Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Chronicles
Book: 2 Chronicles
Chapter: 24
Overview:
Joash, of
Judah, The
Temple repaired.
(1-14) Joash falls into
Idolatry, He is slain
By his servants.
(15-27)
1-14 Joash is more zealous about the repair of the
Temple than
Jehoiada himself. It is easier to build temples, than to be
temples to
God. But the repairing of places for public
Worship
is a good work, which all should promote. And many a good work
would be done that now lies undone, if active men would
Put it
forward.
15-27 See what a great
Judgment On any
Prince or people, the
Death of godly, zealous, useful men is. See how necessary it is
that we act in religion from inward principle. Then the loss of
a parent, a
Minister, or a friend, will not be losing our
religion. Often both princes and inferior people have been
flattered to their ruin. True
Grace alone will enable a
Man to
bring forth
Fruit unto the
End. Zechariah, the son of
Jehoiada,
being filled with the
Spirit of
Prophecy, stood up, and told the
people of their
Sin. This is the work of ministers,
By the
Word
of
God, as a
Lamp and a
Light, to discover the
Sin of men, and
expound the providences of
God. They stoned
Zechariah to
Death
in the
Court of the
House of the
Lord. Observe the dying
Martyr's words: The
Lord look upon it, and require it! This came
not from a
Spirit of revenge, but a
Spirit of
Prophecy.
God
smote
Joash with great diseases, of body, or mind, or both,
before the Syrians departed from him. If vengeance pursue men,
the
End of one trouble will be but the beginning of another. His
own servants slew him. These judgments are called the burdens
laid upon him, for the wrath of
God is a heavy
Burden, too heavy
for any
Man to
Bear. May
God help us to take warning, to be
upright in
Heart, and to persevere in his ways to the
End.