2 Chronicles 23 Study Notes: Jehoiada Crowns Joash
Jehoiada the priest gathers the Levites and leaders and crowns young Joash, David’s heir, in the temple. Athaliah protests and is executed outside the temple, the people pledge themselves to the LORD and tear down Baal’s temple, worship is restored, and Jerusalem settles into peace.
General
When Athaliah cried out against the new king, why did Jehoiada order her taken out before she was executed (2 Chronicles 23:14)?
Answer: She was not to be killed inside the LORD’s temple
Hearing the commotion as the crowd ran and cheered, Athaliah came to the temple, saw the young king standing by the pillar near the doorway with officers and trumpeters beside him while singers led the praise, tore her garments, and cried out that it was treason (23:12-13). Jehoiada ordered the commanders to lead her out through the lines of soldiers and to kill anyone who followed her, for he had said she was not to be executed inside the LORD’s temple (23:14). So they seized her at the Horse Gate by the palace and executed her there (23:15). Jehoiada guarded the holiness of God’s house even while dealing with a murderous usurper (someone who seizes power unlawfully). God’s law called Israel to revere His sanctuary (Leviticus 19:30), and holiness befits His house (Psalm 93:5).
- 2 Chronicles 23:13 (BSB)“And she looked and saw the king standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, while the singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!””Athaliah sees the king and the rejoicing people, tears her clothes, and cries treason.
- 2 Chronicles 23:14 (BSB)“And Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, saying, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.””Jehoiada has her brought out, for she must not be killed in the LORD’s house.
- Leviticus 19:30 (BSB)“You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.”God commanded Israel to revere His sanctuary.
- Psalm 93:5 (BSB)“Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, for all the days to come.”Holiness adorns the LORD’s house for all time.
Theological
What reason does Jehoiada give for having Athaliah removed before her execution (2 Chronicles 23:14)?
Answer: She was not to be killed inside the LORD’s temple
Athaliah, seeing the crowned king and the rejoicing assembly, tears her clothes and cries treason (23:12-13). Jehoiada orders her led out through the soldiers’ lines, explicitly so that she would not die within the LORD’s temple, and she is executed at the Horse Gate by the palace (23:14-15). Even in removing the usurper, Jehoiada protects the sanctity of God’s house, in keeping with the command to revere the LORD’s sanctuary (Leviticus 19:30) and the confession that holiness adorns His house (Psalm 93:5).
- 2 Chronicles 23:13 (BSB)“And she looked and saw the king standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, while the singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!””Athaliah sees the king and the rejoicing people, tears her clothes, and cries treason.
- 2 Chronicles 23:14 (BSB)“And Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, saying, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.””Jehoiada has her brought out, for she must not be killed in the LORD’s house.
- Leviticus 19:30 (BSB)“You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD.”God commanded Israel to revere His sanctuary.
- Psalm 93:5 (BSB)“Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, for all the days to come.”Holiness adorns the LORD’s house for all time.
General
What did the people do right after the covenant was made (2 Chronicles 23:17)?
Answer: They demolished Baal’s temple and broke its altars
Immediately after pledging themselves to the LORD, the crowd went to Baal’s temple (Baal was a Canaanite god worshiped through idols) and pulled it down, smashing its altars and images and killing Mattan, Baal’s priest, before those altars (23:17). Their covenant loyalty showed itself in removing false worship. God’s law had commanded Israel to tear down the altars of false gods and destroy their idols (Deuteronomy 12:3; Exodus 34:13). Baal worship had invaded Judah under Athaliah, whose sons had even taken holy temple articles for use in Baal worship (24:7).
- 2 Chronicles 23:17 (BSB)“So all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.”The people tear down Baal’s temple, smash its altars and idols, and kill Mattan.
- Deuteronomy 12:3 (BSB)“Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.”God commanded Israel to tear down the altars and idols of false gods.
- Exodus 34:13 (BSB)“Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.”Israel was to tear down altars and smash sacred stones of false worship.
- 2 Chronicles 24:7 (BSB)“For the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the house of God and had even used the sacred objects of the house of the LORD for the Baals.”Athaliah’s sons had used the temple’s sacred objects for the Baals.
Theological
What was the people’s first act following the covenant renewal (2 Chronicles 23:17)?
