Reading for September 25th

Read 12.1-21 In 12.1-21: The reign of Jehoash In verse 1: Forty years is probably a round number for a generation. In verse 3: The high places were shrines other than the Temple of Jerusalem. In verses 4-16: Jehoash repairs the Temple. Jehoash has to admonish the priests (v. 7), who are slow to carry out the repairs. Money is lterally "silver." Parts of this account, however, seem to assume that the contributions were in the form of coins, which would be an anachronism since coins began to be used widely in Palestine no earlier than the late sixth century BCE. In verse 18: Votive gifts were special items of value that the kings of Judah had dedicated tot he Temple. By paying these to Hazael as tribute, Jehoash capitulated to him and in effect bribed him to prevent him from attacking Jerusalem. In verse 19: The Annals of the Kings of Judah may have been offical records of the monarchy of judah. They no longer exist. In verse 20: Millo means "fiil"; it probably refers to the earthwork done by David to fill in the saddle between the Temple area and the palace area south of it (2 Sam 5.9). In verse 21: The motive behind Jehoash's assination is not explained in 2 Kings. See 2 Chr 24.20-27. Comments or Questions..