2 Chronicles 24:5 Ulasan

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).

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.

And the king called for Jehoiada the chief,.... Who was either the high priest, or the head of his course, or, however, the chief of the priests and Levites concerned in this affair, and, indeed, was the chief or prime minister of state: and said unto him, why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah, and out of Jerusalem, the collection; the money to repair the house they were ordered to collect, Ch2 25:6 according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness? for the repair of it, such as Moses required, and the people used to pay, referring to the half shekel; or to a freewill offering of the people, Moses enjoined or directed to.

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.

Gather of all Israel money - As the temple was the property of the whole nation, and the services performed in it were for the salvation of the people at large, it was right that each should come forward on an occasion of this kind, and lend a helping hand. This is the first instance of such a general collection for building or repairing a house of God. From year to year - It must have been in a state of great dilapidation, when it required such annual exertions to bring it into a thorough state of repair.

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.