Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 12:17
Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
17 21. Hazael threatens to attack Jerusalem, but is bought off by Jehoash. A conspiracy is formed against Jehoash, and he is murdered (2Ch 24:23-27)
17. Hazael ] See chap. 2Ki 8:8.
fought against Gath ] Gath was one of the five great cities of the Philistines, though it is not clear whether at this time it was in the hands of Judah or of the Philistines. It lay almost directly west between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean. Before he came to Gath, Hazael must have made his way through the northern kingdom of Israel.
Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem ] It is needful to mention here those events in the history of Judah which the Chronicler records before the story of the Syrian invasion, but which are not noticed in 2 Kings. Jehoiada the high priest died at the age of 130, and was buried with great honour among the kings of Judah. After that Jehoash, following the persuasions of the princes of Judah, fell away into idolatry, and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. God sent them prophets but they gave no ear. Among others Zechariah the son of Jehoiada rebuked both king and people for their transgressions, and at the king’s commandment the people stoned him to death in the court of the house of the Lord. So Jehoash slew the son of his benefactor, and Zechariah when dying appealed to God against his countrymen and their king, saying, ‘The Lord look upon it and require it’. The Syrian expedition is evidently regarded by the Chronicler as a visitation from God for these sins of the land. But he gives us also some details which are required for the understanding of 2 Kings. It seems strange when we read here that Jehoash made the large sacrifices described in the next verse because Hazael had merely set his face (i.e. formed the design) to go up to Jerusalem. But when this is supplemented by the statement (2Ch 24:23-24) that the host of Syria had come to Judah and Jerusalem, and had destroyed all the princes of the people, and had sent the spoil to the king of Damascus (i.e. Hazael), and also that a very great host of Judah had been conquered by a small company of Syrians, we are at no loss to understand the sacrifices which Jehoash made to buy off so formidable an enemy.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
There was probably a considerable interval between the conclusion of the arrangement for the repairs and the Syrian expedition related in these verses. For the events which had happened, see 2Ch 24:15-22.
2Ki 12:17
This is the first and last time that we hear of the Damascene Syrians undertaking so distant an expedition. Gath (see Jos 13:3 note) could only be reached from Syria through Israel or Judah. It was not more than 25 or 30 miles from Jerusalem. It is uncertain whether the city belonged at this time to Judah or to the Philistines.
Hazael set his face … – This is a phrase for determination generally, but especially for determination to proceed somewhere (compare Jer 42:15; Luk 9:51). Jerusalem can scarcely have been the primary object of this expedition, or it would have been attacked by a less circuitous route. Perhaps the Syrians were induced to make a sudden march against the Jewish capital, by learning, while at Gath, that a revolution had occurred there (compare 2Ch 24:18-23).
2Ki 12:18
Jehoash did not submit without a struggle. See the details in Chronicles. It was not until his army was defeated that he followed the example of his ancestor, Asa, and bought the friendship of the Syrians with the temple treasures (1Ki 15:18. Compare the conduct of Hezekiah, 2Ki 18:15-16).
Jehoram and Ahaziah – Though these two monarchs had been worshippers of Baal, yet they had combined with that idolatrous cult a certain amount of decent respect for the old religion. It is evident from this passage that they had made costly offerings to the temple.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. Hazael – fought against Gath, and took it] This city, with its satrapy or lordship, had been taken from the Philistines by David, (see 2Sa 8:1, and 1Ch 18:1); and it had continued in the possession of the kings of Judah till this time. On what pretence Hazael seized it, we cannot tell; he had the ultima ratio regum, power to do it, and he wanted more territory.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Then, i.e. in this kings days, when Jehoiada was dead, and Joash revolted from God; of which see 2Ch 24:17 &c. Gath; once a city of the Philistines, but taken by David, 1Ch 18:1, and now a part of the kingdom of Judah.
Set his face, i.e. directed his march, and led his forces. Or, undertook in good earnest. So the same phrase is used 2Ch 20:3; Jer 21:10; Eze 35:2.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17, 18. Then Hazael . . . foughtagainst Gath(See on 2Ch 24:23).
