2 Chronicles 24

1 Yo'ash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Yerushalayim: and his mother's name was Tzivyah, of Be'er-Sheva.

2 Yo'ash did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Yehoiada the Kohen.

3 Yehoiada took for him two wives; and he became the father of sons and daughters.

4 It happened after this, that Yo'ash was minded to restore the house of the LORD.

5 He gathered together the Kohanim and the Levites, and said to them, Go out to the cities of Yehudah, and gather of all Yisra'el money to repair the house of your God from year to year; and see that you hasten the matter. However the Levites didn't hurry.

6 The king called for Yehoiada the chief, and said to him, Why haven't you required of the Levites to bring in out of Yehudah and out of Yerushalayim the tax of Moshe the servant of the LORD, and of the assembly of Yisra'el, for the tent of the testimony?

7 For the sons of `Atalyah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow on the Ba`alim.

8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of the house of the LORD.

9 They made a proclamation through Yehudah and Yerushalayim, to bring in for the LORD the tax that Moshe the servant of God laid on Yisra'el in the wilderness.

10 All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.

11 It was so, that whenever the chest was brought to the king's officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's Sofer and the chief Kohen's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.

12 The king and Yehoiada gave it to such as 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 such as worked iron and brass to repair the house of the LORD.

13 So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it.

14 When they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Yehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels with which to minister and to offer, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Yehoiada.

15 But Yehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; one hundred thirty years old was he when he died.

16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Yisra'el, and toward God and his house.

17 Now after the death of Yehoiada came the princes of Yehudah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king listened to them.

18 They forsook the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols: and wrath came on Yehudah and Yerushalayim for this their guiltiness.

19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

20 The Spirit of God came on Zekharyah the son of Yehoiada the Kohen; and he stood above the people, and said to them, Thus says God, Why disobey you the mitzvot of the LORD, so that you can't prosper? because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you.

21 They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the mitzvah of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

22 Thus Yo'ash the king didn't remember the kindness which Yehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, the LORD look on it, and require it.

23 It happened at the end of the year, that the army of the Aram came up against him: and they came to Yehudah and Yerushalayim, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Dammesek.

24 For the army of the Aram came with a small company of men; and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Yo'ash.

25 When they were departed for him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Yehoiada the Kohen, and killed him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they didn't bury him in the tombs of the kings.

26 These are those who conspired against him: Zavad the son of Shim`at the `Ammonite, and Yehozavad the son of Shimrit the Mo'avite.

27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens [laid] on him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amatzyah his son reigned in his place.

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.

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