CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
2 Kings 12:4. All the money of the dedicated things—i.e., consecrated money; and it is specified as threefold:
1. Money of the numbered (so read the words), viz., those who pass through the enumeration (see Exodus 30:12-14).
2. Money of the estimation, viz., the redemption price of a person who had devoted himself or his property to the Lord, and wished to effect his or its redemption (Leviticus 27:1-8).
3. Freewill offerings.
2 Kings 12:7. Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?—The natural interpretation of the failure is that the priests had been negligent, and that the money paid in liquidation of vows, and the voluntary gifts of the people, had been used for other purposes than those the king intended. But that the king consulted these priests concerning a new method indicates that he did not regard them as guilty of embezzlement. The case probably was, that the current expenses of the maintenance of the priests and of the temple worship absorbed all the finances, leaving no surplus for repairs. Yet they ought to have shown more zeal, and this is to their reproach.
2 Kings 12:9. Jehoiada took a chest—A scheme for preserving the account for repairs separate from the current and incidental expenses. The people welcomed the arrangement (2 Chronicles 24:9-10), for they knew now that their gifts would go to their intended purposes.
2 Kings 12:10. They put it in bags, and told the money—The king sent his own secretary, together with a scribe of the high priest, that the money might be counted. It was then handed to the overseers, who directed the work of repairs. In Oriental countries money is still counted, put in bags, labelled, and sealed by a duly authorized officer, and then passed into currency.
2 Kings 12:13. Howbeit there were not made bowls, &c.—Until the repairs were completed, this money was not used for necessary articles of temple furniture.
2 Kings 12:15. They reckoned not with the men—Their integrity being beyond suspicion.
2 Kings 12:16. It was the priests—According to direct enactment (Leviticus 5:16; Numbers 5:8).
HOMILETICS OF 2 Kings 12:4-16
THE RESTORATION OF THE HOUSE OF GOD A WORK OF GENUINE PIETY
THE prominence given in the history to the repair of the Temple by Joash indicates that it was the chief incident of his reign. As David was the founder, and Solomon the builder, of the House of Jehovah, so Joash, with whom the house of David recommenced, was the restorer of the Sanctuary. It must have been an act of gratitude and joy on the part of the king to repair the breaches of that temple which had been his shelter and home from his tenderest years. He engaged the priests and people in the work, to give to the movement a national character, and to give this outward proof that the king and people were sincere in renewing their covenant with Jehovah. Observe—
I. That the restoration of the house of God may be delayed by the indifference of those who might be supposed most anxious for its promotion (2 Kings 12:4-6). The work was committed to the priests, who would naturally be expected to be most interested in hastening its completion; but in this both king and people were disappointed. Years rolled away, and nothing was done. It does not appear that the priests can be charged with any intention to misappropriate the money; but it is evident that there was gross mismanagement and neglect somewhere. It is a painful spectacle when the officers of the temple are apathetic as to its condition, and disappoint the expectations of those who have cheerfully offered their help; worse still when the gifts of the people are wrongfully applied. There are those in the churches to-day who imbibe too much of the spirit of these priests. They would see the sanctuary almost tumble about their heads in ruins before they would initiate any movement to repair and renovate it, and would do all they could to debar others from working in that direction. Piety is at a low ebb in that soul which is so indifferent to the outer fabric of God’s house.
II. That the restoration of the house of God is a work worthy of a monarch’s zeal (2 Kings 12:7). The soul of David burned with a holy and fervent desire to build a house for God; but he was permitted to do nothing more than prepare for it. The climax of Solomon’s great works was the building and dedication of the Temple, and now Joash regards it as an honour and privilege to repair the delapidations of that sacred fane. He stirred up the zeal of his aged instructor, rebuked the priests for their supineness and negligence, and organized the enterprise on a sound and popular basis. It is a work befitting a king to be concerned in the honour and beauty of God’s house. The prince who is interested in the religious welfare of his people will not be inattentive to inferior matters.
III. That the restoration of the house of God is accomplished only by resolute and united effort.
1. By the willing and liberal offerings of the people. Money is a talent, not to be squandered in reckless extravagance, but to be wisely and discreetly employed. It cannot be better employed than in connection with the house of God. The gift, to be acceptable, must be voluntarily and cheerfully offered: “All the money that cometh into any man’s heart to bring into the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 12:4). Where this spirit of generosity prevails there is no difficulty in carrying out great religious undertakings. “The manner of giving,” says Lavater, “shows the character of the giver more than the gift itself.”
The truly generous is the truly wise;
And he who loves not others, lives unblest.
2. By the strict and impartial administration of funds (2 Kings 12:9-12). The mismanagement of the priests had brought the work into discredit, and checked the flow of offerings into the church treasury. All this was altered. An offertory chest was especially provided; to show that the priests were not regarded as intentionally dishonest in the misappropriation of previous gifts, the chest was placed under their care. At stated times it was opened, the money counted in the presence of the high priest and the king’s secretary, and handed over in definite sums to those who had charge of the work. Public confidence was restored, and the people gave cheerfully of their substance. “Put it out of the power of truth to give you an ill character, and if anybody reports you not to be an honest man, let your practice give him the lie; and to make all sure, you should resolve to live no longer than you can live honestly, for it is better to be nothing, than a knave. An honest death is better than a dishonest life.”
