2 Chronicles 24:1-18 ▼

1 Joash (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).

2 And 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.

3 Jehoiada (YHWH knows) took for him two wives, and he had sons and daughters.

4 Some time later, Joash (given by the Lord) set his heart on repairing the house of the LORD {YHWH}.

5 So 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.

6 So 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?”

7 For 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).

8 At the king’s command a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the house of the LORD {YHWH}.

9 And 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.

10 All the officers and all the people rejoiced and brought their contributions, and they dropped them in the chest until it was full.

11 Whenever 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.

12 Then 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.

13 So 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.

14 When 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.

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

16 And 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.

17 After the death of Jehoiada, however (YHWH knows), the officials of Judah (praised) came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.

18 They 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.