2 Chronicles 23

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 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.

2And 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.

3And 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.

4This [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;

5And 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.

6But 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.

7And 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.

8So 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.

9Moreover 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.

10And 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.

11Then 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.

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:

13And 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.

14Then 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.

15So 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.

16And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.

17Then 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.

18Also 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.

19And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none [which was] unclean in any thing should enter in.

20And 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.

21And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest initiated a plan to restore the rightful Davidic king, Joash, to the throne. He gathered the captains, Levites, and chief fathers, securing their allegiance through a covenant in the house of God. They then crowned and anointed the young Joash as king, leading to the swift overthrow and execution of the usurper queen Athaliah outside the temple grounds. Following this, the people destroyed the house of Baal and re-established the proper worship of the LORD.

Medium Summary

Jehoiada the priest, in the seventh year, strengthened himself by making a covenant with key military captains, and subsequently gathered Levites and heads of families from throughout Judah to Jerusalem. There, a covenant was made between the congregation and the king's son, Joash, in the house of God, affirming the LORD's promise concerning the sons of David. Jehoiada meticulously organized the priests and Levites to secure the temple and protect the young king, even arming them with King David's spears and shields. Joash was then brought forth, crowned, given the testimony, and anointed as king, amidst the rejoicing of the people. Upon hearing the commotion, Queen Athaliah entered the temple, crying "Treason," but was apprehended by Jehoiada's command and executed outside the sacred precincts. The people then proceeded to destroy the house of Baal and slay its priest, Mattan, signifying a return to the worship of the LORD.

Long Summary

In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada the priest took decisive action, strengthening his position by forming a covenant with five key captains of hundreds. These leaders then traveled throughout Judah, gathering the Levites from all cities and the chief fathers of Israel, bringing them to Jerusalem. In the house of God, the entire congregation entered into a covenant with the young king's son, Joash, acknowledging his divine right to reign as promised by the LORD to the sons of David. Jehoiada meticulously outlined a security plan for the Sabbath, assigning specific roles to priests and Levites for temple duties, guarding the king's house, and surrounding the king with armed men. He emphasized that only priests and ministering Levites were permitted inside the temple, while all others were to maintain a watch outside. The Levites and all Judah diligently followed Jehoiada's commands, with the priest even providing them with King David's spears, bucklers, and shields from the house of God. With the temple secured and the people armed, Joash was brought forth, crowned, given the testimony, and anointed king by Jehoiada and his sons, to the acclamation of "God save the king." Hearing the noise, Queen Athaliah came to the temple, witnessed the enthronement, and cried "Treason." Jehoiada swiftly commanded the captains to remove her from the temple and execute her outside, ensuring no blood defiled the holy place. She was slain at the horse gate by the king's house. Following this, Jehoiada established a covenant between himself, the people, and the king, that they should be the LORD's people. The people then immediately went to the house of Baal, breaking down its altars and images, and slaying Mattan, its priest. Jehoiada subsequently re-appointed the offices of the house of the LORD, restoring the burnt offerings according to the law of Moses and the ordinances of David, and set porters at the gates to prevent the unclean from entering. Finally, Joash was brought from the house of the LORD to the king's house and set upon the throne, bringing peace and rejoicing to the city after Athaliah's demise.

Core Concepts

  • Jehoiada's Strategic LeadershipJehoiada the priest demonstrates astute leadership by meticulously planning and executing the overthrow of Athaliah, gathering key personnel, and securing alliances to restore the legitimate monarchy.
  • Restoration of Davidic MonarchyThe chapter details the successful enthronement of Joash, the rightful heir from the line of David, fulfilling God's covenant promise for a perpetual Davidic dynasty on the throne of Judah.
  • Temple Security and AuthorityThe house of God serves as the central location for the coup, with Jehoiada utilizing the priests and Levites to establish a secure perimeter and protect the young king, highlighting the temple's role as a place of refuge and authority.
  • Covenant and AllegianceMultiple covenants are established: first between Jehoiada and the captains, then between the congregation and King Joash, and finally between Jehoiada, the people, and the king, solidifying their commitment to the LORD and the new reign.
  • Overthrow of AthaliahThe usurper Queen Athaliah is swiftly apprehended and executed outside the temple, marking the end of her six-year reign and the restoration of legitimate rule in Judah.
  • Eradication of IdolatryImmediately following Joash's enthronement, the people destroy the house of Baal, its altars, and images, and slay its priest, signifying a decisive rejection of idolatry and a return to the worship of the LORD.