Why did Joash give the temple treasures to Hazael king of Syria?

Hazael had taken Gath and was getting ready to come against Jerusalem. Joash, who had once repaired the temple, had by this time turned from God. Instead of crying out to the Lord and trusting him to protect Judah, Joash gathered everything valuable he could find. He took the holy gifts earlier kings had dedicated, his own dedicated things, and all the gold in the temple and palace, and sent it to Hazael. He hoped to buy peace and make Hazael turn away, which he did for the moment.

What were the "hallowed things" that Joash took from the temple?

The “hallowed things” were items set apart for God. Earlier kings of Judah, like Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, had given precious objects and gifts to the temple as offerings. Joash had also dedicated his own items. These were supposed to be kept for God’s honor and for worship. In fear, Joash treated them like ordinary treasure, taking them out of the temple store rooms and sending them to Hazael as a payment. By doing this, he lowered the honor of what had been given to God and emptied the temple’s wealth.

Who was Hazael in this passage and why was he attacking?

Hazael was the king of Syria. In this passage he had already fought against Gath and captured it, opening the way toward Jerusalem. His move toward Judah came after Joash had turned away from God and begun to follow idols and harm God’s servants. God allowed Hazael to be like a rod of discipline against Judah. Hazael’s plan was to press forward and threaten Jerusalem itself. Joash, feeling weak and afraid, tried to stop him not with faith or battle, but with a large payment of gold and temple treasures.

Why did Joash’s servants make a conspiracy and kill him?

Joash’s servants did not kill him to seize the throne, because his son Amaziah became king after him. They acted in revenge for his sins. After Joash turned from God, he even had a faithful prophet, the son of the priest who had raised him, put to death. God did not ignore this. Later, after another Syrian attack left Joash badly weakened, some of his own servants joined together, waited for their chance at the house of Millo, and struck him down. Their act was wrong, but it still served as judgment for his violence and idolatry.

What is the house of Millo that is mentioned in Joash’s death?

The house of Millo in this passage is a place in or near Jerusalem where Joash was staying when the attack happened. It is described as going down to Silla, likely pointing to a slope or passage that led from that area. There was also another Millo connected with the city of David, so this wording helps show which spot is meant. In that house, away from open battle, Joash was struck by his own servants. The setting underlines how his danger came not from outside enemies at that moment, but from those close to him.

What does the death of Joash teach about turning away from God?

Joash began well, protected and guided when he was young, and helped repair the temple. But when the godly priest who raised him died, Joash turned from God, followed idols, and even killed a prophet who warned him. After that, his strength faded. Foreign enemies took his wealth, and at the end his own servants killed him. His life shows that walking away from God does not lead to safety. Those who turn from the light they once had may face heavy discipline, and even great leaders are not shielded when they harden their hearts.

Why is it important that Joash used dedicated things from the temple as payment?

The dedicated things had been set aside for God. They were a sign of the kings’ thanks and honor toward the Lord. When Joash took those items to pay off Hazael, it showed how far he had fallen. Instead of seeing God as his defender, he treated God’s gifts as a pile of gold to spend. This choice made him look small as a king and weak in faith. It also left the temple poorer and encouraged enemies to come again, since they could gain so much without a fight. It is a warning not to treat holy things as common when we are afraid.

How does this passage describe God’s response to Joash’s idolatry and violence?

The passage itself is brief, but when read with what happened before, a pattern appears. After Joash turned to idols and killed a faithful prophet, God allowed trouble to rise up against him. A strong enemy king threatened Jerusalem, and Joash had to strip the temple to buy him off. Later, another attack left him wounded and weak. Finally, those closest to him turned against him and killed him. Human actions are clearly involved, yet through these events God showed his anger at Joash’s unfaithfulness. It reminds us that God takes sin, especially against his servants, very seriously.

2Kgs.12.17

2 Kings 12:17

KJV

¶ Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

The Death of Joash

¶ Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

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.

¶ 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?

And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla.

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.

Cross References

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