The Reign of Jehoash of Judah

121 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash[1] became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother's name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.

Other Translations of 2 Kings 12:1

King James Version

The Reign of Jehoash of Judah

121 In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.

English Standard Version

The Reign of Jehoash of Judah

121 In the seventh year of Jehu, JehoashJehoash is another spelling of Joash (son of Ahaziah) as in 11:2; also verses 2, 4, 6, 7, 18 began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.

The Message

The Reign of Jehoash of Judah

121 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash began his kingly rule. He was king for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Gazelle. She was from Beersheba.

New King James Version

The Reign of Jehoash of Judah

121 In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.

New Living Translation

The Reign of Jehoash of Judah

121 Joash began to rule over Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu's reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother was Zibiah from Beersheba.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1

Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1-16

(Read 2 Kings 12:1-16)

It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and well for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple was out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king was zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the support of religion, the redress of grievances, and repairing of decays. The king employed the priests to manage, as most likely to be hearty in the work. But nothing was done effectually till the twenty-third year of his reign. Another method was therefore taken. When public distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be made cheerfully. While they were getting all they could for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon the stated maintenance of the priests. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. Those that were intrusted did the business carefully and faithfully. They did not lay it out in ornaments for the temple, till the other work was completed; hence we may learn, in all our expenses, to prefer that which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves.

2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Other Translations of 2 Kings 12:2

King James Version

2 And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

English Standard Version

2 And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

The Message

2 Taught and trained by Jehoiada the priest, Joash did what pleased God for as long as he lived.

New King James Version

2 Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

New Living Translation

2 All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord 's sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 12:2

Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1-16

(Read 2 Kings 12:1-16)

It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and well for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple was out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king was zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the support of religion, the redress of grievances, and repairing of decays. The king employed the priests to manage, as most likely to be hearty in the work. But nothing was done effectually till the twenty-third year of his reign. Another method was therefore taken. When public distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be made cheerfully. While they were getting all they could for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon the stated maintenance of the priests. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. Those that were intrusted did the business carefully and faithfully. They did not lay it out in ornaments for the temple, till the other work was completed; hence we may learn, in all our expenses, to prefer that which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves.

4 Joash said to the priests, "Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the Lord-the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple.

Other Translations of 2 Kings 12:4

King James Version

4 And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things dedicated things: or, holy things: Heb. holinesses that is brought into the house of the Lord, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the Lord,

English Standard Version

4 Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money of the holy things that is brought into the house of the Lord, the money for which each man is assessed--the money from the assessment of persons--and the money that a man's heart prompts him to bring into the house of the Lord,

The Message

4 Joash instructed the priests: "Take the money that is brought into The Temple of God for holy offerings - both mandatory offerings and freewill offerings -

New King James Version

4 And Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money of the dedicated gifts that are brought into the house of the Lord--each man's census money, each man's assessment money--and all the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the Lord,

New Living Translation

4 One day King Joash said to the priests, "Collect all the money brought as a sacred offering to the Lord 's Temple, whether it is a regular assessment, a payment of vows, or a voluntary gift.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 12:4

Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1-16

(Read 2 Kings 12:1-16)

It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and well for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple was out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king was zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the support of religion, the redress of grievances, and repairing of decays. The king employed the priests to manage, as most likely to be hearty in the work. But nothing was done effectually till the twenty-third year of his reign. Another method was therefore taken. When public distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be made cheerfully. While they were getting all they could for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon the stated maintenance of the priests. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. Those that were intrusted did the business carefully and faithfully. They did not lay it out in ornaments for the temple, till the other work was completed; hence we may learn, in all our expenses, to prefer that which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves.

6 But by the twenty-third year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple.

Other Translations of 2 Kings 12:6

King James Version

6 But it was so, that in the three three...: Heb. twentieth year and third year and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.

English Standard Version

6 But by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, the priests had made no repairs on the house.

The Message

6 But by the twenty-third year of Joash's rule, the priests hadn't done one thing - The Temple was as dilapidated as ever.

New King James Version

6 Now it was so, by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, that the priests had not repaired the damages of the temple.

