2 Kings 12:1-21

12:3 | The high places may refer to Baalism (1 Kgs. 3:2-4; 14:23; 2 Chron. 24:17-24) or to local sanctuaries. These sites violated the divine mandate of a single sanctuary (Deut. 12:2-5). Because Israel had only one God, He was to be worshiped in only one sanctuary.

12:4-16 | God blessed and honored the king’s efforts to put God’s house in proper order and repair the temple.

12:17-20 | Joash’s career did not end as grandly as it began. Once a God-fearing young ruler, he died a disappointment. The writer says only that Joash traded treasure from the Lord’s temple to rescue Jerusalem from the attack by Hazael, king of Syria. But 2 Chronicles 24:17-27 says he allowed idol worship and even killed his own son. The Lord allowed the Aramean army to attack Jerusalem as an act of judgment upon His people for forsaking Him (2 Chron. 24:24).