORD delivered a very great army into their hands, 25because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. Thus they executed judgment on Joash.
25 26When they had departed from him (for they left him very sick ), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and murdered him on his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.
26 Now these are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.
27 As to his sons and the many oracles against him and 27the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the 28treatise of the Book of the Kings. Then Amaziah his son became king in his place.
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2 Chronicles 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

Joash, of Judah, The temple repaired. (1-14) Joash falls into idolatry, He is slain by his servants. (15-27)

Verses 1-14 Joash is more zealous about the repair of the temple than Jehoiada himself. It is easier to build temples, than to be temples to God. But the repairing of places for public worship is a good work, which all should promote. And many a good work would be done that now lies undone, if active men would put it forward.

Verses 15-27 See what a great judgment on any prince or people, the death of godly, zealous, useful men is. See how necessary it is that we act in religion from inward principle. Then the loss of a parent, a minister, or a friend, will not be losing our religion. Often both princes and inferior people have been flattered to their ruin. True grace alone will enable a man to bring forth fruit unto the end. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, being filled with the Spirit of prophecy, stood up, and told the people of their sin. This is the work of ministers, by the word of God, as a lamp and a light, to discover the sin of men, and expound the providences of God. They stoned Zechariah to death in the court of the house of the Lord. Observe the dying martyr's words: The Lord look upon it, and require it! This came not from a spirit of revenge, but a spirit of prophecy. God smote Joash with great diseases, of body, or mind, or both, before the Syrians departed from him. If vengeance pursue men, the end of one trouble will be but the beginning of another. His own servants slew him. These judgments are called the burdens laid upon him, for the wrath of God is a heavy burden, too heavy for any man to bear. May God help us to take warning, to be upright in heart, and to persevere in his ways to the end.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 28

Footnotes 18

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 24

This chapter begins with the reign of Joash king of Judah, son of Ahaziah, 2Ch 24:1-3, relates his concern and care to repair the temple, 2Ch 24:4-14, the death of Jehoiada the priest, during whose life he reigned well, but after his death sadly apostatized, 2Ch 24:15-19, for which, being reproved by Zechariah, he was so wroth with him as to order him to be stoned, 2Ch 24:20-22, wherefore for these evils enemies were raised up against him; he was smitten with diseases, and his servants conspired against him and slew him, and would not bury him among the kings, 2Ch 24:23-27.

This, and the following verse, are the same with 2Ki 11:21, 12:1,2 \\See Gill on "2Ki 11:21"\\. \\See Gill on "2Ki 12:1"\\. \\See Gill on "2Ki 12:2"\\. 19637-950120-2110-2Ch24.2

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

2 Chronicles 24 Commentaries

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