2 Chronicles - Chapter 23

2 Chronicles 23.1 And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him. 2 Chronicles 23.2 And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 23.3 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David. 2 Chronicles 23.4 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; 2 Chronicles 23.5 And a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 23.6 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 23.7 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out. 2 Chronicles 23.8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses. 2 Chronicles 23.9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God. 2 Chronicles 23.10 And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about. 2 Chronicles 23.11 Then they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king. 2 Chronicles 23.12 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD: 2 Chronicles 23.13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. 2 Chronicles 23.14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 23.15 So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king’s house, they slew her there. 2 Chronicles 23.16 And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’s people. 2 Chronicles 23.17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 2 Chronicles 23.18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David. 2 Chronicles 23.19 And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in. 2 Chronicles 23.20 And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king’s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. 2 Chronicles 23.21 And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.

2 Chronicles : Chapter 23

The Coronation of Joash and the Restoration of the Davidic Lineage

Chapter 23 of the book of 2 Chronicles poignantly recounts the coronation of the young King Joash. In this account, the high priest Jehoiada plays a fundamental role in restoring the Davidic lineage, thus ensuring the continuity of God's promise to David. This captivating text evokes the conspiracy against Queen Athaliah, the anointing of Joash as the rightful heir, and the reform of temple worship.

Illuminating Themes

This chapter highlights essential themes such as faithfulness to the divine covenant, the restoration of true worship, and the crucial role of spiritual leaders in the political sphere. Indeed, 2 Chronicles 23 underlines God's faithfulness to His promises and the importance of the commitment of spiritual leaders to guide people on the path of truth.

Enlightening Bible Passages

To deepen our understanding of these principles, consider five biblical passages that resonate with the teachings of this crucial chapter:

1. 2 Kings 11:4-8

"In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest summoned the captains of hundreds, the Carites, and the guard, and gathered them together in the temple of the Lord. He made a treaty with them and swore them in the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king's son and commanded..." This parallel passage in 2 Kings provides additional details about Jehoiada's plan to restore Joash to the throne, as described in 2 Chronicles 23.

2. Psalm 127:1

"If the Lord does not build the house, it will be useless to build it. If the Lord does not watch over the city, it will be useless for the watchman to keep watch." This psalm reflects the theme of 2 Chronicles 23, where the success of Jehoiada's plan depends on divine protection and providence.

3. Deuteronomy 17:18-20

"When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he must write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll, which is under the care of the Levitical priests. He must keep it with him and read it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God..." This passage from Deuteronomy is relevant to the coronation of Joash in 2 Chronicles 23:11, where he receives the crown and a copy of the testimony.

4. 2 Kings 11:17-18

"Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, that they should be the Lord's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. All the people went to the temple of Baal and demolished it..." This passage provides additional details on the renewal of the covenant and the destruction of the temple of Baal mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:16-17.

5. Exodus 19:5-6

"Now if you faithfully obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own treasure among all nations..." This text from Exodus provides the context for the covenant renewal mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:16, recalling Israel's original calling to be a holy nation.

Meditating on these passages, we are called to reflect on our own commitment to God and how we, as a community of believers, can restore true worship to our lives and institutions.