Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXIV 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 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. The sons - Ahaziah, and his brethren before they were carried away captive, chap.21:17, who did this by her instigation, as this phrase implies. Broke up - Both broke up the treasuries, and defaced the house itself. Vessels - Because Athaliah and her sons had taken the old ones away, ver.7. 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! 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. 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. 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!