2Ki12:19-21. HE ISSLAIN.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath, and took it,…. When Jehoiada was dead, and Jehoash was become an apostate, the Lord suffered the king of Syria to be a scourge to him; who first attacked Gath, and took it, which was formerly one of the principalities of the Philistines, but was subdued by David, and had been in the hands of the Israelites ever since; the king of Syria began with this, as nearest to him, to open the way for what he had further in view:
and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem; he made such preparations, and took such measures, as plainly indicated what his design was.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The brief account of Hazael’s campaign against Jerusalem is completed by 2Ch 24:23-24. Hazael had gone down along the coast after defeating Israel (see 2Ki 13:3), for the purpose of making war upon Judah also, and had taken Gath, which Rehoboam had fortified (2Ch 11:8). He then set his face, i.e., determined, to advance to Jerusalem; and Joash took the temple treasures, etc. According to the Chronicles, he sent an army against Judah and Jerusalem, which destroyed all the princes of the nation and sent much booty to the king to Damascus, as the small army of the Syrians had smitten the very large army of Judah. To protect Jerusalem, after this defeat, from being taken by the Syrians, Joash sent all the treasures of the temple and palace to Hazael, and so purchased the withdrawal of the Syrians. In this way the two brief accounts of the war may be both reconciled and explained; whereas the opinion, still repeated by Thenius, that the two passages treat of different wars, has no tenable ground to rest upon. The Philistian city of Gath (see the Comm. on Jos 13:3) appears to have belonged at that time to the kingdom of Judah, so that the Gathites were not among the Philistines who made an incursion into Judah in the reign of Joram along with the Arabian tribes of the south (2Ch 21:16). And it is impossible to determine when Gath was wrested from the Syrians again; probably in the time of Joash the son of Jehoahaz of Israel, as he recovered from the Syrians all the cities which they had taken from the Israelites under Jehoahaz (2Ki 13:25), and even smote Amaziah the king of Judaea at Bethshemesh and took him prisoner (2Ki 14:13; 2Ch 25:21.). “All the consecrated things, which Jehoshaphat, Joram, and Ahaziah had consecrated, and his own consecrated things,” i.e., what he (Joash) himself had consecrated. The existence of such temple treasures is not at variance either with the previous account of the repairing of the temple, for Joash would not use the consecrated offerings for the restoration of the temple, as the current revenue of the temple was sufficient for the purpose, or with 2Ch 24:7, where it is stated that Athaliah and her sons had applied all the to the Baals (see at 2Ki 12:5); for even if we are to understand by the sons of Athaliah not bastard sons (Ewald, Gesch. iii. p. 582), but the brethren of Joram whom the Philistines and Arabians had carried off, Ahaziah and Joram, although they both of them served Baal, may, from political considerations, have now and then made consecrated gifts to the temple, if only in a passing fit of religious fear.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Death of Joash, King of Judah. | B. C. 840. |
17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. 18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. 19 And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 20 And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla. 21 For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
When Joash had revolted from God and become both an idolater and a persecutor the hand of the Lord went out against him, and his last state was worse than his first.
I. His wealth and honour became an easy prey to his neighbours. Hazael, when he had chastised Israel (ch. x. 32), threatened Judah and Jerusalem likewise, took Gath, a strong city (v. 17), and thence intended to march with his forces against Jerusalem, the royal city, the holy city, but whose defence, on account of its sinfulness, had departed. Joash had neither spirit nor strength to make head against him, but gave him all the hallowed things, and all the gold that was found both in his exchequer and in the treasures of the temple (v. 18), to bribe him to march another way. If it were lawful to do this for the public safety, better part with the gold of the temple than expose the temple itself; yet, 1. If he had not forsaken God, and forfeited his protection, his affairs would not have been brought to this extremity, but he might have forced Hazael to retire. 2. He diminished himself, and made himself very mean, lost the honour of a prince and a soldier, and of an Israelite too, in alienating the dedicated things. 3. He impoverished himself and his kingdom. And, 4. He tempted Hazael to come again, when he could carry home so rich a booty without striking a stroke. And it had this effect, for the next year the host of Syria came up against Jerusalem, destroyed the prince, and plundered the city, 2Ch 24:23; 2Ch 24:24.
