מלכים ב, פרק י״ב, פסוק ח׳

Years of neglect left the Temple in desperate need of repair, but the restoration efforts eventually stalled. Frustrated by the lack of progress, King Jehoash initiates a direct confrontation with the priests, fundamentally changing how the project's funds are managed.

The King opens with a firm demand, questioning why the structural damages remain untouched. The delay actually stemmed from a practical choice, as the priests were waiting until they had gathered a large enough sum to begin the work properly. However, the King grew suspicious, fearing that the priests were simply keeping the collected funds for themselves [רד״ק]. Exercising his royal authority, the King does not even wait for the priests to offer their perfectly reasonable explanation. Immediately following his sharp question, he issues a strict new decree [חומת אנך].

He orders the priests to completely stop collecting money directly from their personal acquaintances as they had been doing [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This directive ensures that no more funds are taken into their own hands or for their personal use [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. At the same time, this new rule removes a heavy burden from the priests, officially exempting them from having to finance the structural repairs out of their own private wealth [רש״י].

Instead, a new system is put in place. Any money donated for the restoration must be transferred immediately upon receipt directly to the treasury of the House of God, deposited into a specific location designated solely for repair expenses [רלב״ג, מצודת דוד]. Every coin collected is now strictly dedicated to this single purpose, regardless of whether the final amount falls short of the needed budget or creates a surplus [רש״י]. The confrontation is abrupt and certainly hurts the dignity of the priests, especially since they have a valid defense ready. Yet, they humbly accept the King's ruling and agree to step away from the collection process [חומת אנך].