Answer: They demolished Baal’s temple and broke its altars
Covenant renewal issues at once in the destruction of Baal’s temple, its altars, and its images, and in the death of Mattan, Baal’s priest (23:17). This is obedience to the Mosaic command to demolish the shrines and images of false gods (Deuteronomy 12:3; Exodus 34:13). Baal worship had been entrenched under Athaliah, whose sons had plundered the LORD’s house to furnish the Baals (24:7); exclusive loyalty to the LORD required its removal.
- 2 Chronicles 23:17 (BSB)“So all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.”The people tear down Baal’s temple, smash its altars and idols, and kill Mattan.
- Deuteronomy 12:3 (BSB)“Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.”God commanded Israel to tear down the altars and idols of false gods.
- Exodus 34:13 (BSB)“Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.”Israel was to tear down altars and smash sacred stones of false worship.
- 2 Chronicles 24:7 (BSB)“For the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the house of God and had even used the sacred objects of the house of the LORD for the Baals.”Athaliah’s sons had used the temple’s sacred objects for the Baals.
General
True or False: After Joash was placed on the throne, Jerusalem was thrown into unrest by Athaliah’s remaining supporters.
Answer: False
This is false. The commanders, nobles, rulers, and the whole populace escorted the king from the temple into the palace and placed Joash on his throne; everyone celebrated, and Jerusalem was calm since Athaliah was dead (23:20-21). The end of a wicked ruler brought joy and peace. Proverbs observes that the downfall of the wicked brings cries of joy to a city (Proverbs 11:10), and that a people is glad under righteous leaders but groans under wicked ones (Proverbs 29:2).
- 2 Chronicles 23:21 (BSB)“and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword.”The people rejoice and the city is quiet after Athaliah’s death.
- Proverbs 11:10 (BSB)“When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.”When the wicked perish there are shouts of joy.
- Proverbs 29:2 (BSB)“When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”The people rejoice under the righteous but groan when the wicked rule.
Theological
True or False: Joash’s enthronement was followed by turmoil in Jerusalem as Athaliah’s followers resisted.
Answer: False
This is false. Joash is escorted from the temple and enthroned, the whole populace rejoices, and the city is at rest because Athaliah is dead (23:20-21). The removal of the usurper brings peace rather than unrest, illustrating the proverbs that a city rejoices at the fall of the wicked (Proverbs 11:10) and that wicked rule makes a people groan (Proverbs 29:2).
- 2 Chronicles 23:21 (BSB)“and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword.”The people rejoice and the city is quiet after Athaliah’s death.
- Proverbs 11:10 (BSB)“When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.”When the wicked perish there are shouts of joy.
- Proverbs 29:2 (BSB)“When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”The people rejoice under the righteous but groan when the wicked rule.
General
True or False: After Athaliah’s death, Jehoiada bound himself, Joash, and the whole nation in a covenant to belong to the LORD as His own nation.
Answer: True
This is true. Once Athaliah was gone, Jehoiada established a covenant (a binding pledge) joining himself, Joash, and the whole nation in a commitment to belong to the LORD and be His people (23:16). The restored throne was meant to serve a restored relationship with God. This echoes the covenant at Sinai, where God called Israel to obey Him and be His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5-6), and the covenant made under Asa to seek God wholeheartedly (15:12). God’s greatest promise is the new covenant, in which He writes His law on His people’s hearts and promises that they will belong to Him and He to them (Jeremiah 31:33).
- 2 Chronicles 23:16 (BSB)“Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people.”Jehoiada makes a covenant with the king and people that they will be the LORD’s people.
- Exodus 19:5-6 (BSB)“Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.””At Sinai God called Israel to keep His covenant and be His treasured possession.
- 2 Chronicles 15:12 (BSB)“Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.”Under Asa the people entered a covenant to seek the LORD with all their heart.
- Jeremiah 31:33 (BSB)““But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.”In the new covenant God promises to be their God and they His people.
Theological
True or False: Following Athaliah’s execution, Jehoiada entered a covenant joining himself, Joash, and the whole nation as the LORD’s own people.
Answer: True
This is true. Jehoiada renews the covenant relationship, binding priest, king, and people together as the LORD’s possession (23:16). Political restoration is subordinated to covenant renewal, recalling Sinai, where Israel was called to be God’s treasured possession and holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6), and the covenant under Asa to seek God with all the heart (15:12). Such renewals anticipate the new covenant, in which God Himself writes His law on hearts and secures the bond in which He belongs to them and they to Him (Jeremiah 31:33).