II. His life became an easy prey to his own servants. They conspired against him and slew him (2Ki 12:20; 2Ki 12:21), not aiming at his kingdom, for they opposed not his son’s succeeding him, but to be avenged on him for some crime he had committed; and we are told in Chronicles that his murdering the prophet, Jehoiada’s son, was the provocation. In this, how unrighteous soever they were (vengeance was not theirs, nor did it belong to them to repay), God was righteous; and this was not the only time that he let even kings know that it was at their peril if they touched his anointed and did his prophets any harm, and that, when he comes to make inquisition for blood, the blood of prophets will run the account very high. Thus fell Joash, who began in the spirit and ended in the flesh. God usually sets marks of his displeasure upon apostates, even in this life; for they, of all sinners, do most reproach the Lord.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
End of Joesh- Commentary on 2Ki 12:17-21 AND 2Ch 24:17-27
The Chronicles section, verses 17-22, precede the remaining section of Kings in the story of Joash. It reveal a sad event in the career of the king and illustrates his moral lack of persuasion. As long as Joash had the strength of the old priest, Jehoiada, to strengthen and bolster him he was an exceptional leader of the people. But he was like many today who will stand for God when others take the leadership, but who fail when left to stand alone (2Th 2:15)
The pagan-minded princes of Judah approached the king after Jehoiada’s death, fawning over him with their flattery, and persuaded him to forsake the house of the Lord and to allow the people to reinstitute the worship of idols in the groves and in the hills and mountains. God was highly displeased with their trespass of His covenant, which they had renewed in the inception of Joash’s reign. He sent His prophets to preach to them and rebuke them for their relapse into idolatry.
Notable among those raised up at this time was the son and successor of Jehoiada, and the priest Zechariah. The gist of Zechariah’s messages was a three-point sermon: 1) The commandment of God has been transgressed; 2) Judah cannot prosper, having forsaken the Lord; 3) God has forsaken those who have forsaken Him. His preaching was bitter gall to the princes, and with the permission of the king they made a conspiracy against Zechariah and stoned him to death in the temple before the very altar of sacrifice which portrayed the coming atonement of the Messiah.
The Scripture makes note of this sorry behavior of Joash against the son of Jehoiada, who had saved his life and brought him to the kingship. In the very place where Joash allowed Zechariah to be murdered he had stood as a child and had the holy anointing oil poured on his head by the hand of Jehoiada and Zechariah and other of the high priest’s sons. Verse 25 indicates that Joash allowed the murder of all Jehoiada’s sons. Jesus alluded to this despicable deed of bloodshed (Mat 23:34-36), foretelling that God would judge the pious Pharisees who turned against Him.
It is also interesting to note the contrast of law and grace in this incident of the stoning of Zechariah and that of the stoning of Stephen (Act 7:60). Under the letter of the law Zechariah correctly prayed at his death, “Lord look upon it, and require it” (verse 22). In the efficacy of grace Stephen could pray, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Act 7:60).
God was not long bringing His judgment upon Joash and the princes of Judah in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prayer. Hazael, Israel’s nemesis, took a small force of men and raided the Philistine cities, taking Gath their major city. He then decided to assault Jerusalem. He should not have been able to succeed, for his forces were few in comparison to those of Judah, and he was far removed from his own country, capturing and killing the princes who had persuaded Joash to forsake God, and sending the booty to his city of Damascus. In desperation Joash gathered up all the gold and silver he could, stripping both the temple and the palace, and finally bought off Hazael, persuading him to return to his own country.
