This was the first such project the writer recorded in Kings. Later Hezekiah and Josiah also repaired the temple. Until now temple expenses came out of the royal treasury, but Josiah moved this obligation into the private sector.76Jehoash's original plan was to use part of the money that the people contributed for the maintenance of the priesthood to pay for the restoration (cf. Exod. 30:11-16; Lev. 27; Num. 30). Apparently the priests did not cooperate with this plan, perhaps out of selfishness. Consequently the king adopted a completely freewill offering approach and appointed other men to supervise its administration. This plan proved effective. Many other ancient Near Eastern governments used this approach to maintaining their temples at this time.77The administrators of the program proved trustworthy. Integrity returned to Judah partially when the people rededicated themselves to Yahweh (11:17).
