2 Chroniques - Caput 23

2 Chroniques 23.1 anno autem septimo confortatus Ioiadae adsumpsit centuriones Azariam videlicet filium Hieroam et Ismahel filium Iohanan Azariam quoque filium Oded et Maasiam filium Adaiae et Elisaphat filium Zechri et iniit cum eis foedus 2 Chroniques 23.2 qui circumeuntes Iudam congregaverunt Levitas de cunctis urbibus Iuda et principes familiarum Israhel veneruntque in Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 23.3 iniit igitur omnis multitudo pactum in domo Domini cum rege dixitque ad eos Ioiadae ecce filius regis regnabit sicut locutus est Dominus super filios David 2 Chroniques 23.4 iste est ergo sermo quem facietis 2 Chroniques 23.5 tertia pars vestrum qui veniunt ad sabbatum sacerdotum et Levitarum et ianitorum erit in portis tertia vero pars ad domum regis et tertia in porta quae appellatur Fundamenti omne vero reliquum vulgus sit in atriis domus Domini 2 Chroniques 23.6 nec quisquam alius ingrediatur domum Domini nisi sacerdotes et qui ministrant de Levitis ipsi tantummodo ingrediantur quia sanctificati sunt et omne reliquum vulgus observet custodias Domini 2 Chroniques 23.7 Levitae autem circumdent regem habentes singuli arma sua et si quis alius ingressus fuerit templum interficiatur sintque cum rege et intrante et egrediente 2 Chroniques 23.8 fecerunt igitur Levitae et universus Iuda iuxta omnia quae praeceperat Ioiadae pontifex et adsumpserunt singuli viros qui sub se erant et veniebant per ordinem sabbati cum his qui iam impleverant sabbatum et egressuri erant siquidem Ioiadae pontifex non dimiserat abire turmas quae sibi per singulas ebdomadas succedere consueverant 2 Chroniques 23.9 deditque Ioiadae sacerdos centurionibus lanceas clypeosque et peltas regis David quas consecraverat in domo Domini 2 Chroniques 23.10 constituitque omnem populum tenentium pugiones a parte templi dextra usque ad partem templi sinistram coram altari et templo per circuitum regis 2 Chroniques 23.11 et eduxerunt filium regis et inposuerunt ei diadema dederuntque in manu eius tenendam legem et constituerunt eum regem unxit quoque illum Ioiadae pontifex et filii eius inprecatique sunt atque dixerunt vivat rex 2 Chroniques 23.12 quod cum audisset Otholia vocem scilicet currentium atque laudantium regem ingressa est ad populum in templum Domini 2 Chroniques 23.13 cumque vidisset regem stantem super gradum in introitu et principes turmasque circa eum omnem quoque populum terrae gaudentem atque clangentem tubis et diversi generis organis concinentem vocemque laudantium scidit vestimenta sua et ait insidiae insidiae 2 Chroniques 23.14 egressus autem Ioiadae pontifex ad centuriones et principes exercitus dixit eis educite illam extra septa templi et interficiatur foris gladio praecepitque sacerdos ne occideretur in domo Domini 2 Chroniques 23.15 et inposuerunt cervicibus eius manus cumque intrasset portam Equorum domus regis interfecerunt eam ibi 2 Chroniques 23.16 pepigit autem Ioiadae foedus inter se universumque populum et regem ut esset populus Domini 2 Chroniques 23.17 itaque ingressus est omnis populus domum Baal et destruxerunt eam et altaria ac simulacra illius confregerunt Matthan quoque sacerdotem Baal interfecerunt ante aras 2 Chroniques 23.18 constituit autem Ioiadae praepositos in domo Domini et sub manibus sacerdotum ac Levitarum quos distribuit David in domo Domini ut offerrent holocausta Domino sicut scriptum est in lege Mosi in gaudio et canticis iuxta dispositionem David 2 Chroniques 23.19 constituit quoque ianitores in portis domus Domini ut non ingrederetur eam inmundus in omni re 2 Chroniques 23.20 adsumpsitque centuriones et fortissimos viros ac principes populi et omne vulgus terrae et fecerunt descendere regem de domo Domini et introire per medium portae superioris in domum regis et conlocaverunt eum in solio regali 2 Chroniques 23.21 laetatusque est omnis populus terrae et urbs quievit porro Otholia interfecta est gladio

2 Chroniques : Caput 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.