2 Kings 12:5

5 The priests should take the money from their donors and use it to repair the temple wherever such a need for repair is discovered."

2 Kings 12:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 12:5

Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance,
&c.] Of those that were most known by them; for the priests had cities assigned them in several parts of the land, and they that dwelt with them in them, or in the parts adjacent to them, were best known by them; and they were sent into all the cities, some to one and some to another, where they were most acquainted, to collect money, both what was due by law, and what the people should freely give, see ( 2 Chronicles 24:5 )

and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach
shall be found:
that is, of the temple, which, according to the Jewish chronology ^F9, had been built but one hundred and fifty five years; and being built very strong, would have needed no considerable repairs as yet, but that it had been broken up and misused by Athaliah and her sons, ( 2 Chronicles 24:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 18.

2 Kings 12:5 In-Context

3 However, the shrines were not removed. People kept sacrificing and burning incense at them.

4 Jehoash said to the priests, "Collect all the currently available money relating to holy things that is brought to the temple-some is money people pay to redeem persons according to their assessed value. Collect all the money brought to the LORD's temple that people offer voluntarily.

5 The priests should take the money from their donors and use it to repair the temple wherever such a need for repair is discovered."

6 But by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, the priests still hadn't repaired the temple.

7 So King Jehoash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests together. "Why haven't you repaired the temple?" he asked them. "Stop taking money from your donors; instead, give it directly for temple repairs."