Why was the temple repair delayed according to 2 Kings 12:6?

Setting the Scene

• Jehoash (also called Joash) comes to the throne of Judah with a heart to restore the deteriorating temple (2 Kings 12:4–5).

• He orders the priests to collect all dedicated money and “repair whatever damage is found in the house.”

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What 2 Kings 12:6 Says

“By the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash, the priests had not yet repaired the damage to the house of the LORD.”

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Why the Delay?

• The priests received the contributions but did not channel them into construction work.

• Funds apparently went toward their regular priestly support instead of building costs (compare 2 Kings 12:7; 2 Chronicles 24:5).

• No accountability structure was in place; without oversight, the project stalled until the king intervened.

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Supporting Passages

• 2 Kings 12:7–8—Joash calls the priests to account: “Why have you not repaired the damage?” He redirects future funds away from priestly hands and into a supervised building fund.

• 2 Chronicles 24:6–7—The sons of Athaliah “had broken into the house of God and even used the dedicated things…for the Baals,” further depleting resources.

• Proverbs 13:4—“The soul of the diligent is richly supplied,” highlighting the need for faithful stewardship.

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Timeless Takeaways

• Enthusiasm for God’s work must be matched by practical follow-through.

• Stewardship demands transparency and accountability.

• God sometimes raises leaders, like Joash, to correct neglect and realign His people’s priorities.