2 Kings 12

The record of Joash's reign follows a typical format:

1. It describes when he became king (2 Kings 11:21–12:3)

2. It tells about his royal activities (2 Kings 12:4–18)

3. It gives the closing notice of his reign (2 Kings 12:19–21).

The main focus is Joash’s efforts to repair the temple of the Lord (2 Kings 12:4–16). Later, when the army of Aram [the Arameans] invaded, Joash took treasures from the temple and gave them away to protect his city (2 Kings 12:17–18).

Joash was king from 835 to 796 BC.

• Joash was grateful to Jehoiada, the priest who guided him. Joash stayed loyal to the Lord while Jehoiada lived. However, after Jehoiada died, ungodly leaders persuaded Joash to abandon the Lord and adopt Canaanite customs (see 2 Chronicles 24:17–22).

• Joash's failure to destroy the pagan shrines led to spiritual compromise. Allowing these shrines in Judah had previously angered God (1 Kings 14:23–26) and would do so again during Joash's time (2 Chronicles 24:23–24).

Joash ordered the collection of funds from the cities of Judah (2 Chronicles 24:5) for temple repairs. The money came from special Levitical taxes, a census tax (2 Chronicles 24:9), and voluntary donations. After some time, the priests still had not repaired the temple. So Joash took control of the project and assigned others to manage the repairs (see also study note on 2 Chronicles 24:4–8).

Joash's plan to collect and distribute money for temple repairs involved placing a large chest in an easy-to-reach spot for donations. When Joash told the people about the need for a tax and voluntary offerings to finish the repairs, they "rejoiced and brought their contributions, and they dropped them in the chest" (2 Chronicles 24:9–10). Once they had enough funds, the money was given to the construction supervisors, and the temple repair and restoration began.

• Hazael was a constant enemy of God’s people (2 Kings 8:28; 9:14–15; 10:32–33; 13:3). He killed the Aramean king Ben-hadad II and took the throne (2 Kings 8:15). Hazael likely attacked Israel and Judah after the Assyrian king Shamshi-adad V died in 811 BC and before Adad-nirari III, who ruled from 810 to 783 BC, began campaigns in 805 BC, capturing Damascus in 802 BC. Without Assyria's control, Hazael could attack southward.

• There is debate about whether Gath is the well-known Philistine city (1 Samuel 5:8; 6:17) or a Hebrew city also called Gittaim (2 Samuel 4:3; Nehemiah 11:33).

• consecrated items … gold: Solomon and Asa had given these treasures to the temple earlier (1 Kings 7:51; 15:15).

• Hazael had started attacking Jerusalem, and Joash was injured in the battle (2 Chronicles 24:25). Paying tribute to Hazael might have stopped more damage to the city.

• Beth-millo: This area was on a ridge of the eastern hill of Jerusalem, called the City of David. Solomon built supporting terraces there (1 Kings 9:15).

• The road to Silla is not known from other sources.

The king was killed in 796 BC by some of his own officers. They acted in revenge for his murder of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:21–22, 25).