Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
burdens
2 Kings 12:18 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.
repairing [heb] founding
2 Chronicles 24:13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
story.
2 Chronicles 9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
2 Chronicles 16:11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
2 Chronicles 20:34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
Amaziah
2 Chronicles 25:1 Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
2 Kings 12:21 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.
1 Chronicles 3:12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
and the many pronouncements about him
This refers to the various decrees, judgments, and events associated with King Joash's reign. Joash's reign was marked by both faithfulness and failure. Initially, he was zealous for the Lord, particularly in the restoration of the temple, but later he turned away from God, leading to his downfall. The "pronouncements" could include both the commendations for his early reforms and the condemnations for his later apostasy. This duality serves as a reminder of the importance of steadfastness in faith and the consequences of turning away from God.
and of the restoration of the house of God
This phrase highlights one of Joash's significant achievements: the repair and restoration of the temple in Jerusalem. The temple, being the center of worship and the symbol of God's presence among His people, had fallen into disrepair. Joash's efforts to restore it reflect his initial commitment to honoring God and maintaining the proper worship practices. This restoration can be seen as a type of Christ, who Himself is the ultimate restorer of the temple, not made with hands, and who purifies and sanctifies His people.
are indeed written in the Treatise of the Book of the Kings
This indicates that the detailed records of Joash's reign, including his sons, pronouncements, and temple restoration, were documented in another historical source, the "Book of the Kings." This book is not part of the canonical Bible but is referenced as a source of historical information. It suggests that the biblical authors had access to other historical records, which they used to compile the narratives found in the Scriptures. This phrase underscores the historical reliability and the careful documentation of events in the biblical text.
And his son Amaziah reigned in his place
This phrase marks the transition of power from Joash to his son Amaziah. Amaziah's reign is a continuation of the Davidic line, which is crucial for the fulfillment of God's promises to David. Amaziah, like his father, had a reign marked by both faithfulness and failure. His ascension to the throne signifies the ongoing narrative of the kings of Judah, each of whom played a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. This transition also serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly kingdoms and the enduring nature of God's kingdom.
2 Chronicles 24:27 opens by noting that “The accounts of the sons of Joash … are indeed written….” Scripture records at least two sons who avenged their father’s assassination (2 Chron 24:25–26). By mentioning “accounts,” the Chronicler reminds us that:
• God sees and records every generation’s deeds (Malachi 3:16).
• Family choices—either loyalty or betrayal—carry weight beyond one lifetime (Exodus 20:5-6).
Cross-reference: 2 Kings 12:20-21 shows how Joash’s servants conspired, underscoring the tragic fallout among his descendants.
Joash left a trail of royal decrees, temple policies, and, tragically, a hard-hearted command to kill Zechariah the priest (2 Chron 24:20-22). These “pronouncements” teach that:
• A promising start can be marred by later disobedience (Galatians 5:7).
• Leadership words resonate long after they are spoken (Proverbs 18:21).
Cross-reference: 2 Kings 12:17-18 records Joash’s decision to empty the treasury to appease Hazael, another pronouncement with lasting consequences.
Earlier in the chapter, Joash organized a nationwide offering to repair the temple (2 Chron 24:4-14). The Chronicler circles back here to affirm that this restoration really happened:
• God’s people are called to tangible stewardship of His house (1 Timothy 3:15).
• Even flawed leaders can be instruments of renewal when they obey (Philippians 1:15-18).
Cross-reference: 2 Kings 12:4-16 parallels the same construction project, corroborating the account.
By pointing to another historical source, Scripture quietly underscores its own reliability. The Chronicler is not inventing events; he is selecting from a larger archive, guided by the Spirit (Luke 1:1-3; 2 Peter 1:21).
• God preserves multiple witnesses to His acts (Deuteronomy 19:15).
• Believers can trust that the biblical record aligns with external history.
Despite Joash’s mixed legacy, the Davidic line continues: “And his son Amaziah reigned in his place.” God’s covenant promises remain unbroken (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
• A new generation receives both opportunity and accountability (2 Chron 25:1-2).
• Divine faithfulness overrules human failure, keeping Messiah’s lineage intact (Matthew 1:8-9).
Cross-reference: 2 Kings 14:1-6 details Amaziah’s accession and early reign, confirming the smooth transition foretold here.
2 Chronicles 24:27 serves as a condensed postscript: everything about Joash—his children, his edicts, and his temple work—is fully chronicled elsewhere, proving the events’ historicity. Even after a king’s turbulent life ends, God faithfully moves His redemptive story forward through Amaziah, showcasing both the seriousness of human choices and the steadfast reliability of the Lord’s covenant plan.
(27) Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God.--Rather, And his sons, and the multitude of oracles upon him, and the founding of the house of God. The word "burden" (massa')is common in the sense of a threatening prophecy (2Kings 9:25; Isaiah 13:1; Habakkuk 1:1). In 2Chronicles 24:19 it is expressly said that prophets were sent to warn the princes of Judah. If this be the meaning here, the word massa' is used collectively. Another possible rendering is, "and the greatness of the tribute laid upon him" by Hazael. (Comp. 2Chronicles 17:11 for this sense of massa') The Heb. margin suggests, and as to his sons, may the burden concerning him multiply;" i.e., may the dying words of Zechariah be fulfilled in them even more disastrously! This is wholly improbable.In the story of the book of the kings.--See margin, and Introduction. . . .
Verse 27. - His sons. We only know of one, Amaziah, his successor. The burdens laid upon him. Some explain this expression of the tribute and bribe Joash had to pay Hazael; others of prophetic "burdens" uttered against him; and others (much favoured by the position of the clause just before the repairing of the house, etc.) of the task which he had so voluntarily undertaken, the money-raising and all (Ezekiel 24:25; comp. our vers. 6, 9, 11). The repairing; Hebrew, וִיסור. Render, with the Revised Version, the rebuilding. The story of the book of the kings. The Revised Version renders the Hebrew text (מִדְּרַשׁ סֵפֶר) "the commentary of the book of the kings," probably to be followed by the words, "of Judah;" the parallel has "the book of the Chronicles [סִפֶד דִּבְרֵי הַיָמִים] of the kings of Judah" (see our Introduction, 1 Chronicles, § 5, pp. 7-10.). The word rendered "story" or "commentary" in our text is employed only once beside (2 Chronicles 13:22). Its verbal root, however, is found about a hundred and sixty-two times, invariably in the sense of inquiring, and almost invariably rendered in the Authorized Version by the word "inquire," or "seek;" so that perhaps the word "study" or "pursuit" might, idioms being allowed for, be the nearer rendering. It is rabbinic literature mostly that has determined the preference for the word "commentary."