Judah was broken and humiliated, rightly blaming the king for his part. Though still a comparatively young man Joash was afflicted with some disease connected with these reverses. Many people held him accountable for the murder of Zechariah and his brothers. Ashamed and sick Joash took to his bed, and two of his servants came and killed him in bed, thinking to avenge the blood of the priests and thus to win the favor of the people. The men were sons of foreign women, one an Ammonitess, the other a Moabitess. Verse 27 of Chronicles hints of “burdens” which fell on Joash before his death, but does not reveal them. Doubtless his apostasy increased his burden of rulership, though nothing specific is related than his repair of the temple. It is hard to assess the spiritual condition of Joash, but he appears to have perhaps been a rebellious servant of the Lord who paid for his backsliding in his suffering and untimely death (cf. Lu 8:13). Joash was buried in the city of David, but was not accorded as great honor as was Jehoiada, his mentor, for he was not buried in the tombs of the kings.
Emphases from these chapters: 1) God’s men will stand stronger when others stand with them; 2) it is shameful, but true, that many put selfish needs ahead of the Lord; 3) God’s servants should display absolute integrity in their service; 4) at the end one’s life should be commendable before God and men; 5) the unjust will add to their sins in attempt to justify past deeds; 6) superior force counts nothing in those who forsake the Lord.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.
2Ki. 12:17. Hazael, king of Syria, fought against GathGath, formerly a town of the Philistines According to Chronicles, the expedition against Jerusalem occurred in the last year of Jehoashs reign, and it is there marked that this was a punishment from the Lord for the kings unfaithfulness to Him, and his cruelty to the prophet Zechariah. To secure Jerusalem, the king purchased the withdrawal of the Syrians with the treasures of Gods house.
2Ki. 12:20. His servants arose and slew JehoashHe was at the time in his bed with wounds, probably received in battle with the Syrians. Comp. the account in Chronicles.W. H. J.
HOMILETICS OF 2Ki. 12:17-21
THE UNHAPPY FATE OF AN UNFAITHFUL KING
AFTER the death of Jehoiada the career of Joash was a series of disasters. He became unfaithful to his covenant vows, and was seduced into idolatry. Having forsaken Jehovah, he was abandoned to his courses, and soon became a prey to his own evil passions and to the enemies who swooped down upon him with deadly intent.
I. His kingdom is harassed with war and rapine (2Ki. 12:17). The Syrians invaded his dominions, and, though insignificant in number, wrought much slaughter, and bore away great spoil. Under the pious rule of the good Jehoiada the nation was in peace, and grew in prosperity and riches. The nation that turns its back on Jehovah will not go unpunished. It is no wonder if it is smitten with the scourge of war and all its attendant woes. War, says Luther, is one of the greatest plagues that can afflict humanity. It destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge, in fact, is preferable to it. Famine and pestilence become as nothing in comparison with it. Pestilence is the least evil of the three, and twas therefore David chose it, willing rather to fall into the hands of God, than into those of pitiless man. War is the sink of all injustice.
II. He is demoralized with cowardice and fear (2Ki. 12:18). Instead of rallying his forces and meeting the enemy with a brave, determined spirit, Joash weakly yielded, and even despoiled the House of God of its valuables, and sacred vessels to bribe the Syrian king to withdraw. Conscious unfaithfulness is the parent of craven fear.
Cowards die many times before their death;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that man should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.Shakespeare.
III. His life is hurried to an untimely and ignominious end (2Ki. 12:20-21). Joash is smitten with disease, and yet, as if this was too slow a process to end his wretched life, a conspiracy was formed, and he was quickly despatched with the assassins sword. His murder of the son of his benefactor met with a speedy retribution. His ignominy did not end with his death. To show the popular execration in which he was held, his body was refused burial in the sepulchre of the kingsa terrible warning as to the fate of all apostates. Another illustration of how dark and dismal a night may settle upon a life that opened with so fair and hopeful a morning.
LESSONS:
1.It is a fatal step to reject the pious counsels and training of ones youth.
2. A king cannot go wrong without involving a nation in suffering.
3. No rank in life can screen the evil-doer from punishment.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2Ki. 12:17-21. The best instruction cannot preserve against a fall if the heart is not firm and strong. Only he who endures unto the end shall be saved. The noblest commencement is vain, if the end is perverse and wicked. Joash was taught what calamities it brings to abandon the Lord God (Jer. 2:19). The Lord rewards everyone according to his works, whether in this or the next world. What a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Joash was marvellously preserved as an infant; he ends his life wretchedly. This is an example how near the ruin of a man is when he abandons the good to which he was educated from his youth up, nay, even is glad to be rid of those who annoy him by their warnings.Lange.
