2 Cronache 24:1 Commento

We have here the history of the reign of Joash, the progress of which, and especially its termination, were not of a piece with its beginning, nor shone with so much lustre. How wonderfully he was preserved for the throne, and placed in it, we read before; now here we are told how he began in the spirit, but ended in the flesh. I. In the beginning of his time, while Jehoiada lived, he did well; particularly, he took care to put the temple in good repair (Ch2 24:1-14). II. In the latter end of his time, after Jehoiada's death, he apostatized from God, and his apostasy was his ruin. 1. He set up the worship of Baal again (Ch2 24:15-18), though warned to the contrary (Ch2 24:19). 2. He put Zechariah the prophet to death because he reproved him for what he had done (Ch2 24:20-22). 3. The judgments of God came upon him for it. The Syrians invaded him (Ch2 24:23, Ch2 24:24). He was struck with sore diseases; his own servants conspired against him and slew him; and, as a mark of infamy upon him, he was not buried in the burying-place of the kings (Ch2 24:25-27).

This account of Joash's good beginnings we had as it stands here Kg2 12:1, etc., though the latter part of this chapter, concerning his apostasy, we had little of there. What is good in men we should take all occasions to speak of and often repeat it; what is evil we should make mention of but sparingly, and no more than is needful. We shall here only observe, 1. That it is a happy thing for young people, when they are setting out in the world, to be under the direction of those that are wise and good and faithful to them, as Joash was under the influence of Jehoiada, during whose time he did that which was right. Let those that are young reckon it a blessing to them, and not a burden and check upon them, to have those with them that will caution them against that which is evil and advise and quicken them to that which is good; and let them reckon it not a mark of weakness and subjection, but of wisdom and discretion, to hearken to such. He that will not be counselled cannot be helped. It is especially prudent for young people to take advice in their marriages, as Joash did, who left it to his guardian to choose him his wives, because Jezebel and Athaliah had been such plagues, Ch2 24:3. This is a turn of life which often proves either the making or marring of young people, and therefore should be attended to with great care. 2. Men may go far in the external performances of religion, and keep long to them, merely by the power of their education and the influence of their friends, who yet have no hearty affection for divine things nor any inward relish of them. Foreign inducements may push men on to that which is good who are not actuated by a living principle of grace in their hearts. 3. In the outward expressions of devotion it is possible that those who have only the form of godliness may out-strip those who have the power of it. Joash is more solicitous and more zealous about the repair of the temple than Jehoiada himself, whom he reproves for his remissness in that matter, Ch2 24:6. It is easier to build temples than to be temples to God. 4. The repairing of churches is a good work, which all in their places should promote, for the decency and conveniency of religious assemblies. The learned tell us that in the Christian church, anciently, part of the tithes were applied that way. 5. Many a good work would be done that now lies undone if there were but a few active men to stir in it and to put it forward. When Joash found the money did not come in as he expected in one way he tried another way, and that answered the intention. Many have honesty enough to follow that have not zeal enough to lead in that which is good. The throwing of money into a chest, through a hole in the lid of it, was a way that had not been used before, and perhaps the very novelty of the thing made it a successful expedient for the raising of money; a great deal was thrown in and with a great deal of cheerfulness: they all rejoiced, Ch2 24:10. An invention to please people's humour may sometimes bring them to their duty. Wisdom herein is profitable to direct. 6. Faithfulness is the greatest praise and will be the greatest comfort of those that are entrusted with public treasure or employed in public business. The king and Jehoiada faithfully paid the money to the workmen, who faithfully did the work, Ch2 24:12, Ch2 24:13.

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 24 This chapter begins with the reign of Joash king of Judah, son of Ahaziah, Ch2 24:1, relates his concern and care to repair the temple, Ch2 24:4, the death of Jehoiada the priest, during whose life he reigned well, but after his death sadly apostatized, Ch2 24:15, for which, being reproved by Zechariah, he was so wroth with him as to order him to be stoned, Ch2 24:20, 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, Ch2 24:23.

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign,.... This, and the following verse, are the same with Kg2 11:21. See Gill on Kg2 12:1. See Gill on Kg2 12:2. . 2 Chronicles 24:3 ch2 24:3 ch2 24:3 ch2 24:3And Jehoiada took for him two wives,.... Not for himself; he had a wife who was aunt to King Joash, and he had sons who were concerned with him in anointing him, Ch2 22:11 and was now upwards of one hundred years of age; but for the king, when he was at an age fit for marriage, he advised him to marry, and proposed wives to him, whom he thought would be agreeable; for, observing what mischief was done both in church and state through Jehoram's marrying Athaliah, he was desirous of preventing any such disagreeable marriage; and as the young king was in all things guided and directed by him, so he was in this; and no doubt they were good women he pitched upon, and proposed to the king; one of them was Jehoadan, Ch2 25:1, but the name of the other we know not: and he begat sons and daughters; how many is not said, nor do we read of the names of any of them, but of Amaziah who succeeded him.

If in a small parish one advanced in years is not to be found, let some younger person who has a good report among his neighbors and is esteemed by them worthy of the office of a bishop—who has carried himself from his youth with meekness and regularity, like a much elder person—after examination and a general good report, be ordained in peace.… Joash governed the people at seven years of age. Wherefore, although the person is young, let him be meek, gentle and quiet.

Joash begins to reign when seven years old, and reigns well all the days of Jehoiada the priest, Ch2 24:1-3. He purposes to repair the temple of God; and makes a proclamation that the people should bring in the money prescribed by Moses, Ch2 24:4-9. They all contribute liberally; and the different artificers soon perfect the work, Ch2 24:10-13. The rest of the money is employed to form utensils for the temple, Ch2 24:14. Jehoiada dies, Ch2 24:15, Ch2 24:16. And the people after his death become idolaters, Ch2 24:17, Ch2 24:18. Prophets are sent unto them, Ch2 24:19. And among the rest Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, who testifies against them; and they stone him to death, Ch2 24:20-22. The Syrians come against Jerusalem, and spoil it, Ch2 24:23, Ch2 24:24. Joash is murdered by his own servants, Ch2 24:25, Ch2 24:26. His acts, Ch2 24:27.

Joash was seven years old - As he was hidden six years in the temple, and was but seven when he came to the throne, he could have been but one year old when he was secreted by his aunt; see on Ch2 22:10 (note).

JOASH REIGNS WELL ALL THE DAYS OF JEHOIADA. (Ch2 24:1-14) Joash . . . began to reign--(See on Kg2 12:1-3).

The statement as to the duration and spirit of the reign agrees with Kg2 14:1-6, except that in Ch2 25:2 the estimation of the spirit of the reign according to the standard of David, "only not as his ancestor David, but altogether as his father Joash did," which we find in the book of Kings, is replaced by "only not with a perfect heart;" and the standing formula, "only the high places were not removed," etc., is omitted.