Ver. 1. Forty years reigned he in Jerusalem.] A great part of these years, Jehoiada lived with him; and so long, did he not “eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?” as Jeremiah 22:15.
Ver. 2. All his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.] As when Jehoiada died, Jehoash revolted from the Lord. Nero, while he would be instructed by Seneca and Burrhus, was of so good a carriage that Trajan was wont to say, None ever came near him; but this lasted for five years only. In Apostatis— “ Principium fervet, medium tepet, exitus alger. ”
Ver. 3. But the high places.] Tyrannus ille trium literarum, mos; Custom had so prevailed, that Jehoiada durst not advise the king to cross the people in this superstition, lest it should cause a tumult; lest they should more regard commotioners than commissioners, and be more guided by rage, than by right; violence and obstinacy, like two untamed horses, drawing their desires in a blindfold career, as it fell out here in England when King Edward VI began to reform.
Ver. 4. And Jehoash said to the priests.] His first care was the repair of the temple, where he had been so long hid and preserved to the crown. All the money of the dedicated things.] Heb., Money of holinesses; contrary whereunto is the mammon of iniquity. (Luke 16:11) The money of every one that passeth the account.] The half shekel, (Exodus 30:12,13, &c.) paid by all above twenty, as a perpetual poll money, to the use of the tabernacle and temple, called the collection of Moses. (2 Chronicles 24:6) The Pope had here his Peter’s pence—and Polydor Virgil was his collector—so long as it held. The money that every man is set at.] See Leviticus 27:2, &c. Redemption money. And all the money that cometh into any man’s heart.] Freewill offerings; for God straineth upon no man. See Exodus 35:5, &c. Hereunto the priests were in all places to exhort those that they knew. (2 Chronicles 24:5)
Ver. 5. And let them repair the breaches of the house.] Labes domus, rupturas, fissuras, scissuras, such as the temple had contracted, either by antiquity, for it had stood one hundred and fifty-five years, or by the iniquity of the times. See 2 Chronicles 24:7.
Ver. 6. The priests had not repaired.] Perhaps because themselves should have no benefit thereby; they should have but their labour for their pains; receiving the money with one hand and paying it out with another. We love to see somewhat coming toward us of our labour; which else hath little life in it.
Ver. 7. Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada.] It was wonder that he should need quickening; but he was grown very old, and his work was done in a manner. Howbeit Josephus saith that he excited Joash, and would be called for among the rest, whom haply he could not so well prevail with. Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?] A temporary, then, we see may be the fore-horse in the team, the εργοδιωκτης, the ringleader of good exercises, and stir others up thereto, as Jehoash here did his best officers, and yet perish.
Ver. 8. And the priests consented.] See on 2 Kings 12:6.
Ver. 9. But Jehoiada the priest took a chest.] This he did by the king’s appointment, (2 Chronicles 24:8) and it took good effect. (2 Kings 12:9,10)
Ver. 10. When they saw.] They stood at the door, and might easily see what any one put in. Lycurgus, the Lacedemonian lawgiver—who is thonght to have flourished about these times—enjoined his countrymen not to exceed in their offerings, lest they should grow weary of well doing; for, said he, God respecteth more the internal devotion than the external oblation.
Ver. 11. That did the work.] Though with other men’s hands.
Ver. 12. For the house to repair it.] See on 2 Kings 12:5.
Ver. 13. Howbeit there were not made,] viz., Till the fabric was finished; but afterwards they were. (2 Chronicles 24:14) So earnestly they repaired, -Baruch-like. (Nehemiah 3:20)
Ver. 14. But they gave that to the workmen.] Who both bought the materials, and wrought them: providing both for their credit and their work, that it might go on end, as they say, and have nothing to hinder it.
Ver. 15. For they dealt faithfully.] This was much to their commendation. See on Nehemiah 7:2.
Ver. 16. The trespass money.] Which was for omissions. And sin money.] Which was for commissions, saith Tostatus. Or for wrongs done the Lord in his holy things, either ignorantly or wittingly, as others will have it.
Ver. 17. Then Hazael king of Syria went up.] “Then,” when Jehoiada was dead, and Jehoash revolted. (2 Chronicles 24:23) And Hazael set his face.] He resolved that he would take Jerusalem likewise, and doubted not but he should. So when the Turks had taken Adrianople, they soon after took Constantinople, the seat of the eastern emperor.
Ver. 18. He went away.] But the next year he returned again, spoiled Jerusalem, killed many, wounded Jehoash, after that he had put to death Zechariah the son of Jehoiada for his plain dealing. (2 Chronicles 24:17, &c.)
Ver. 19. Are they not written, &c.?] And therehence extracted, many of them by Ezra. (2 Chronicles 24:27, &c.)
Ver. 20. And slew Joash.] After that the Syrian rovers had first wounded him, and, perhaps by torturing him, left him under sore diseases, (2 Chronicles 24:23-25) according to what holy Zechariah at his death had prayed and prophesied, The Lord look upon it (i.e., my death), and require it.
Ver. 21. For Jozachar the son of Shimeath.] An Ammonitess. And Jehozabad the son of Shomer.] A Moabitess. (2 Chronicles 24:26) These were his bondwomen likely, and their sons his slaves. And they buried him with his fathers.] But not among the kings, (2 Chronicles 24:25) probably because his body was so putrefied with his wounds and other maladies.