2 Kings 12:9

But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD.

But Jehoiada {H3077} the priest {H3548} took {H3947} a {H259} chest {H727}, and bored {H5344} a hole {H2356} in the lid {H1817} of it, and set {H5414} it beside {H681} the altar {H4196}, on the right side {H3225} as one {H376} cometh {H935} into the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}: and the priests {H3548} that kept {H8104} the door {H5592} put {H5414} therein all the money {H3701} that was brought {H935} into the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Then Y'hoyada the cohen took a chest, drilled a hole in its lid and set it by the altar, on the right, as one enters the house of ADONAI; and the cohanim in charge of the entry put in it all the money brought into the house of ADONAI.

Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar on the right side as one enters the house of the LORD. There the priests who guarded the threshold put all the money brought into the house of the LORD.

But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of Jehovah: and the priests that kept the threshold put therein all the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

This verse from 2 Kings details an ingenious and practical innovation by Jehoiada the priest, crucial for the restoration of the Jerusalem Temple during the reign of King Joash. It describes the establishment of a collection system designed to gather funds efficiently and transparently for the much-needed repairs of the "house of the LORD."

Context

King Joash, having been saved and raised by Jehoiada the priest (as detailed in 2 Kings chapter 11), began his reign with a heart inclined to the Lord, largely due to Jehoiada's godly influence. The Temple, however, had fallen into disrepair during the tumultuous reign of Joash's grandmother, Athaliah. Joash had initially commanded the priests to collect money for repairing the house of the LORD, but this system proved ineffective (2 Kings 12:6-8). Jehoiada, demonstrating wise leadership and administrative acumen, devises a new, more direct method of collection, as described in this verse.

Key Themes

  • Stewardship and Accountability: Jehoiada's creation of the chest with a hole in the lid, placed prominently, was a practical measure to ensure that contributions were received directly and securely. It was a clear system for collecting funds for a specific, sacred purpose, reflecting good stewardship of God's resources.
  • Transparency in Giving: By placing the chest "beside the altar" and having the "priests that kept the door" oversee the process, Jehoiada fostered an environment of openness and trust. This public method of collection likely encouraged participation and minimized suspicion, contrasting with the less effective previous system.
  • Community Support for Sacred Institutions: The success of this method implies the people's willingness to give generously towards the upkeep of their central place of worship. Their contributions were vital for the physical restoration of the Temple, symbolizing a spiritual renewal for the nation.
  • Divine Providence and Human Ingenuity: God often works through human wisdom and practical solutions. Jehoiada's innovative approach highlights how practical administration can facilitate God's work, ensuring that resources are available for spiritual purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "house of the LORD" (Hebrew: Bayit Yahweh - ื‘ึผึตื™ืช ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”) consistently refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. Its frequent use emphasizes the sacred nature of the building as God's dwelling place among His people, making its repair and maintenance a matter of utmost spiritual importance. The "chest" (Hebrew: 'aron - ืึธืจื•ึนืŸ) here is a simple box, distinct from the Ark of the Covenant, but equally vital in this context for the Temple's functioning.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless principles for modern believers and organizations. It underscores the importance of:

  • Transparent Financial Management: Whether in churches, charities, or personal finances, clear and honest handling of funds builds trust and encourages support.
  • Proactive Problem Solving: Jehoiada didn't just lament the Temple's disrepair; he devised a practical solution when the initial approach failed. This teaches us to be innovative and adaptable in addressing challenges.
  • Supporting God's Work: Just as the Israelites contributed to the Temple, believers today are called to support ministries and institutions that further God's kingdom and serve His people. The principle of bringing offerings and tithes into the storehouse remains relevant.
  • Integrity and Trust: The system ensured that those handling the money were trustworthy, as later verses confirm that no accounting was required of those who paid the workmen because "they dealt faithfully" (2 Kings 12:15). This emphasizes the value of character in leadership.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 12:41

    ยถ And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

  • Jeremiah 35:4

    And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which [was] by the chamber of the princes, which [was] above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door:

  • Psalms 84:10

    For a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:24

    And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah [were] doorkeepers for the ark.

  • Luke 21:1

    ยถ And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

  • 2 Kings 23:4

    ยถ And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:8

    And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.
โ† Back