2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
2 And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
2 And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
2 Taught and trained by Jehoiada the priest, Joash did what pleased God for as long as he lived.
2 Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
2 All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord 's sight because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 12:2
Commentary on 2 Kings 12:1-16
(Read 2 Kings 12:1-16)
It is a great mercy to young people, especially to all young men of rank, like Jehoash, to have those about them who will instruct them to do what is right in the sight of the Lord; and they do wisely and well for themselves, when willing to be counselled and ruled. The temple was out of repair; Jehoash orders the repair of the temple. The king was zealous. God requires those who have power, to use it for the support of religion, the redress of grievances, and repairing of decays. The king employed the priests to manage, as most likely to be hearty in the work. But nothing was done effectually till the twenty-third year of his reign. Another method was therefore taken. When public distributions are made faithfully, public contributions will be made cheerfully. While they were getting all they could for the repair of the temple, they did not break in upon the stated maintenance of the priests. Let not the servants of the temple be starved, under colour of repairing the breaches of it. Those that were intrusted did the business carefully and faithfully. They did not lay it out in ornaments for the temple, till the other work was completed; hence we may learn, in all our expenses, to prefer that which is most needful, and, in dealing for the public, to deal as we would for ourselves.