Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Kings
Book: 2 Kings
Chapter: 12
Overview:
Jehoash orders the repair of the
Temple.
(1-16) He is slain
By
his servants.
(17-21)
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.
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.