2 Chronicles 24:20

“And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, etc.] The spirit of prophecy, as the Targum; he was moved and influenced by it to speak what is after related: which stood above the people; in a desk, or sort of pulpit, in which the priests stood when they taught the people, that they might be the better heard, like that which Ezra used, (<160804>Nehemiah 8:4) and said unto them, thus saith God; being moved and directed by his Spirit, he spake in his name: why transgress ye the command of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? by committing idolatry, than which nothing could more hinder prosperity, both in things spiritual and temporal, in soul and body: because ye…”

“the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada--probably a younger son, for his name does not occur in the list of Aaron's successors (1Ch. 6:4-47). stood above the people--Being of the priestly order, he spoke from the inner court, which was considerably higher than that of the people. and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper, &c.--His near relationship to the king might have created a feeling of delicacy and reluctance to interfere; but at length he, too, was prompted by an irresistible impulse to protest against the prevailing impiety. The bold freedom and energy of [Zechariah's] remonstrance, as well as his…”

“Stood above the people - Zechariah, the high priest, took up an elevated position, perhaps on the steps of the inner court, which was elevated above the outer court, where the people would be. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Who stood - The people were assembled in the court of the temple, which they had not quite forsook, when Zechariah stood up in some of the desks that were in the court of the priests, and plainly told them their sin, and the consequences of it. 2 Chronicles 24:21”

“24:20-22 Jehoiada had scrupulously preserved the courtyard of the Lord’s Temple from bloodshed and the dynasty of David from extinction. Yet ironically, Zechariah his son was murdered in the very place and by the very king, Joash, who was protected during the coup. Jesus made reference to this murder when he was criticizing the religious leaders (Matt 23:35; Luke 11:51). • “May the Lord . . . avenge my death!” This prayer for vengeance was similar to those that King David himself had prayed against the injustices done to him by Saul (cp. Pss 5:10; 7:9; 9:19-20; 28:4; 56:7; 139:19; see also “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note).”

“And the Spirit: Ch2 15:1, Ch2 20:14 came upon: Heb. clothed, Jdg 6:34; Ch1 12:18 the son: Ch2 23:11 transgress: Num 14:41; Sa1 13:13, Sa1 13:14; Sa2 12:9, Sa2 12:10; Zac 7:11-14 because: Ch2 15:2; Deu 29:25, Deu 29:26; Ch1 28:9; Jer 2:19, Jer 4:18, Jer 5:19, Jer 5:25 2 Chronicles 24:21”