View 2nd Chronicles 24 in the note window.
Joash takes care to repair the temple, ver. 1 - 14.
After Jehoiada's death, he sets up the worship of Baal again,
tho' warned, ver. 15 - 19.
He puts Zechariah to death, ver. 20 - 22.
Is invaded by the Syrians, ver. 23, 24.
Struck with sore diseases and slain, ver. 25 - 27
6: The chief - It is observable, that he is not called the
chief priest, or high - priest, but only the chief, or
the head, which he might be in many other respects, either
by reason of his near relation to the royal family: or because
he was the chief of one of the twenty - four families.
7: The sons - Ahaziah, and his brethren before they were carried
away captive, (2Ch 21:17), who did this by her instigation, as this
phrase implies. Broke up - Both broke up the treasuries, and defaced the
house itself.
14: Vessels - Because Athaliah and her sons had taken the old
ones away, ver.(7).
15: An hundred and thirty years old - By which it appears, that he
was born in Solomon's time, and had lived six entire reigns before this.
They buried him among the kings, with this honourable encomium, (perhaps
inscribed upon his grave - stone) that he had done good in Israel.
But the little religion that Joash had, was all buried in his grave.
See how great a judgment to any prince or people, the death of holy,
useful men is!
16: Israel - In Judah, which was an eminent part of Israel,
and the only part of it which owned God, or was owned by God as his
Israel, to whom therefore he often appropriates this name.
17: Made obeisance - In that posture presenting their requests
to him, that they might not be confined to troublesome journeys to
Jerusalem, but might have the liberty, which their fore - fathers
enjoyed, os worshipping God in the high - places. This liberty once
obtained, they knew they could worship idols without disturbance:
which was the thing at which they aimed. And for the prevention
of such abuses, God obliged all to worship him in one place.
18: Left, &c. - The king and princes that awhile ago so zealously
repaired the temple, now forsook the temple! So inconstant a thing
is man! So little confidence is to be put in him!
20: Who stood - The people were assembled in the court of the temple,
which they had not quite forsook, when Zechariah stood up in some of the
desks that were in the court of the priests, and plainly told them their
sin, and the consequences of it.
21: Stoned him - They stoned him immediately, without even colour of
law; as horrid a piece of wickedness, as any we read of in all the history
of the kings. That ever such a villainy should be committed, by men, by
Israelites, in contempt and violation of everything that is just,
honourable, and sacred! The Jews say, there were seven transgressions
in one: They killed a priest, a prophet, a judge; they shed innocent blood;
polluted the court of the temple, the Sabbath, and the day of expiation:
for on that day, their tradition says, this happened.
22: Require it - Make inquisition for innocent blood. But the
words may be rendered, The Lord will look upon it, and require it,
will require satisfaction from you for it.
23: The year - So soon did God hear the cry of his holy prophet's
blood, and revenge it. The princes - That it might appear they were sent
and directed by God to single out to destruction the first beginners of
this general apostacy.
25: Son - By which it seems, he slew not only Zechariah, but his
brothers also. Perhaps they that slew him intended to take vengeance
for that innocent blood. However that was it, which God intended, in
permitting them to do it.
27: Burdens - The great judgments of God upon him, both by the
Syrians, ver.(2Ch 24:23), and by great diseases, ver.(25).
