성경 주석서

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.

Forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. — A great part of these years, Jehoiada lived with him; and so long, did he not "eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?" as Jeremiah 22:15 .

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

All his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. — As when Jehoiada died, Jehoash revolted from the Lord. Nero, while he would be instructed by Seneca and Burrhus, was of so good a carriage that Trajan was wont to say, None ever came near him; but this lasted for five years only. In Apostatis -

“ Principium fervet, medium tepet, exitus alger. ”

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But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

But the high places. — Tyrannus ille trium literarum, mos; Custom had so prevailed, that Jehoiada durst not advise the king to cross the people in this superstition, lest it should cause a tumult; lest they should more regard commotioners than commissioners, and be more guided by rage, than by right; violence and obstinacy, like two untamed horses, drawing their desires in a blindfold career, as it fell out here in England when King Edward VI began to reform.

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And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things 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,

And Jehoash said to the priests. — His first care was the repair of the temple, where he had been so long hid and preserved to the crown.

All the money of the dedicated things. — Heb., Money of holinesses; contrary whereunto is the mammon of iniquity. Luke 16:11

The money of every one that passeth the account. — The half shekel, Exodus 30:12-13 , … paid by all above twenty, as a perpetual poll money, to the use of the tabernacle and temple, called the collection of Moses. 2 Chronicles 24:6 The Pope had here his Peter’s pence - and Polydor Virgil was his collector - so long as it held.

The money that every man is set at. — See Leviticus 27:2 , … Redemption money.

And all the money that cometh into any man’s heart. — Freewill offerings; for God straineth upon no man. See Exodus 35:5 , … Hereunto the priests were in all places to exhort those that they knew. 2 Chronicles 24:5

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Let the priests take [it] to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.

And let them repair the breaches of the house. — Labes domus, rupturas, fissuras, scissuras, such as the temple had contracted, either by antiquity, for it had stood one hundred and fifty-five years, or by the iniquity of the times. See 2 Chronicles 24:7 .

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But it was [so, that] in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.

The priests had not repaired. — Perhaps because themselves should have no benefit thereby; they should have but their labour for their pains; receiving the money with one hand and paying it out with another. We love to see somewhat coming toward us of our labour; which else hath little life in it.

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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.

Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada. — It was wonder that he should need quickening; but he was grown very old, and his work was done in a manner. Howbeit Josephus saith that he excited Joash, and would be called for among the rest, whom haply he could not so well prevail with.

Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? — A temporary, then, we see may be the fore-horse in the team, the εργοδιωκτης , the ringleader of good exercises, and stir others up thereto, as Jehoash here did his best officers, and yet perish.

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And the priests consented to receive no [more] money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.

And the priests consented. — See on 2 Kings 12:6 .

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