Joash Repairs the Temple
(2 Kings 12:1–16)

1Joash (given by the Lord) was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah (roe); she was from Beersheba (well of seven). 2And Joash (given by the Lord) did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH} all the days of Jehoiada (YHWH knows) the priest. 3Jehoiada (YHWH knows) took for him two wives, and he had sons and daughters.

4Some time later, Joash (given by the Lord) set his heart on repairing the house of the LORD {YHWH}. 5So he gathered the priests and Levites and said, “Go out to the cities of Judah (praised) and collect the money due annually from all Israel (he wrestles with God), to repair the house of your⁺ God {Eloheikem}. Do it quickly.”

The Levites, however, did not make haste. 6So the king called Jehoiada (YHWH knows) the high priest and said, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring from Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) the tax imposed by Moses (drawn out) the servant of the LORD {YHWH} and by the assembly of Israel (he wrestles with God) for the Tent of the Testimony?”

7For the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah (afflicted of YHWH) had broken into the house of God {Elohim} and had even used the sacred objects of the house of the LORD {YHWH} for the Baals (lord).

8At the king’s command a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the house of the LORD {YHWH}. 9And a proclamation was issued in Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) that they were to bring to the LORD {YHWH} the tax imposed by Moses (drawn out) the servant of God {Elohim} on Israel (he wrestles with God) in the wilderness. 10All the officers and all the people rejoiced and brought their contributions, and they dropped them in the chest until it was full.

11Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites to the king’s overseers and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal scribe and the officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this daily and gathered the money in abundance. 12Then the king and Jehoiada (YHWH knows) would give the money to those who supervised the labor on the house of the LORD {YHWH} to hire stonecutters and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, as well as workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the LORD.

13So the workmen labored, and in their hands the repair work progressed. They restored the house of God {Elohim} according to its specifications, and they reinforced it. 14When they were finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada (YHWH knows), and with it were made articles for the house of the LORD {YHWH}—utensils for the service and for the burnt offerings, dishes, and other objects of gold and silver.

Throughout the days of Jehoiada, burnt offerings were presented regularly in the house of the LORD.

Jehoiada’s Death and Burial

15When Jehoiada was old and full of years, he (YHWH knows) died at the age of 130.

16And Jehoiada was buried with the kings in the City of David (beloved), because he had done what was good in Israel (he wrestles with God) for God {Elohim} and His temple.

The Wickedness of Joash

17After the death of Jehoiada, however (YHWH knows), the officials of Judah (praised) came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. 18They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles (goddess) and idols. So wrath came upon Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) for this guilt of theirs. 19Nevertheless, the LORD sent prophets to bring the people back to Him {YHWH} and to testify against them, but they would not listen.

20Then the Spirit of God {Ruach Elohim} came upon Zechariah (YHWH remembers) son of Jehoiada (YHWH knows) the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you⁺ transgress the commandments of the LORD {YHWH} so that you⁺ cannot prosper? Because you⁺ have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you⁺.’”

21But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD {YHWH}.

22Thus King Joash (given by the Lord) failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada (YHWH knows) had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, “May the LORD {YHWH} see this and call you to account.”

The Death of Joash
(2 Kings 12:17–21)

23In the spring \At the turn of the year/,a the army of Aram (exalted) went to war against Joash. They entered Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) and destroyed all the leaders of the people, and they sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus (well-watered land). 24Although the Aramean (exalted) army had come with only a few men, the LORD {YHWH} delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God {Elohe} of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash (given by the Lord).

25And when the Arameans had withdrawn, they left Joash severely wounded. His own servants conspired against him for shedding the blood of the son [of the sons]b of Jehoiada (YHWH knows) the priest, and they killed him on his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David (beloved), but not in the tombs of the kings. 26Those who conspired against Joash were Zabad (Jozabad)c son of Shimeath (report) the Ammonitess and Jehozabad (YHWH has endowed) son of Shimrith (Shomer)d the Moabitess (from father: what father?).

27The accounts of the sons of Joash and the many pronouncements (burden) about him, and of the restoration (founding)e of the house of God {Elohim}, are indeed written in the Treatise (Exposition)f of the Book of the Kings. And his son Amaziah (YHWH is mighty) reigned in his place.