Joash became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for forty years. …Throughout his life he did what pleased the Lord, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
A bit glossed over: 2 Chronicles 24:17-22 tells a different story…
The priests agreed to this and also agreed not to make the repairs in the Temple.
Then Jehoiada took a box, made a hole in the lid, and placed the box by the altar, on the right side as one enters the Temple. The priests on duty at the entrance put in the box all the money given by the worshipers. …they would hand the silver over to the men in charge of the work in the Temple… It was all used to pay the workers and to buy the materials used in the repairs.
Important principle here. It was never about an unwillingness to see the work done – it was about not having the right system in place to accommodate it. If your processes are right, the resulting product will be as well.
At that time King Hazael of Syria attacked the city of Gath and conquered it; then he decided to attack Jerusalem.
Without having conquered the northern tribes? This would have been a long way from home in hostile territory…
King Joash of Judah took all the… gold in the treasuries of the Temple and the palace, and sent them all as a gift to King Hazael, who then led his army away from Jerusalem.
I think King Hazael was bluffing! Just the threat of an invasion sent King Joash running.
King Joash’s officials plotted against him… and… killed him…
Joash’s officials no doubt saw his actions as needless capitulation as the Lord would protect his temple (Jeremiah 7:4). Much later, Zedekiah would likewise be afraid of his own officials (Jeremiah 38:24–27).