Bible Commentaries

2 Kings 12. Reign of Joash and his Repair of the Temple.

2 Kings 12:1-3 is in the usual annalistic style of the Deuteronomist. It is followed by a curious extract from the Temple records (2 Kings 12:4 ff.), similar to those found in 2 Kings 16:10-18 and 2 Kings 22:3 to 2 Kings 23:24. This relates to the provision of money for the repair of the Temple. Two things deserve attention (2 Kings 12:4). The first is that the sources of the Temple revenue are given as (a) an assessment on each individual (cf. Leviticus 27:2) and (b) voluntary offerings. The second is the part taken by the king. Jehoash (for so Joash is here termed) takes the lead throughout; the priests are merely his servants. Even Jehoiada (here called the "high priest"; see on 2 Kings 11:4) is quite subordinate to the king. In all the Temple records in Kings the sanctuary is under the king's absolute control. This representation is carefully corrected in the parallel passages in Chronicles, where the priests and Levites are given more prominence. But even there we can see that, as at Bethel, so at Jerusalem, the Temple was "the king's chapel" (Amos 7:13).

2 Kings 12:17-21. Hazael, king of Syria (cf. 2 Kings 10:32, 2 Kings 13:3) extended his ravages into Judah, and was bought off by Temple treasures. Joash, like his son Amaziah (2 Kings 14:19), was murdered in a conspiracy. In 2 Chronicles 24:19 ff. Hazael's invasion and the murder of Joash are represented as punishments for his refusal to listen to Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, and causing him to be stoned.