2 Chronicles 24:11-20

2 Chronicles 24:11-20 NCV

When the Levites would take the box to the king’s officers, they would see that it was full of money. Then the king’s royal secretary and the leading priest’s officer would come and take out the money and return the box to its place. They did this often and gathered much money. King Joash and Jehoiada gave the money to the people who worked on the Temple of the LORD. And they hired stoneworkers and carpenters to repair the Temple of the LORD. They also hired people to work with iron and bronze to repair the Temple. The people worked hard, and the work to repair the Temple went well. They rebuilt the Temple of God to be as it was before, but even stronger. When the workers finished, they brought the money that was left to King Joash and Jehoiada. They used that money to make utensils for the Temple of the LORD, utensils for the service in the Temple and for the burnt offerings, and bowls and other utensils from gold and silver. Burnt offerings were given every day in the Temple of the LORD while Jehoiada was alive. Jehoiada grew old and lived many years. Then he died when he was one hundred thirty years old. Jehoiada was buried in Jerusalem with the kings, because he had done much good in Judah for God and his Temple. After Jehoiada died, the officers of Judah came and bowed down to King Joash, and he listened to them. The king and these leaders stopped worshiping in the Temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors. Instead, they began to worship the Asherah idols and other idols. Because they did wrong, God was angry with the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Even though the LORD sent prophets to the people to turn them back to him and even though the prophets warned them, they refused to listen. Then the Spirit of God entered Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. Zechariah stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands? You will not be successful. Because you have left the LORD, he has also left you.’ ”

Read 2 Chronicles 24