- 2 Chronicles 23:16 (BSB)“Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people.”Jehoiada makes a covenant with the king and people that they will be the LORD’s people.
- Exodus 19:5-6 (BSB)“Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.””At Sinai God called Israel to keep His covenant and be His treasured possession.
- 2 Chronicles 15:12 (BSB)“Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.”Under Asa the people entered a covenant to seek the LORD with all their heart.
- Jeremiah 31:33 (BSB)““But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.”In the new covenant God promises to be their God and they His people.
General
When Joash was made king, what did Jehoiada’s family present to him along with the crown (2 Chronicles 23:11)?
Answer: The Testimony
The priest and his sons led Joash out, crowned him, handed him the Testimony, and declared him king; and they anointed him (poured oil on him to set him apart as king) and shouted their acclaim for the new king (23:11). The Testimony is a name Scripture uses for God’s covenant law, such as the tablets placed in the ark (Exodus 25:16), and the psalm calls the LORD’s testimony trustworthy (Psalm 19:7). Giving the young king God’s Testimony fits the law’s command that a king keep a copy of God’s instruction with him and read it all his life (Deuteronomy 17:18-19). Joash’s reign began under God’s word.
- 2 Chronicles 23:11 (BSB)“Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!””Joash is crowned, given the Testimony, anointed, and proclaimed king.
- Exodus 25:16 (BSB)“And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.”The Testimony names the covenant law God gave, placed inside the ark.
- Psalm 19:7 (BSB)“The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.”The LORD’s testimony is called trustworthy, making the simple wise.
- Deuteronomy 17:18-19 (BSB)“When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes.”Israel’s king was to keep a copy of God’s law and read it all his life.
Theological
Besides the crown, what was given to Joash at his coronation (2 Chronicles 23:11)?
Answer: The Testimony
The coronation joins crown, anointing, acclamation, and the Testimony (23:11). Testimony is covenant vocabulary for God’s law, used of the tablets laid in the ark (Exodus 25:16) and of the LORD’s trustworthy word (Psalm 19:7). Handing the Testimony to Joash accords with the instruction for Israel’s king, who was to keep God’s instruction with him and read it all his life (Deuteronomy 17:18-19). The Davidic king was installed as a servant under the covenant, not above it.
- 2 Chronicles 23:11 (BSB)“Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!””Joash is crowned, given the Testimony, anointed, and proclaimed king.
- Exodus 25:16 (BSB)“And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.”The Testimony names the covenant law God gave, placed inside the ark.
- Psalm 19:7 (BSB)“The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.”The LORD’s testimony is called trustworthy, making the simple wise.
- Deuteronomy 17:18-19 (BSB)“When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes.”Israel’s king was to keep a copy of God’s law and read it all his life.
General
Why did Jehoiada station gatekeepers at the temple gates (2 Chronicles 23:19)?
Answer: So that anyone unclean in any way was kept out
Jehoiada restored order to worship: he gave the Levitical priests oversight of the temple as David had arranged, presenting burnt offerings as Moses’ law required, with joy and singing as David had ordered (23:18). He also posted gatekeepers at the temple gates so that nobody unclean in any way could enter (23:19). Unclean here means ritually impure under God’s law, unfit to come into His holy presence. The law said that an unclean person who refused purification defiled the LORD’s sanctuary (Numbers 19:20); David and Samuel had appointed gatekeepers to their posts of trust (1 Chronicles 9:22-23); and the psalm asks who is fit to enter God’s holy place, answering that it is the one whose hands are clean and whose heart is pure (Psalm 24:3-4).
- 2 Chronicles 23:18 (BSB)“Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David.”Jehoiada restores the Levitical priests and the offerings as Moses wrote and David ordained.
- 2 Chronicles 23:19 (BSB)“He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one who was in any way unclean could enter.”Gatekeepers are stationed so no one unclean can enter the LORD’s house.
- Numbers 19:20 (BSB)“But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.”An unclean person who did not purify himself defiled the LORD’s sanctuary.
- 1 Chronicles 9:22-23 (BSB)“The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust. So they and their descendants were assigned to guard the gates of the house of the LORD—the house called the Tent.”David and Samuel had appointed gatekeepers to guard the gates of the LORD’s house.
- Psalm 24:3-4 (BSB)“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.”Only one with clean hands and a pure heart may stand in God’s holy place.
