However, the humiliation that Jehoash displays goes too far, for he lowers himself to robbing the temple of the Lord. Amaziah had lost his messianic heart, and Jehoash shows no respect whatsoever for the temple of the Lord. Jehoash even takes hostages; the text does not say what his intentions are with them, but it could be a security deposit
that ensures that Judah will stick to specific agreements.
This episode shows a clear decay of both brother nations. Their kings do not stand out much from the rulers all around them. You may see this spiritual poverty as a plea that God may send a truly good and sincere King, Christ Jesus, to reign over his people. We, as New Testament people, may rejoice to live under his reign.
14 And he seized all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house, also hostages, and he returned to Samaria.