John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Then King Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests , etc.] The common priests, Jehoiada being high priest: and said unto them, why repair ye not the breaches of the house ? in which they appeared to him very dilatory; the reason might be, the people were not forward to pay in their money, and they might not choose to begin the repairs until they had got it all in, or at least what was sufficient to carry them through them: now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance ; suspecting that what they had received they kept for their own use: but deliver it for the breaches of the house ; into other hands for that use, and so dismissed them at once from collecting the money, and being concerned in the repairs of the temple.
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 ויקרא7121 המלך4428 יהואשׁ3060 ליהוידע3077 הכהן3548 ולכהנים3548 ויאמר559 אלהם413 מדוע4069 אינכם369 מחזקים2388 את853 בדק919 הבית1004 ועתה6258 אל408 תקחו3947 כסף3701 מאת853 מכריכם4378 כי3588 לבדק919 הבית1004 תתנהו׃5414