New Living Translation

6 But by the twenty-third year of Joash's reign, the priests still had not repaired the Temple.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 12:6

Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1-16

(Read 2 Kings 12:1-16)

It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and well for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple was out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king was zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the support of religion, the redress of grievances, and repairing of decays. The king employed the priests to manage, as most likely to be hearty in the work. But nothing was done effectually till the twenty-third year of his reign. Another method was therefore taken. When public distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be made cheerfully. While they were getting all they could for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon the stated maintenance of the priests. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. Those that were intrusted did the business carefully and faithfully. They did not lay it out in ornaments for the temple, till the other work was completed; hence we may learn, in all our expenses, to prefer that which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves.

7 Therefore King Joash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and asked them, "Why aren't you repairing the damage done to the temple? Take no more money from your treasurers, but hand it over for repairing the temple."

Other Translations of 2 Kings 12:7

King James Version

7 Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.

English Standard Version

7 Therefore King Jehoash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and said to them, "Why are you not repairing the house? Now therefore take no more money from your donors, but hand it over for the repair of the house."

The Message

7 King Joash called Jehoiada the priest and the company of priests and said, "Why haven't you renovated this sorry-looking Temple? You are forbidden to take any more money for Temple repairs - from now on, hand over everything you get."

New King James Version

7 So King Jehoash called Jehoiada the priest and the other priests, and said to them, "Why have you not repaired the damages of the temple? Now therefore, do not take more money from your constituency, but deliver it for repairing the damages of the temple."

New Living Translation

7 So King Joash called for Jehoiada and the other priests and asked them, "Why haven't you repaired the Temple? Don't use any more money for your own needs. From now on, it must all be spent on Temple repairs."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 12:7

Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1-16

(Read 2 Kings 12:1-16)

It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and well for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple was out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king was zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the support of religion, the redress of grievances, and repairing of decays. The king employed the priests to manage, as most likely to be hearty in the work. But nothing was done effectually till the twenty-third year of his reign. Another method was therefore taken. When public distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be made cheerfully. While they were getting all they could for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon the stated maintenance of the priests. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. Those that were intrusted did the business carefully and faithfully. They did not lay it out in ornaments for the temple, till the other work was completed; hence we may learn, in all our expenses, to prefer that which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves.

18 But Joash king of Judah took all the sacred objects dedicated by his predecessors-Jehoshaphat, Jehoram and Ahaziah, the kings of Judah-and the gifts he himself had dedicated and all the gold found in the treasuries of the temple of the Lord and of the royal palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.

Other Translations of 2 Kings 12:18

King James Version

18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

English Standard Version

18 Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred gifts that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah his fathers, the kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred gifts, and all the gold that was found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent these to Hazael king of Syria. Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem.

The Message

18 Joash king of Judah countered by gathering up all the sacred memorials - gifts dedicated for holy use by his ancestors, the kings of Judah, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, along with the holy memorials he himself had received, plus all the gold that he could find in the temple and palace storerooms - and sent it to Hazael king of Aram. Appeased, Hazael went on his way and didn't bother Jerusalem.

New King James Version

18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred things that his fathers, Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred things, and all the gold found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and in the king's house, and sent them to Hazael king of Syria. Then he went away from Jerusalem.

New Living Translation

18 King Joash collected all the sacred objects that Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, the previous kings of Judah, had dedicated, along with what he himself had dedicated. He sent them all to Hazael, along with all the gold in the treasuries of the Lord 's Temple and the royal palace. So Hazael called off his attack on Jerusalem.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 12:18

Commentary on 2 Kings 12:17-21

(Read 2 Kings 12:17-21)

Let us review the character of Jehoash, and consider what we may learn from it. When we see what a sad conclusion there was to so promising a beginning, it ought to make us seek into our spiritual declinings. If we know any thing of Christ as the foundation of our faith and hope, let us desire to know nothing but Christ. May the work of the blessed Spirit on our souls be manifest; may we see, feel, and be earnest, in seeking after Jesus in all his fulness, suitableness, and grace, that our souls may be brought over from dead works to serve the living and true God.