2Ki. 12:18. A cowardly spirit. I. A result of conscious infidelity. II. Weakly succumbs even to an inferior force. III. Has no scruples as to how money is raised wherewith to bribe an enemy. IV. Is despised by its oppressor. V. Encourages a renewal of hostilities.
2Ki. 12:20-21. All the people shouted to the child king, Long live the king! and rejoiced and blew trumpets. Conspiracy and murder were the end of his forty years reign!
2Ki. 12:20. Assassination. I. A symptom of national discontent. II. A dastardly and brutal method of revenge. III. Brings no advantage to the parties concerned in it.
2Ki. 12:21. He that was guilty of abominable idolatry, yet, as if God meant to waive that challenge, is called to reckoning for his cruel unthankfulness to Jehoiada. This crime shall make him odious alive, and shall abandon him dead from the sepulchre of his fathers, as if this last royalty were too good for him who had forgotten the law of humanity. Some vices are such as nature smiles upon, though frowned at by Divine justice; others are such as even nature itself abhors. Such is this of ingratitude, which therefore carries so much more detestation from God, as it is more odious even to them who have blotted out the image of God.Bp. Hall.
So ended the last remains of the great struggle of the house of Omri for power. So was preserved the house of David through the fiercest struggles, inward and outward, that it witnessed till its final overthrow. So was confirmed the establishment of the priesthood in the heart of the monarchy.Stanley.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(17) Then.At that time, viz., after the events just related. Hazaes invasion of the south followed upon his successes against Jehoahaz, who became king of the northern kingdom in the very year when Jehoash took in hand the restoration of the Temple. (Comp. 2Ki. 12:6 with 2Ki. 13:1; 2Ki. 13:3.) It appears from 2Ch. 24:23 that the high priest Jehoiada was dead, and Jehoash had already swerved from his counsels.
Fought against Gath.Which, therefore, at the time either belonged to, or was in league with, Judah. Rehoboam had included this town in his system of national defences (2Ch. 11:8); and it was perhaps at this time the only important outpost of the capital on the western side. Ewald assumes that the petty Philistine states had invited the intervention of Hazael between themselves and their suzerain, the king of Judah. Gaza, Ashdod, Ascalon, and Ekron, but not Gath, appear as Philistine kingdoms in the annals of Sennacherib and Esarhaddon, a century later. This agrees with what is stated in 2Ch. 26:6 as to Uzziah having destroyed the walls of Gath. (Comp. Amo. 6:2.)
Set his face.Comp. Luk. 9:51.
To go up to.Or, against.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(17-21) Conclusion of the epitome of the reign, broken off at 2Ki. 12:4.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. Hazael On this man’s elevation to the throne of Syria, see 2Ki 8:7-15. On his victories over Israel and the eastern tribes, see 2Ki 10:32-33.
Fought against Gath Having the northern kingdom in subjection, he could easily march his army through its territory and down the western border of Judah to Gath. On the position of Gath, see 1Sa 5:8, note.
Set his face to go up to Jerusalem Chronicles adds to this, that he did send a company to Jerusalem, and defeated a great host of Israelites, destroyed their princes, and carried off great spoil. The two accounts are brief, and not designed to record all the facts in the case, but they are by no means necessarily contradictory. See 2Ch 24:23.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
War With Hazael
v. 17. Then Hazael, king of Syria, v. 18. And Jehoash, king of Judah, took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahazlah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, v. 19. And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? v. 20. And his servants, v. 21. For Jozachar, the son of Shimmeath, and Jehozabad, the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David. And Amaziah, his son, reigned in his stead.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Let the Reader recollect how the Lord had been gradually preparing the minds of his people for the desolation of Jerusalem, which had been long threatened. Hence Israel’s kings are dispirited. Guilt breeds fear. While Israel loved the Lord, and feared the Lord, no enemy could dare insult the Lord’s people. But now enemies arise from every quarter. How strikingly was that scripture fulfilled; Deu 28:15 , etc.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 12:17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
Ver. 17. Then Hazael king of Syria went up. ] “Then,” when Jehoiada was dead, and Jehoash revolted. 2Ch 24:23
And Hazael set his face.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Oath. One of the five Philistine cities, to reach which Hazael must have passed through Israel. Probably connected, with his attacks on Jehu and Jehoahaz (2Ki 10:32; 2Ki 13:3, 2Ki 13:4).