Theological
What purpose does the text give for the gatekeepers Jehoiada posted (2 Chronicles 23:19)?
Answer: So that anyone unclean in any way was kept out
Jehoiada restores the Davidic ordering of worship, entrusting the temple to the Levitical priests for burnt offerings according to Moses’ law, with gladness and singing (23:18), and posting gatekeepers to bar anyone ritually unclean (23:19). Ceremonial purity guarded access to God’s presence: uncleanness defiled the sanctuary (Numbers 19:20), and gatekeepers had been established under David and Samuel (1 Chronicles 9:22-23). Psalm 24:3-4 draws out the moral heart of the matter: only the one whose hands are clean and whose heart is pure may come before Him.
- 2 Chronicles 23:18 (BSB)“Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David.”Jehoiada restores the Levitical priests and the offerings as Moses wrote and David ordained.
- 2 Chronicles 23:19 (BSB)“He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one who was in any way unclean could enter.”Gatekeepers are stationed so no one unclean can enter the LORD’s house.
- Numbers 19:20 (BSB)“But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.”An unclean person who did not purify himself defiled the LORD’s sanctuary.
- 1 Chronicles 9:22-23 (BSB)“The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust. So they and their descendants were assigned to guard the gates of the house of the LORD—the house called the Tent.”David and Samuel had appointed gatekeepers to guard the gates of the LORD’s house.
- Psalm 24:3-4 (BSB)“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.”Only one with clean hands and a pure heart may stand in God’s holy place.
General
When Jehoiada presented Joash to the assembly, what reason did he give that the boy must reign (2 Chronicles 23:3)?
Answer: The LORD had promised the throne to David’s heirs
When Joash had been hidden six years, Jehoiada the priest took courage and bound the army commanders to himself by covenant (a solemn binding agreement), who gathered the Levites and family heads from all Judah to Jerusalem (23:1-2). In God’s house the whole assembly bound itself by covenant to the king, and Jehoiada pointed to Joash and declared that he must reign, as the LORD had promised regarding David’s line (23:3). He then arranged the priests and Levites on Sabbath duty to guard the doors, the palace, and the Foundation Gate, let only consecrated priests and Levites into the temple, and had armed Levites surround the young king (23:4-10). Jehoiada’s plan rested on God’s word, not on mere politics. God had promised David to raise up his offspring and make his throne secure for all time (1 Chronicles 17:11-12), Solomon had prayed for God to keep that promise (6:16), and the psalm celebrates God’s sworn covenant with David (Psalm 89:3-4).
- 2 Chronicles 23:3 (BSB)“the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. “Behold, the king’s son!” said Jehoiada. “He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.”Jehoiada declares that the king’s son must reign, as the LORD promised concerning David’s descendants.
- 1 Chronicles 17:11-12 (BSB)“And when your days are fulfilled and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever.”God promised to raise up David’s offspring and establish his throne forever.
- 2 Chronicles 6:16 (BSB)“Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’”Solomon asked God to keep His promise that David would never lack a man on the throne.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (BSB)“You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’” Selah”God swore to David to establish his offspring and throne for all generations.
Theological
On what ground does Jehoiada insist that Joash must reign (2 Chronicles 23:3)?
Answer: The LORD had promised the throne to David’s heirs
Jehoiada’s action is grounded in covenant, not ambition. After securing the commanders and gathering the Levites and family heads (23:1-2), he presents Joash to the assembly as the rightful heir, appealing explicitly to the LORD’s promise regarding David’s line (23:3), then posts the priests and Levites on Sabbath duty to guard the temple and surround the king (23:4-10). The Davidic covenant promised an enduring throne for David’s offspring (1 Chronicles 17:11-12), Solomon had pleaded that promise at the temple’s dedication (6:16), and the psalmist rests on God’s oath to build up David’s throne through every generation (Psalm 89:3-4).
- 2 Chronicles 23:3 (BSB)“the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. “Behold, the king’s son!” said Jehoiada. “He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.”Jehoiada declares that the king’s son must reign, as the LORD promised concerning David’s descendants.
- 1 Chronicles 17:11-12 (BSB)“And when your days are fulfilled and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever.”God promised to raise up David’s offspring and establish his throne forever.
- 2 Chronicles 6:16 (BSB)“Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’”Solomon asked God to keep His promise that David would never lack a man on the throne.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (BSB)“You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.’” Selah”God swore to David to establish his offspring and throne for all generations.