Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 12
In the war against Aram, Aram’s army killed many leaders from Judah. King Joash also suffered a serious injury (2 Chronicles 24:23-25). He could have continued to fight against Aram – but the result would be the deaths of many more people. So Joash decided to make an arrangement with Hazael, the king of Aram. Joash agreed to pay a great price to Hazael; and Hazael agreed to end the war. Joash would remain king over Judah, and Hazael would take his army away from Judah.
That price was all the gold and precious objects both from Joash’s palace and from the temple (the house of God). These included sacred objects that the kings of Judah had given to God. Jehoshaphat was a good king; he was loyal to God and he would have given generously for the temple. However, it surprises us to discover that Jehoram and Ahaziah gave anything to God. They did not serve the true God. Perhaps they gave to God when they felt guilty because of their many evil deeds – or perhaps they thought that their gifts would bring them good luck. Athaliah, of course, never gave anything to God – she hated the true God and she sent her sons to rob his temple (2 Chronicles 24:7).
Joash gave all these precious objects to the king of Aram. Joash even handed over the gifts that he himself had given to God. Formerly, Joash had filled store rooms at the temple with gold – perhaps he intended for this to pay for future repairs to the temple. However, the king of Aram took it all.
Next part: The death of Joash (2 Kings 12:19-21)
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