This chapter summarizes Joash's 40 year reign under the mentorship of the priest Jehoiada. In general Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but he did not remove the pagan high places where the people still offered pagan sacrifices.
Joash's principal concern seems to have been the repair of the temple. He organized a collection box or chest to collect money for this at the entrance to the temple, and the money collected was used to buy timber and blocks of dressed stone, and to pay the carpenters, builders, masons and stonecutters. They did not use the money to purchase expensive items of gold and silver.
Then Hazael king of Aram turned to attack Jerusalem after having captured Gath, but Joash appeased Hazael by giving him the gold and silver from the temple and the palace so that Hazael went away. Later Joash's officials betrayed him and murdered him and his son Amaziah succeeded him as king.
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