2 Kings 12 - Summary

Joash reigns forty years in Jerusalem doing right all the days Jehoiada instructs him, though high places remain. He orders the priests to repair the temple with all money brought as offerings; by the twenty-third year they have not made repairs, so Joash has a chest placed beside the altar where worshipers deposit contributions directly. Jehoiada and the royal secretary count the silver and pay workers directly—carpenters, builders, masons, stonecutters, and for timber and stone purchases. No bowls, snuffers, or vessels are made from this silver; it goes entirely to workmen. No accounting is required because the workers are honest. Hazael marches on Jerusalem; Joash sends all the temple and palace treasures as tribute to divert him. Joash's servants conspire and strike him down at the house of Millo; he is buried with his fathers and Amaziah succeeds him.