Jehoash directs the

B. C. 856.

II. KINGS.

B. C. 856.

repairing of the temple. A. M. 3148. 7 8 Then King Jehoash called for the oversight of the house of the A. M. 3148. Jehoiada the priest, and the other LORD: and they laid it out to the priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the the breaches of the house? now therefore re- house of the LORD. ceive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.

both dilatory and careless in collecting the money,
2 Chron. xxiv. 5; and did not bring in what they
had gathered to begin the work, whereupon the||
king revoked his former order, and intrusted other
men, as it here follows, with this work. Thus are
things seldom done well that are committed to the
care of many. Now therefore receive no more mo-
ney, &c.-Jehoash ordered two things, 1st, That
they should gather no more money of the people.
2d, That they should not have the care of seeing
the temple repaired, but pay what had been collected
into other hands. The priests consented-They
submitted to the king's new orders, and wholly com-
mitted the business to those whom he thought fit to
employ. But it does not appear that they restored
the money which they had received for twenty-three
years past.

12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that 10 was laid out for the house to repair it. 13 Howbeit, there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD:

10 Heb. went forth.

i 2 Chron. xxiv. 14.- k — Chapter xxii. 7. 1 Lev. v. 15, 18.- Lev. vii. 7; Num. xviii. 9. them that had the oversight, &c.-These bags of money were delivered by the king and Jehoiada, (2 Chron. xxiv. 12,) not to the priests, whom the king had found tardy, and, perhaps, faulty, (converting the money to their own use,) but to some select persons, who had this peculiar business committed to them, to employ good workmen, pay them their wages, and see the temple properly repaired.

Verses 14, 15. But they gave that to the workmen -All the money collected was employed to pay the masons, carpenters, and such like workmen, for repairing the temple alone, till the work was finished; and then the overseers gave an account of what money remained in their hands, which was expended in purchasing such vessels as are before mentioned, for the service of the temple, 2 Chron. xxiv. 14. Moreover, they reckoned not with the men-They were so confident of the honesty of the overseers, that they took no account of the money which they had paid to the workmen. For they dealt faithfully

They perceived, by many experiments, that they were faithful. This was a rare example of fidelity in managing the public money.

Verse 9. Jehoiada the priest took a chest-By the king's order, 2 Chron. xxiv. 8. And set it beside the altar-In the court of the priests. Upon comparing the passage in Chronicles, just referred to, with this, it seems probable that it was first placed by the altar, and afterward removed thence to the gate of the court, for the people's greater satisfaction, that Verse 16. The trespass-money and sin-money, &c. they might come thither, and put in their money" Besides the money paid to the priests for treswith their own hands. passes committed in holy things it is thought that Verses 10, 11. The king's scribe and the high-persons living at a distance sent money to the priests priest came up, &c.-The king's secretary and the to purchase trespass-offerings and sin-offerings, and high-priest emptied the chest, and took an account sacrifice them in their names: and, as they commonly of the money, and then put it up in bags, which, it sent more than the sacrifices cost, the surplus became is likely, they sealed; and then they set the chest in perquisite, under the name of trespass-money and its place again. This they did every day, as we sin-money."-Scott. This money was not employed read 2 Chron. xxiv. 11. They gave the money to toward the reparation of the house, because, as it

a

Jehoash is slain by his servants.

B. C. 840.

CHAPTER XIII.

A. M. 3164 17¶ Then "Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

18 And Jehoash king of Judah Ptook 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.

Chapter viii. 12. 2 Chron. xxiv. 23.-p1 Kings xv. 18;
Chap. xviii. 15." Heb. went up.

follows, it was the priests': it was given to them for their private use and maintenance.

The reign of Jehoahaz.

Verse 20. His servants made a conspiracy, and slew Jehoash-Of which, see 2 Chron. xxiv. 25, Verses 17, 18. Then Hazael went up―That is, in where we are told that his murdering the prophet, this king's days, when, Jehoiada being dead, Jehoash || Jehoiada's son, was the provocation. In this, how revolted from God; of which see 2 Chron. xxiv. 17. unrighteous soever they were, yet the Lord was And fought against Gath-Once a city of the Phi- righteous: and this was not the only time that he let listines, but taken by David, (1 Chron. xviii. 1,) and|| even kings know, it was at their peril if they touched now a part of the kingdom of Judah. And Hazael his anointed, or did his prophets any harm; and that, set his face to go to Jerusalem-Directed his march when he comes to make inquisition for blood, the toward that city: or, undertook to march thither in blood of prophets will run the account very high. good earnest. Jehoash took all the hallowed things,|| Thus fell Joash, who began in the spirit, and ended &c.-The preservation of his kingdom, he thought, in the flesh. God usually sets marks of his displeawarranted his doing this; but he brought these dan- sure upon apostates, even in this life; for they, of all gers upon himself by his apostacy from God. sinners, do most reproach the Lord.

CHAPTER XIII.

