John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days , etc.] Worshipping the only true God, and ruling and walking according to the law of God: wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him ; and so long as he observed his instructions, and as long as that priest lived, he reigned well; for to that period “all his days must be limited”; for after his death he was seduced by the princes of Judah to idolatry, and lived scandalously, and died ignominiously; (see 2 Chronicles 24:2,7,25).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-16 - It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and wel for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple wa out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king wa zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the suppor of religion, the redress of grievances, and repairing of decays. The king employed the priests to manage, as most likely to be hearty in the work. But nothing was done effectually till the twenty-third year of his reign. Another method was therefore taken. When publi distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be mad cheerfully. While they were getting all they could for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon the stated maintenance of the priests. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. Those that were intrusted did the business carefully and faithfully. They did not lay it out in ornament for the temple, till the other work was completed; hence we may learn in all our expenses, to prefer that which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves.
Original Hebrew ויעשׂ6213 יהואשׁ3060 הישׁר3477 בעיני5869 יהוה3068 כל3605 ימיו3117 אשׁר834 הורהו3384 יהוידע3077 הכהן׃3548