3. By the judicious avoidance of unnecessary expense (2 Kings 12:13). Vessels of silver and gold were afterwards provided (2 Chronicles 24:14); but not until the substantial part of the restoration was completed. Utility and beauty are not antagonistic, but may be gracefully combined.
Thou shalt learn
The wisdom early to discern
True beauty in utility.—Longfellow.
To spend money in decoration and display to the neglect of actual and immediate necessities is an unjustifiable extravagance.
4. By the conscientious and faithful labour of the workmen (2 Kings 12:14-15). A vigorous administration makes itself felt in every detail of the work it undertakes, and communicates its own enthusiasm to the humblest worker. It gives a dignity to labour when it is done conscientiously, and from the love of it. “Where love is, there is no labour; and if there be labour, that labour is loved.” In this re-organization of the restoration movement we observe all the elements of success—prompt decided action, generous giving, careful but not stinted expenditure, earnest and united toil. Addison writes: “If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counsellor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.”
IV. That the restoration of the house of God does not interfere with the necessary maintenance of the duly appointed servants of that house (2 Kings 12:16). The priests had surrendered in favour of the restoration fund much of what they had been accustomed to receive (2 Kings 12:8), but the revenue from the trespass offerings and sin offerings was still given to them. This belonged to them by law (Numbers 5:8-9, Leviticus 5:16). The due maintenance of the ministry is divinely authorized. The necessities of one branch of the service of God ought not to interfere with the claims of another. The minister of God should be so provided for as to raise him above all anxieties that would divert his mind from complete devotion to his proper work.
LESSONS:—
1. The house of God is not only a convenience for worshippers, but also a public witness for religion.
2. The building of a house of God calls for the liberality and united zeal of His people.
3. Suggests the need of continued effort in building up the spiritual temple.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2 Kings 12:4. The responsibility of wealth. I. Not to be used for personal aggrandisement and indulgence. II. Is most nobly employed in promoting the worship of God. III. Should be offered to God with a liberal hand and a cheerful heart.
2 Kings 12:5. The decay of God’s house a symptom of moral decay. I. Shows the prevalence of a worldly and selfish spirit. II. Shows an indifference to the highest claims of God and the soul. III. An evidence of national deterioration. IV. Calls for repentance and reformation.
—When the building in which a congregation assembles to worship God, to hear His word, and to receive the means of grace, is left ruinous, God does not receive the honour which belongs to Him. Where the churches fall to ruin, there religion and piety also fall into decay; but where there is love of God and joy in His word, there no ruinous churches are seen. A time in which magnificent palaces, theatres, and ball-rooms are repaired, or built at great expense, but in which the houses of God are left small, wretched, dirty, and ruinous, is a time of religious decay, and resembles the time of Athaliah in Judah. The spiritual temple may in time become ruinous through unbelief, worldly life and behaviour, and immorality. Where are the congregations in which there is nothing ruinous or decayed, in which nothing could be improved? How many are in ruins and ready to fall!—Lange.
2 Kings 12:7-15. Thorough organization an aid to success. I. Emphasizes the importance of the work to be done. II. Interests and engages all classes of the community. III. Adopts the best methods to elicit the generosity of the people. IV. Creates confidence as to the just administration of the funds. V. Reacts upon the enthusiasm and fidelity of all engaged in the work.
2 Kings 12:7. “Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?” A searching question. I. Addressed to the wealthy. II. To all the worshippers of Jehovah. III. To all unfaithful ministers. IV. To imperfect believers.
—Works which are pleasing to God cannot be accomplished by careless hands. They are only accomplished where zeal is united with perseverance, patience, and fidelity. How many a congregation has fallen into decay and remained so, because those who were appointed to be the builders of it, who ought to have repaired and built it, have not raised their negligent hands (Hebrews 12:12; Jeremiah 48:10). Although no earthly king may ever call them to account, yet the Heavenly King, before whose judgment-seat they must appear to give an account of their office, will ask—“Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?”
2 Kings 12:13. The necessary precedes the ornamental. I. It is so in the economy of nature. II. Should be so in the house of God. III. Should be so in the arrangements of social life. IV. The ornamental is not condemned in itself—only when it supersedes and ignores the necessary and useful.
—The utilitarian. He is a slave to science. He would pull—
Great heaven to pieces, and anatomize
Each fragment of its crystal battlements,
Weigh out its hymns, divide its light, and class
The radiant feathers of archangels’ wings.
Do we not know—doth he not know—that still
Mysterious wonder aye must reign above us,
Struggle howe’er we may! Doth he not know
That adoration and great wonder, like
Good deeds which bless the giver, ever lift
The soul above the dust, and strengthen us?
Cornwall.
2 Kings 12:16. Ministerial maintenance. I. Authorized by the Word of God. II. A just arrangement. III. Not to be interfered with by other claims.