to = against.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Inglorious Ends
2Ki 12:17-21; 2Ki 13:1-9
As long as we are with the Lord, He is with us. Then our enemies are His enemies, and He shows Himself strong on the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. See 2Ch 15:2. So Joash found it in the earlier part of his reign. We need to ponder the blessings set out in Psa 81:14-16, as guaranteed to the life which is at one with God. But directly Joash listened to the princes and forsook the house of God and gave license to the Asherim and idols, God was turned against the people and became their enemy. See 2Ch 24:23-25. The reign that commenced in sunshine was sadly overcast, and the king perished by the hands of conspirators and never came to the sepulcher of the kings.
Then disaster after disaster befell the nation. They had to learn that they had been chosen for a special service in the world and could not be as others. Yet amid these dark days, what gleams of light there were! The Lord hearkened, 2Ki 13:4; He gave Israel a savior, 2Ki 13:5; He was gracious and had compassion and would not cast them from His presence, 2Ki 13:23. Even when the Lord chastens us sore, He does not give us over unto death, Psa 118:18. There is a needs-be, but there is also a thus-far-and-no-farther.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
am 3164, bc 840
Hazael: 2Ki 8:12-15
against Gath: 1Sa 27:2, 1Ki 2:39, 1Ki 2:40, 1Ch 8:13, 1Ch 18:1
set his face: Jer 42:15, Luk 9:51, Luk 9:53
to Jerusalem: 2Ch 24:23, 2Ch 24:24
Reciprocal: Gen 31:21 – set his 2Ki 13:3 – Hazael 2Ki 16:8 – the silver 2Ch 32:2 – he was purposed to fight Dan 11:17 – set
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 12:17-18. Then Hazael went up That is, in this kings days, when, Jehoiada being dead, Jehoash revolted from God; of which see 2Ch 24:17. And fought against Gath Once a city of the Philistines, but taken by David, (1Ch 18:1,) and now a part of the kingdom of Judah. And Hazael set his face to go to Jerusalem Directed his march toward that city: or, undertook to march thither in good earnest. Jehoash took all the hallowed things, &c. The preservation of his kingdom, he thought, warranted his doing this; but he brought these dangers upon himself by his apostacy from God.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jehoash’s unfaithfulness and assassination 12:17-21
King Hazael of Aram had defeated Israel during the reigns of Jehu and Jehoahaz (2Ki 13:3; 2Ki 13:22). He then pressed south along the Mediterranean coast toward Judah. He captured Gath and then sent soldiers against Jerusalem who killed many Judean leaders. Rather than turning to Yahweh for deliverance, Jehoash bought Hazael off with gold from the renovated temple. Later, Hazael returned to Judah and Jerusalem with a small company of men, destroyed all the nobility of Judah, and sent their spoil to the king of Damascus (2Ch 24:23).
The Arameans had wounded Jehoash, who went to recuperate in a town named Beth Millo (2Ch 24:25). There, several of his officials assassinated him (2Ki 12:20), primarily because he had slain the high priest Zechariah (2Ch 24:20-22). The king was buried in Jerusalem but not in the royal tombs (2Ch 24:25) because the people did not have great respect for him.
"Once a promising, God-fearing young ruler, Joash died a disappointment. By bribing Hazael with Temple treasures, he tarnished his one great achievement, the Temple restoration." [Note: Hubbard, p. 185.]
Jehoash’s reign started off well but ended poorly because he turned from Yahweh. Instead of continuing to follow the high priest’s counsel, he silenced him by killing him. Consequently, God’s blessing on his earlier years in office turned into chastening later in his life.