2Ki 12:18 | MHM | STEP | v. 18 : Giving away the temple treasures was a desperate act. If Joash had remained faithful to God, he would not have lost His protection, and he could have forced Hazael to retreat. Instead, Joash lost his honor as a king and soldier, weakened his kingdom, and encouraged Hazael to attack again because there was rich loot to take. Indeed, the next year, the Syrian army returned, destroyed Joash, and plundered Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:18; 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 ).

‏ 2 Kings 12:18

v. 18: Giving away the temple treasures was a desperate act. If Joash had remained faithful to God, he would not have lost His protection, and he could have forced Hazael to retreat. Instead, Joash lost his honor as a king and soldier, weakened his kingdom, and encouraged Hazael to attack again because there was rich loot to take. Indeed, the next year, the Syrian army returned, destroyed Joash, and plundered Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:18; 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 ^a).