2 Kings 12

Verse 2. Taught him. Joiada lived, at least, till the 23d year of the reign of Joas, (verse 6.) and the king seems to have persevered some time longer in virtue.

Verse 3. Places, to the true God, but contrary to his law. The king was deterred from overturning these altars, through human policy; which did not meet with the divine approbation. Calmet. See 3 Kennicott. 22:24. Deuteronomy 12:8.

Verse 4. Sanctified. That is, dedicated to God’s service. Challoner.—Lit. “of the holy” sanctorum. Bible.—For the use of the sanctuary.—Pass, as strangers, (3 Kennicott. 8:41) desiring sacrifice to be offered, (Grotius) or who pass in the roll of those who have attained their 20th year, and are obliged to pay half a sicle. Exodus 20:13, 14. This was the first fund which had been turned to a different purpose by the priests, ( Calmet.) under the wicked kings. Bible.—Soul. that is, the ordinary oblation, which every soul was to offer by the law. Exod. 30. Challoner.—Or, this was a second fund arising from the redemption of vows. Leviticus 21:2.—Lord. Voluntary contributions, like that of the widow, (Luke 21:2) were also recommended; and Joas sent Levites throughout the land, every year, to collect what they could, for the reparation of the temple. 2 Chronicles 24:5.

Verse 5. Order. Hebrew “acquaintance.” Let them receive the contributions on the spot where they reside; or, let those who are on duty in the temple take them. Calmet.—Thing. Hebrew “breach,” badek, a term which the Septuagint retain. Bible.

Verse 6. Temple. It is not known when the king gave his orders; but they were executed with negligence, as they seemed to interfere ( Calmet.) with the emoluments assigned by the law to the Levites. 2 Chronicles 24:5. Bible.—The latter Jews were obliged to pay half a sicle towards the repairs of the temple. Tirinus.

Verse 8. Forbidden. Hebrew Septuagint and so forth “And the priests consented to take no,” and so forth They were also obliged to restore what they had already received. Calmet.

Verse 9. By the altar, yet without the enclosure, that any person might freely put in what he thought proper. 2 Chronicles 24:8. Priests were still appointed to watch, that no fraud was committed: and they counted the money which the law ordained to be paid. Josephus (Bel. vi. 5.) speaks of many coffers; one might be near the altar, and another out of the door. Menochius.

Verse 10. Priest, or his deputy. Paral. Calmet.—Out. Prot. “put it up in bags,” ( Bible.) or tied and afterwards weighed it.

Verse 11. And they. The king and the high priest conjointly. Paral.

Verse 13. Bowls. Chal. “silver chalices.” The precise import of the Hebrew term is not well known. Menochius.—Lord. After the repairs were finished, the remaining money, which was very considerable, was however employed for these purposes, 2 Chronicles 24:14. Calmet. Menochius.

Verse 15. Faithfully, and corresponded with the trust reposed in them. Bible.

Verse 16. Sins. These terms seem to be synonymous, though they may be distinguished. Leviticus 4:2 and 5:15. If any one forgot to pay tithes, he was bound to make full reparation to the priests; (Tostat.) and the money which was given to them by strangers, to offer sacrifice, was not taken from them. Calmet.

Verse 17. Then. After the death of Joiada, the king gave way to the greatest excesses of idolatry, and even murdered the son of his greatest benefactor. Hereupon the justice of God fell heavy upon him; Geth was taken, Jerusalem only saved by giving up all the sacred treasures, and so forth: yea, the very next year, Hazael returned, routed the forces of Juda, and wounded the king, who on his return to the palace was murdered by conspirators, ( Calmet.) to revenge the death of Zacharias. 2 Chronicles 24:25. Joseph. ix. 8.

Verse 18. Joram, and so forth These are accused of plundering the temple, 2 Chronicles 24:7. But they might make some presents, through ostentation. How many rob the poor, while they erect magnificent altars to the God of the poor! Calmet.

Verse 20. Sella. A flight of steps leading to the temple. Bible.—The palace was at the bottom of it, and had been built by Solomon. Here Joas was slain in his bed. Paral.

Verse 21. Josachar, or Zabad, the son of Semmaath, an Ammonitess, and Jozabad, the son of Semarith, a Moabitess. Par. Both their mothers were of foreign extraction. Calmet.—People have frequently two names.—Somer is the father of Jozabad. Menochius.—David. Achaz was treated in like manner. The fear of this infamy might tend to keep the kings in awe. After death, the kings of Egypt might be accused, and deprived of sepulture, if their crimes deserved it: as many of them were. Diod. i. p. 46. Calmet.—Thus Joas was covered with eternal infamy, after he had begun so well. Finis coronat opus. Bible.