Ha

The reign of Jehoahaz, who follows the sin of Jeroboam; is oppressed by Hazael, and relieved by prayer, 1-9. Joash his on succeeds him in the kingdom, and in his idolatry, 10-13. Elisha foretels to Joash three victories over the Syrians, and dies; Joash's lamentation, 14-19. A dead man, being cast into Elisha's sepulchre, is restored to life, 20, 21. zal oppresses Israel and dies. Joash beats the Syrians three times, and recovers the cities which had been taken from his father, 22-25.

B.C.856.

Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned

a

B. C. 856.

B. C. 842.

M3148. TN 1the three and twentieth year of || the son of Nebat, which made Israel A. M. 3148. Joash the son of Ahaziah king of to sin; he departed not therefrom. 3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of "Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad, the son of Hazael, all their days.

seventeen years.

2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and 2 followed the sins of Jeroboam

NOTES ON CHAPTER XIII.

tions, still continued to change the glory of this their incorruptible God into the similitude of an ox, the truth of God into a lie, and, like the nations around them, to worship the work of their own hands. There could not be a greater reproach than the two feet Being, besides all their other sins and abomina-idolized calves were, to a people acquainted with the

Verse 3. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel-Who, knowing the only living and true God to be a spirit, an eternal mind, an infinitely wise and mighty, just and holy, and absolutely per

besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.

son of Jehoahaz.

8 Now the rest of the acts of Je- A. M. 3165. B. C. 839. hoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?

9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Sama

B. C. 839.

5 (And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians and the children of Israel dwelt inria: and 6 Joash his son reigned in his 'stead. their tents, as beforetime.

3

6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel to

4

sin, but walked therein: and there remained

the grove also in Samaria.)

8

10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.

11 And he did that which was evil in the

7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jeho-sight of the LORD; he departed not from all ahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by thrashing.

c Psa. lxxviii. 34.d Exod. iii. 7; Chap. xiv. 26.- C Verse 25; Chap. xiv. 25, 27.- -3 Heb. as yesterday, and third day. Heb. he walked. f 1 Kings xvi. 33.- 5 Heb. stood.

the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who
made Israel sin; but he walked therein.
12 h And the rest of the acts of Joash, and
i all that he did, and his might wherewith he
Amos i. 3.- Verse 10, Jehoash.- 7 Alone.-
sort with his father, Chap. xiv. 1.- Chap. xiv. 15.-
14, 25.- k Chap. xiv. 9, &c; 2 Chron. xxv. 17, &c.

8 In conLi Verses

their enemies, and the blasphemies which doubtless accompanied it. See Deut. xxxii. 27.

Verse 5. The Lord gave Israel a saviour―Either Elisha, below, (verse 14,) or rather, Jehoash, the son of this Jehoahaz, (verse 25,) and Jeroboam his son, chap. xiv. 25. Both of these were instrumental in working out great deliverances for Israel, although they were wicked men, who still kept up the idola. try of the calves. Israel dwelt in their tents as before time-In peace and security: not only in their strong cities, but even in their tents in the fields.

Verse 7. Neither did he leave, &c.—That is, the king of Syria, who so terribly oppressed the Israelites. For this verse must be considered as connected with verse 4, verses 5 and 6 being included in a pa

nature and attributes of God, and intrusted with his lively oracles, in which he had given them rules, of his own appointment, to direct them how to worship him. Strange it is, indeed, that in all the history of || the ten tribes, we never find the least shock given to that idolatry, but, in every reign, still the calf was their god! and that notwithstanding the many and repeated judgments executed upon them to reclaim them from that senseless and stupid practice. Well might the anger of God be kindled against them! And he delivered them into the hand of Hazael-It had been the honour of Israel that they were taken under the special protection of Heaven: God himself was their defence, the shield of their help, and the sword of their excellency. But here again, as often before, we find them stripped of this glory, and ex-renthesis, as is done in our translation. By the peoposed to the insults of all their neighbours. Surely never was any nation so often plucked and pillaged || as Israel was: but this they brought upon themselves by their sins: and when they had provoked God to break down their hedge, the goodness of their land did but tempt their neighbours. So low was Israel brought in this reign, by the many depredations which the Syrians made upon them, that the militia of the kingdom, and all the force they could bring into the field, was but fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen, a despicable muster, verse 7. Are the thousands of Israel come to this? How is the gold become dim!

Verse 4. The Lord hearkened unto him-Not for his sake, for God regards not the prayers of the wicked and impenitent, but for other reasons, expressed verse 23. For he saw the oppression of Israel-His chosen and once beloved people. He now helps them because of his former and ancient kind- || ness to them. Because the king of Syria oppressed them-To wit, very grievously, as it is expressed verse 7. So that God helped them, not because they were worthy of his help, but because of the rage of

ple, of whom the king of Syria left so few, the Israclitish army, or men of war, are here meant, as the following words evince. For the king of Syria had destroyed them-God gave them into his hand, to make this destruction among them, killing some, and carrying others captive. And had made them like the dust by thrashing-Had broken, and, as it were, ground them to dust or powder, as the corn is many times broken by thrashing.

