II Chronicles 23: Restoration and Renewal
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.
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.
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.
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;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the Lord’s people.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
II Chronicles 23 recounts a pivotal moment in Judah's history: the overthrow of the wicked Queen Athaliah and the restoration of the Davidic line through the coronation of young Joash. This chapter is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant and His commitment to righteousness.
Jehoiada's Strategic Action (II Chronicles 23:1-11)
After seven long years under the oppressive rule of Athaliah, the high priest Jehoiada initiated a carefully orchestrated plan. Recognizing the danger Athaliah posed to the throne and the spiritual well-being of Judah, Jehoiada demonstrated both courage and wisdom. He gathered key leaders – priests, Levites, and military commanders – and strategically positioned them around the temple (II Chronicles 23:1-7). This ensured the protection of young Joash, the rightful heir, and prevented any interference from Athaliah's supporters. The meticulous planning and execution of this operation highlight the importance of preparation and collaboration when standing for truth. The culmination of this plan was the triumphant coronation of Joash, as the people joyfully proclaimed, "Long live the king!" (II Chronicles 23:11). This scene signifies the restoration of God's chosen dynasty and the hope for a brighter future for Judah.
Athaliah's Downfall (II Chronicles 23:12-15)
When Athaliah heard the uproar and realized she was being overthrown, she cried, "Treason! Treason!" (II Chronicles 23:12-13). However, her accusations rang hollow, especially considering the bloodstained path she had taken to seize power. Her reign was built on murder and deceit, and now she was facing the consequences of her actions. Jehoiada swiftly ordered her execution (II Chronicles 23:14-15), bringing an end to her reign of terror. This event serves as a stark reminder of the principle of sowing and reaping. As Galatians 6:7 reminds us, "God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Athaliah's life tragically fulfilled this principle. She sowed violence and wickedness, and ultimately, she reaped a violent end. The Lord, in His ironic providence, ensured that justice prevailed.
Reformation and Rejoicing (II Chronicles 23:16-21)
With Athaliah removed, Jehoiada wasted no time in restoring true worship to Judah (II Chronicles 23:16-19). The previous idolatrous rulers had even erected a temple to Baal. This abominable structure was immediately torn down (II Chronicles 23:17), symbolizing a decisive break from pagan practices and a return to the worship of the one true God. Jehoiada then led the people in renewing their covenant with God, committing themselves to obedience and faithfulness. Finally, Jehoiada and the officials formally crowned young King Joash, and "all the people rejoiced" (II Chronicles 23:21). This widespread joy reflects the deep longing of the people for righteous leadership and a return to God's ways. This passage provides a powerful illustration of how spiritual renewal can lead to societal transformation and lasting joy. The emphasis is on the people's active participation in the covenant renewal, demonstrating that lasting change requires a collective commitment to God's will.
II Chronicles 23 is more than just a historical account; it is a powerful story of God's faithfulness, justice, and the transformative power of righteous leadership. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, God is at work, preserving His promises and offering hope for renewal. It also highlights the importance of standing firm for truth, actively resisting evil, and embracing the joy that comes from following God's will.
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.
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.
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.
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;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the Lord’s people.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
II Chronicles 23 recounts a pivotal moment in Judah's history: the overthrow of the wicked Queen Athaliah and the restoration of the Davidic line through the coronation of young Joash. This chapter is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant and His commitment to righteousness.
Jehoiada's Strategic Action (II Chronicles 23:1-11)
After seven long years under the oppressive rule of Athaliah, the high priest Jehoiada initiated a carefully orchestrated plan. Recognizing the danger Athaliah posed to the throne and the spiritual well-being of Judah, Jehoiada demonstrated both courage and wisdom. He gathered key leaders – priests, Levites, and military commanders – and strategically positioned them around the temple (II Chronicles 23:1-7). This ensured the protection of young Joash, the rightful heir, and prevented any interference from Athaliah's supporters. The meticulous planning and execution of this operation highlight the importance of preparation and collaboration when standing for truth. The culmination of this plan was the triumphant coronation of Joash, as the people joyfully proclaimed, "Long live the king!" (II Chronicles 23:11). This scene signifies the restoration of God's chosen dynasty and the hope for a brighter future for Judah.
Athaliah's Downfall (II Chronicles 23:12-15)
When Athaliah heard the uproar and realized she was being overthrown, she cried, "Treason! Treason!" (II Chronicles 23:12-13). However, her accusations rang hollow, especially considering the bloodstained path she had taken to seize power. Her reign was built on murder and deceit, and now she was facing the consequences of her actions. Jehoiada swiftly ordered her execution (II Chronicles 23:14-15), bringing an end to her reign of terror. This event serves as a stark reminder of the principle of sowing and reaping. As Galatians 6:7 reminds us, "God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." Athaliah's life tragically fulfilled this principle. She sowed violence and wickedness, and ultimately, she reaped a violent end. The Lord, in His ironic providence, ensured that justice prevailed.
Reformation and Rejoicing (II Chronicles 23:16-21)
With Athaliah removed, Jehoiada wasted no time in restoring true worship to Judah (II Chronicles 23:16-19). The previous idolatrous rulers had even erected a temple to Baal. This abominable structure was immediately torn down (II Chronicles 23:17), symbolizing a decisive break from pagan practices and a return to the worship of the one true God. Jehoiada then led the people in renewing their covenant with God, committing themselves to obedience and faithfulness. Finally, Jehoiada and the officials formally crowned young King Joash, and "all the people rejoiced" (II Chronicles 23:21). This widespread joy reflects the deep longing of the people for righteous leadership and a return to God's ways. This passage provides a powerful illustration of how spiritual renewal can lead to societal transformation and lasting joy. The emphasis is on the people's active participation in the covenant renewal, demonstrating that lasting change requires a collective commitment to God's will.
II Chronicles 23 is more than just a historical account; it is a powerful story of God's faithfulness, justice, and the transformative power of righteous leadership. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, God is at work, preserving His promises and offering hope for renewal. It also highlights the importance of standing firm for truth, actively resisting evil, and embracing the joy that comes from following God's will.