2 Kings 12

4. All the money. Two kinds of dedicated money are here mentioned; namely, 1, the half-shekel paid by every one who “passed over,” i.e., was numbered among the people (see ver. 4, R.V. marg.); and 2, the free-will offerings.

5 the breaches of the house. The Temple had suffered, not only from neglect, but still more from injuries maliciously committed by the sons of Athaliah, who had pillaged it to enrich the temple of Baal (see 2 Chron. xxiv. 7). This holy place had been the asylum and nursery of Joash in his childhood; and, in grateful remembrance, he was now zealous for its maintenance and honour.

7 receive no [more] money, etc. The income which had been ordained for repairing the Temple had been retained by the priests and Levites.

9. Jehoiada the priest, etc. According to Chronicles, this change in the plan of collection was “at the king’s commandment.”

13 there were not made, etc. All the money thus collected was spent in repairs of the edifice; none of it was applied in providing vessels for the Temple service. In 2 Chron. xxiv. 14, it is stated that after the repairs were finished the offerings were again devoted to the latter purpose.

15 they reckoned not, etc. i.e., no account was required of the overseers of the work, as their integrity was undoubted.

16. The trespass money and sin money. R.V., “the money for the guilt offerings and the money for the sin offerings.”

17. Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. This was the first appearance of the Syrian power in the southern kingdom. This invasion occurred long after the events related in the preceding part of this chapter; and during the interval, the king, with his people, had revolted from God, and he had even murdered his cousin, the son of Jehoiada, for his faithful reproofs: see 2 Chron. xxiv. 18-24.

20 which goeth down, etc. The R.V. correctly reads, “on the way that goeth down.” “Silla” has not been identified.