XII Jehoash reigns well while Jehoiada lives, ver. 1-3. Repairs the temple, ver. 4-16. Compounds with Hazael, ver. 17, 18. Dies ingloriously, ver. 19-21.

Verse 3. Burnt incense - To the true God.

Verse 4. And Jehoash said, &c. - Remembering that he owed his preservation and restoration to the temple, and that he was made by God the guardian of his temple, he now takes care to repair it. Dedicated things - The money which had been either formerly or lately vowed or dedicated to the service of God and of his house. That is brought - Or rather, that shall be brought: for though the people might vow to bring it thither in convenient time, yet it is not likely they would bring much money thither in the tyrannical and idolatrous reign of Athaliah. The money - The half shekel, which was paid for every one that was numbered from twenty years old and upward. Is set at - Hebrew. the money of souls, or persons according to his taxing, the money which every man that had vowed his person to God, paid according to the rate which the priest put upon him. That cometh - All that shall be freely offered.

Verse 15. Faithfully - For they perceived by many experiments that they were faithful.