2 Kings 12:1-8 | The Way of Scripture

2 Kings 12:1-8

Why does Joash change the arrangement for repairing the temple?

Berean Standard Bible

1 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. 2 And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days he was instructed by Jehoiada the priest. 3 Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. 4 Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. 5 Let every priest receive it from his constituency, and let it be used to repair any damage found in the temple.” 6 By the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash, however, the priests had not yet repaired the damage to the temple. 7 So King Joash called Jehoiada and the other priests and said, “Why have you not repaired the damage to the temple? Now, therefore, take no more money from your constituency, but hand it over for the repair of the temple.” 8 So the priests agreed that they would not receive money from the people and that they would not repair the temple themselves.

What is the context?

Joash does what is right while instructed by Jehoiada, although the high places remain. His good beginning is therefore described with a clear limitation.

He directs that money from sacred gifts be used to repair the temple’s damage. By his twenty-third year, the work is still not done, and he calls the priests to account for the delay.

The arrangement is changed: the priests stop collecting these funds through their constituencies and cease being responsible for carrying out the repairs themselves. The passage identifies an unfinished responsibility without explicitly accusing every priest of stealing.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley connects Joash’s concern for the temple with the place’s role in preserving and restoring him. He also distinguishes different kinds of sacred contributions. The immediate problem in the text is that the intended work has not been accomplished, so the procedure must change.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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