ALL HIS DAYS ... - i. e., so long as Jehoiada was his adviser” (compare 2 Chronicles 24:15). Jehoida was, practically speaking, regent during the minority of Jehoash, i. e., 10 or 12 years. An increase of power to the priestly order was the natural consequence. Jehoiada bore the title of “high pries... [ Continue Reading ]
The worship on the “high places” seems to have continued uninterruptedly to the time of Hezekiah, who abolished it 2 Kings 18:4. It was, however, again established by Manasseh, his son 2 Kings 21:3. The priests at this time cannot have regarded it as idolatrous, or Jehoiada would have put it during... [ Continue Reading ]
It is remarkable that the first movement toward restoring the fabric of the temple should have come, not from Jehoiada, but from Jehoash (compare 2 Chronicles 24:4). Jehoiada had, it seems, allowed the mischief done in Athaliah’s time to remain unrepaired during the whole term of his government. THE... [ Continue Reading ]
The collection was not to be made in Jerusalem only, but in all “the cities of Judah” 2 Chronicles 24:5; the various priests and Levites being collectors in their own neighborhoods. BREACHES - The word in the original includes every kind and degree of ruin or dilapidation.... [ Continue Reading ]
No money had for some time been brought in (marginal reference “g”). Perhaps it was difficult for the priests and Levites to know exactly what proportion of the money paid to them was fairly applicable to the temple service and to their own support; and what, consequently, was the balance which they... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRIESTS THAT KEPT THE DOOR - The north door into the priests’ court Ezekiel 40:35 seems to be intended, not the door of the temple building. The chest must have been placed a little to the right of this north door, between it and the altar of burnt-offering, so that the people could see it from... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING’S SCRIBE - Or “secretary” (1 Kings 4:3 note). Such persons are often seen in the Assyrian sculptures, with a roll, apparently of parchment, in one hand and a pen in the other, taking account for the king of the spoil brought in from foreign expeditions.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comparing this verse with the marginal reference, it will be seen that the author of Kings desires to point out, that the repairs were not delayed by any deductions from the money that flowed in. The writer of Chronicles describes what became of the surplus in the chest after the last repairs were c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TRESPASS MONEY AND THE SIN MONEY - In all cases of injury done to another, a man was bound by the Law to make compensation, to the sufferer, if possible; if not, to his nearest kinsman. If the man was dead and had left no kinsman, then the compensation was to be made to the priest Numbers 5:8. T... [ Continue Reading ]
There was probably a considerable interval between the conclusion of the arrangement for the repairs and the Syrian expedition related in these verses. For the events which had happened, see 2 Chronicles 24:15. 2 Kings 12:17 This is the first and last time that we hear of the Damascene Syrians und... [ Continue Reading ]
A CONSPIRACY - Compare the marginal reference Joash, either from a suspicion of intended treason, or from some other unknown cause, took up his abode in the fortress of Millo 1 Kings 9:24. This conspiracy was connected with religion. Soon after the death of Jehoiada, Joash had apostatised; had renew... [ Continue Reading ]