2 Chronicles 24:6
So the king called Jehoiada the high priest and said, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?"
So the king called Jehoiada the chief priest
This phrase introduces us to the central figures in this narrative: the king, Joash, and Jehoiada, the chief priest. Joash, having been saved and raised by Jehoiada, shows a deep respect for the priestly authority. The Hebrew root for "called" (קָרָא, qara) implies a summoning with purpose, indicating the king's intent to address a significant issue. Jehoiada, as the chief priest, held a position of spiritual leadership, guiding the religious and moral direction of the nation. His role was crucial in maintaining the covenantal relationship between God and Israel.

and said, 'Why have you not required the Levites
The king's question highlights a lapse in religious duty. The Levites, descendants of Levi, were set apart for temple service and religious instruction. The Hebrew word for "required" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) suggests a seeking or demanding accountability. This reflects the king's concern for adherence to God's commands, emphasizing the importance of spiritual diligence and responsibility in leadership.

to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem
This phrase underscores the geographical and communal scope of the command. Judah and Jerusalem represent the heart of the Israelite nation, both politically and spiritually. The call to bring in resources from these areas signifies a collective responsibility and participation in the worship and maintenance of the temple, the center of Israelite worship.

the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD
Here, the text refers to the historical and scriptural precedent set by Moses. The "tax" (מַשָּׂא, massa) was a contribution for the upkeep of the Tent of Meeting, as outlined in Exodus 30:11-16. Moses, as "the servant of the LORD," serves as a model of obedience and leadership. This reference to Mosaic law reinforces the continuity of God's covenant and the enduring nature of His commands.

and by the assembly of Israel
The "assembly of Israel" (קְהַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, qahal Yisrael) refers to the collective body of God's people. This communal aspect highlights the shared responsibility in upholding the covenant and supporting the temple. It reflects the biblical principle that worship and service to God are communal acts, involving the entire faith community.

for the Tent of the Testimony?
The "Tent of the Testimony" (אֹהֶל הָעֵדוּת, ohel ha'edut) is another term for the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites before the construction of the temple. It housed the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence and His covenant with Israel. This reference serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the centrality of worship in the life of His people. The king's concern for the Tent's upkeep underscores the importance of maintaining a place where God's presence is honored and His people can gather for worship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Joash
The king of Judah who initiated the restoration of the temple. He was concerned about the neglect of the temple tax.

2. Jehoiada the Chief Priest
A faithful priest who played a significant role in Joash's early reign and was responsible for the spiritual oversight of the temple.

3. Levites
The tribe assigned to religious duties, including the collection of the temple tax.

4. Judah and Jerusalem
The southern kingdom and its capital, where the temple was located and the tax was to be collected.

5. Moses and the Assembly of Israel
Refers to the historical precedent set by Moses for the collection of a tax for the maintenance of the Tent of the Testimony, which was the precursor to the temple.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
Spiritual leaders, like Jehoiada, have a responsibility to ensure that God's commands are followed. This includes practical aspects like financial stewardship for religious purposes.

The Role of Accountability
Joash's questioning of Jehoiada highlights the need for accountability in leadership. Leaders must be held accountable to ensure that God's work is prioritized and maintained.

The Principle of Giving
The temple tax represents a broader biblical principle of giving to support God's work. Believers today are called to contribute to their local church and ministries.

Historical Precedent and Continuity
The reference to Moses and the assembly of Israel underscores the continuity of God's commands across generations. It reminds us of the importance of adhering to biblical principles established in the past.

Revival and Restoration
Joash's actions reflect a desire for spiritual revival and restoration. Believers are encouraged to seek renewal in their personal and communal worship practices.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Jehoiada as a spiritual leader inform our understanding of leadership responsibilities in the church today?

2. In what ways can we ensure accountability within our church or ministry settings, similar to Joash's approach with Jehoiada?

3. How does the principle of giving, as seen in the temple tax, apply to our financial stewardship and support of the church today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the historical continuity of God's commands, as seen in the reference to Moses and the assembly of Israel?

5. How can we actively participate in the revival and restoration of our personal and communal worship practices, following the example of Joash's reforms?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 30:11-16
This passage outlines the original command given to Moses regarding the collection of a census tax for the maintenance of the Tent of Meeting, which parallels the tax mentioned in 2 Chronicles 24:6.

2 Kings 12:4-16
Provides a parallel account of Joash's efforts to repair the temple, offering additional context to the events in 2 Chronicles 24.

Nehemiah 10:32-33
Describes a later commitment by the Israelites to continue the practice of temple support, showing the ongoing importance of this principle.
A Good Intention Well Carried OutT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 24:4-11
Church RenovationW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Indifferences RebukedA. Maclaren, D.D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Joash Repairing the TempleMonday Club Sermons2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Repairing the TempleF. W. P. Greenwood, D.D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
The Temple RepairedH. H. French.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
The Temple RepairedW. Landrum, D. D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
People
Amaziah, Aram, Athaliah, David, Jehoiada, Jehozabad, Joash, Levites, Shimeath, Shimrith, Syrians, Zabad, Zechariah, Zibiah
Places
Beersheba, Damascus, Jerusalem
Topics
Assembly, Bring, Calleth, Chief, Collection, Commandment, Congregation, Fixed, Got, Handed, Hast, Haven't, Imposed, Jehoiada, Jehoi'ada, Jerusalem, Judah, Laid, Levied, Levites, Levy, Meeting, Orders, Priest, Required, Servant, Summoned, Tabernacle, Tax, Tent, Testimony, Tribute, Wherefore, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 24:6

     5103   Moses, significance
     5576   tax collectors
     7330   chief priests

2 Chronicles 24:1-14

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Chronicles 24:4-12

     5577   taxation

2 Chronicles 24:4-13

     5508   ruins

Library
The King's Farewell
'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30. And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Joash
'And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.... 17. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.'--2 CHRON. xxiv. 2, 17. Here we have the tragedy of a soul. Joash begins life well and for the greater part of it remains faithful to his conscience and to his duty, and then, when outward circumstances change, he casts all behind him, forgets the past and commits moral
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
'And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord. 5. And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. 6. And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Channel of Power.
A Word that Sticks and Stings. I suppose everyone here can think of three or four persons whom he loves or regards highly, who are not christians. Can you? Perhaps in your own home circle, or in the circle of your close friends. They may be nice people, cultured, lovable, delightful companions, fond of music and good books, and all that; but this is true of them, that they do not trust and confess Jesus as a personal Savior. Can you think of such persons in your own circle? I am going to wait a
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Conclusion
"Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6). In our Foreword to the Second Edition we acknowledge the need for preserving the balance of Truth. Two things are beyond dispute: God is Sovereign, man is responsible. In this book we have sought to expound the former; in our other works we have frequently pressed the latter. That there is real danger of over-emphasising the one and ignoring the other, we readily admit; yea, history furnishes numerous examples of cases of each. To emphasise
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Chronicles 24:6 NIV
2 Chronicles 24:6 NLT
2 Chronicles 24:6 ESV
2 Chronicles 24:6 NASB
2 Chronicles 24:6 KJV

2 Chronicles 24:6 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Chronicles 24:5
Top of Page
Top of Page