Verse 8. And his might-For, though he had not success, he showed much personal valour and courage. Which is observed to intimate, that the Israelites were not conquered because of the baseness and cowardice of their king; but merely from the righteous and dreadful judgments of God, who was now resolved to reckon with them for their apostacy.

Verse 10. In the thirty and seventh year of Joash, king of Judah, &c.-A difficulty arises in comparing this with verse 1, where it is said, Jehoahaz began to reign in the twenty-third year of Joash, king of Judah, and reigned seventeen years: from whence it follows, that this Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, began

Elisha foretels the

B. C. 839.

B. C. 839.

A. M. 3165. fought against Amaziah king of Ju-|| 16 And he said to the king of Is- A. M. 3165.
dah, are they not written in the book rael, Put thy hand upon the bow.
of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?
And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put
his hands upon the king's hands.

B. C. 825. 13 And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne; and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

m

17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in "Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.

m Ecclus. xlviii. 13. 1 Kings xx. 26.

to reign, not in the thirty-seventh, but in the thirty-pelled to hold his faithful ministers in honour, fully
ninth or fortieth year of Joash, king of Judah. This
difficulty, however, is solved by supposing, what is
very probable, that Jehoahaz had made his son Je-
hoash king, jointly with himself, two or three years
before his death. This is the more probable, because
he was perpetually in a state of war, and consequent-
ly in danger of an untimely death; and because his
son was a man of valour, as is implied, verse 12, and
declared, 2 Chron. xxv. 17-24.

Verse 13. And Joash slept with his fathers—The sacred writer does not here conclude the history of Joash, for he afterward relates great things done by him. But having to speak of the sickness and death of Elisha, upon which those things depended, he introduces that before he proceeds further to relate

his acts.

convinced of their being upright and holy men of
God. And said, O my father, my father, &c.—
Thus he laments over him in the same words which
Elisha himself had used when he lamented the re-
moval of Elijah. Probably he had heard or read of
them, and judged them as applicable to Elisha as
they had been to his predecessor: see on chap. ii.
12. Joash seems to have intended by these words
to express Elisha's fatherly care of Israel, the great
authority he had maintained among them, that by
his counsels, and prayers, and miracles, they had
obtained great and glorious victories over their ene
mies; and that he and his kingdom would sustain
an inestimable loss by his death.

Verses 15-17. Take bow and arrows-This was
to represent the wars he was to have with the Syri-
ans. Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands-
To signify to him, that in all his expeditions against
the Syrians, he must look up to God for direction
and strength; must reckon his own hands insuffi-
cient for him, and must go on in dependance on the
divine aid. Open the window eastward-Toward
Syria, which lay north-eastward from the land of
Israel: the Syrians had also possessed themselves
of the land of the Israelites beyond Jordan, which
lay eastward from Canaan: this arrow is shot to-
ward these parts, as a token of what God intended
to do against the Syrians. The arrow of the Lord's
deliverance-It is God that commands deliverance,
and when he will effect it, who can hinder? Thou
shall smite the Syrians in Aphek-Where they were
now encamped, or where they were to have a general

Verse 14. Elisha was fallen sick, &c.—Elisha
lived long; for it was now about sixty years since he
was first called to be a prophet. It was a great mercy
to Israel, and especially to the sons of the prophets,
that he was continued so long a burning and a shi-
ning light. Elijah finished his testimony in a fourth ||
part of that time. For God's prophets have their
day appointed them, longer or shorter, as infinite
Wisdom sees fit. The time of Elisha's flourishing,
however, was much less than the time of his living.
During all the latter part of his life, from the anoint-
ing of Jehu, which was forty-five years before Joash
began his reign, we find no mention made of him,
nor of any thing he did, till we find him here upon
his death-bed. He was, no doubt, useful to the last,||
yet, it seems, not so famous as he had formerly been.
The king came down, and wept over his face-
While he leaned over him to kiss him. This was an
evidence of some good in Joash, and that he had a
value for a faithful prophet. So far was he from Verses 18,19. Smite upon the ground-The former
hating and persecuting him as a troubler of Israel, sign portended victory: and this was to declare the
as Ahab had hated and persecuted Elijah, that he number of the victories. He smote thrice, and stay-
loved and honoured him, as one of the greatest bless-ed-Through his inattention to, or unbelief of, the
ings of his kingdom. Thus it has sometimes hap- sign just given, concerning war with, victory over,
pened, that those who, like Joash, would not be and deliverance from Syria, or through indifference
obedient to the word of God, yet have been com-
about that deliverance. The man of God was wroth
175

9

rendezvous of their forces. Till thou have con-
sumed them-Those of them that are vexatious and
oppressive to thee and thy kingdom.

19 And the man of God was wroth || and touched the bones of Elisha, Phe A. M. 3165. with him, and said, Thou shouldest || revived, and stood upon his feet. have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: • whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. 20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.

21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that behold, they spied a band of men ; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man 10 was let down, || stead.