12:4 the holy things. Jehoash proposes to use the revenue of the temple to refurbish the temple (cf. Neh. 10:32). The temple had suffered neglect during the years of Athaliah (v. 5; 2 Chr. 24:7).

assessment. Israelite young men at the age of twenty were obliged to enlist for a year of military service and donate half a shekel to the sanctuary (Ex. 30:11–16).