XXIV. REIGN OF JOASH. (Comp. 2 Kings 12)PROPHETIC MINISTRY OF ZECHARIAH BEN JEHOIADA. The Ascendancy of the High Priest Jehoiada. Repair of the Temple (2Chronicles 24:1-14). (1) Joash was seven years old.--This verse coincides with 2Kings 12:1-2, merely omitting the note that his accession took place "in the seventh year of Jehu." There he is called Jehoash, of which Joash is a contraction. (Comp. Jehoram-Joram.) The meaning may be "Iahu is fire (comp. Isaiah 33:14); but more probably it is "Iahu is a man." (Comp. Ashbel.) Verse 1. - His mother's name... Zibiah of Beersheba. We do not read, in the brief account of Ahaziah, Joash's father, whom he married. Nothing is as yet known of Zibiah, but there must be some significance underlying the mention of her name and native place, or known place of residence. The references Amos 5:5 and Amos 8:14 may possibly contain the clue, in holding up Beersheba as the most idolatrous of idolatrous places. Beersheba offers another reference of unhappy associations (1 Samuel 8:2). As a terminus of the land, "Dan to Beersheba" (Judges 20:1; 2 Samuel 24:2; 1 Chronicles 21:2); as a terminus of the divided Judah, "Beersheba to Mount Ephraim" (2 Chronicles 19:4), "Geba to Beersheba" (2 Kings 23:8); and as a terminus of this Judah yet reduced after the Captivity, "Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom" (Nehemiah 11:30);-its mention is notorious. The references Genesis 21:31 and Genesis 26:18, 31-33 are full of interest, as bearing on the way in which the spot is first known in Bible history. 24:1-14 Joash is more zealous about the repair of the temple than Jehoiada himself. It is easier to build temples, than to be temples to God. But the repairing of places for public worship is a good work, which all should promote. And many a good work would be done that now lies undone, if active men would put it forward.Joash was seven years old when he began to reign,.... This, and the following verse, are the same with 2 Kings 11:21. See Gill on 2 Kings 12:1. See Gill on 2 Kings 12:2. |
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