Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 23

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 23:1, Jehoiada, having set things in order, makes Joash king; 2 Chronicles 23:12, Athaliah is slain; 2 Chronicles 23:16, Jehoiada restores the worship of God.

Verse 1

seventh year: 2 Kings 11:4-16

covenant with him: 2 Chronicles 15:12, 1 Samuel 18:3, Nehemiah 9:38

Reciprocal: Numbers 4:3 - enter 2 Kings 12:7 - Jehoiada 1 Chronicles 2:38 - Azariah 1 Chronicles 25:1 - the captains 2 Chronicles 22:11 - Jehoiada 2 Chronicles 24:16 - because 2 Chronicles 32:5 - he strengthened

Verse 2

went about: Psalms 112:5, Matthew 10:16, Ephesians 5:15

the chief of: Houbigant omits the words of Israel. Bp. Patrick, however, is of the opinion that Judah is here called by the general name of Israel, but it is probable, that these "chief fathers of Israel," were the descendants of those priests and Levites, and other pious persons of the ten tribes, who left their cities and possessions, and joined themselves to Judah, in the days of Jeroboam. See the parallel passages. 2 Chronicles 11:13-17, 1 Chronicles 15:12, 1 Chronicles 24:6

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 21:2 - Israel

Verse 3

made a covenant: 2 Chronicles 23:16, 2 Samuel 5:3, 2 Kings 11:17, 1 Chronicles 11:3

as the Lord: 2 Chronicles 6:16, 2 Chronicles 7:18, 2 Chronicles 21:7, 2 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 7:16, 1 Kings 2:4, 1 Kings 9:5, 1 Chronicles 9:9-27, Psalms 89:29, Psalms 89:36

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 22:1 - the inhabitants

Verse 4

entering: 1 Chronicles 23:3-6, 1 Chronicles 24:3-6, Luke 1:8, Luke 1:9

porters: 1 Chronicles 26:13-16

doors: Heb. thresholds

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:6 - the gate of Sur 1 Chronicles 9:19 - over the host 1 Chronicles 24:19 - the orderings 2 Chronicles 8:14 - the courses Ecclesiastes 10:10 - wisdom Acts 4:1 - the captain

Verse 5

the king's house: 2 Kings 11:5, 2 Kings 11:6, Ezekiel 44:2, Ezekiel 44:3, Ezekiel 46:2, Ezekiel 46:3

the gate: Acts 3:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:19 - by the way Psalms 92:3 - instrument

Verse 6

they that minister: 2 Kings 11:6, 2 Kings 11:7, 1 Chronicles 23:28-32

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:8 - with thy Nehemiah 12:45 - the ward

Verse 7

the Levites: 2 Kings 11:8, 2 Kings 11:9

whosoever: Exodus 19:12, Exodus 19:13, Exodus 21:14, Numbers 3:10, Numbers 3:38

Verse 8

the Levites: 2 Kings 11:9

the courses: 1 Chronicles 24:1 - 1 Chronicles 26:32

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:25 - seven 1 Chronicles 24:19 - the orderings 2 Chronicles 31:2 - the courses 2 Chronicles 35:2 - charges

Verse 9

spears: 1 Samuel 21:9, 2 Samuel 8:7

which were in the house: When the soldier retired from the tumults of war to the bosom of his family, he frequently hung up his arms in the temple, as a grateful acknowledgment of the protection he had received, and of the victories he had won. It is highly probable, therefore, that the arms of David which Jehoiada delivered to the captains of hundreds, "which were in the house of God," were laid up in the tabernacle by David when he resigned the command of his armies to his generals; and there is reason to believe that his conduct, in this respect, was followed by many of his companions in arms.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:10 - king David's spears 2 Kings 11:15 - captains 1 Chronicles 25:1 - the captains

Verse 10

side of the temple: Heb. shoulder of the house, 2 Kings 11:11

along by: 2 Chronicles 6:12, Exodus 40:6

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:10 - king David's spears Joel 2:8 - sword

Verse 11

They brought: 2 Chronicles 22:11, 2 Kings 11:12

put upon: 2 Samuel 1:10, Psalms 21:3, Psalms 89:39, Psalms 132:18, Hebrews 2:9, James 1:12, James 2:5, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 4:10, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 19:12

the testimony: Exodus 25:16, Exodus 31:18, Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Psalms 2:10-12, Psalms 78:5, Isaiah 8:16, Isaiah 8:20, Isaiah 49:23

anointed him: 1 Samuel 10:1, 2 Samuel 5:3, 1 Kings 1:39, Psalms 89:20, Acts 4:26, Acts 4:27

God save the king: Heb. Let the king live, 1 Samuel 10:24, 2 Samuel 16:16, 1 Kings 1:34, Matthew 21:9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 1:25 - God save king Adonijah 2 Chronicles 24:20 - the son

Verse 12

Now when: 2 Kings 11:13-16

she came: 2 Kings 9:32-37

Verse 13

she looked: Psalms 14:5

the king: 2 Chronicles 34:31, 2 Kings 23:3

and the princes: Numbers 10:1-10, 1 Chronicles 15:24

all the people: 1 Kings 1:39, 1 Kings 1:40, 1 Chronicles 12:40, Proverbs 11:10, Proverbs 29:2

sounded: Judges 7:8, Judges 7:18-22, 2 Kings 9:13

the singers: 1 Chronicles 15:16-22, 1 Chronicles 15:27, 1 Chronicles 25:1-8

Then Athaliah: Ecclesiastes 9:12

Treason: Heb. Conspiracy, 1 Kings 18:17, 1 Kings 18:18, 2 Kings 9:23, Romans 2:1, Romans 2:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 10:5 - cupbearers 1 Chronicles 25:8 - the teacher 2 Chronicles 9:4 - ascent Ezekiel 44:3 - for Ezekiel 46:2 - by the post

Verse 14

Have her forth: The Vulgate has here, and in the parallel place, Educite illam extra septa templi, "Take her out beyond the precincts of the temple." These were walls erected in parallel lines, and forming an extensive range of buildings around the sacred edifice. Exodus 21:14

whoso followeth her: He who takes her part let him be instantly slain. 2 Kings 10:25, 2 Kings 11:8, 2 Kings 11:15

Slay her not: Ezekiel 9:7

Verse 15

the horse gate: This gate was in the eastern wall of the city, towards the brook Kidron - Jeremiah 31:40, at which the king's horses probably went out from the stables at Millo. It was near the temple; and some Rabbins suppose that, in order to go to the temple, a person might go on horseback to this place, but was then obliged to alight. Nehemiah 3:28

they slew her there: 2 Chronicles 22:10, Judges 1:7, Psalms 5:6, Psalms 55:23, Matthew 7:2, James 2:13, Revelation 16:5-7

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:16 - by the which

Verse 16

made a covenant: 2 Chronicles 15:12, 2 Chronicles 15:14, 2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 34:31, 2 Chronicles 34:32, Deuteronomy 5:2, Deuteronomy 5:3, Deuteronomy 29:1-15, 2 Kings 11:17, Ezra 10:3, Nehemiah 5:12, Nehemiah 5:13, Nehemiah 9:38, Nehemiah 10:29-39

that they should: Deuteronomy 26:17-19, Joshua 24:21-25, Isaiah 44:5

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 29:10 - General Joshua 24:25 - made 2 Samuel 5:3 - made 2 Kings 23:3 - made a covenant 2 Chronicles 15:15 - rejoiced 2 Chronicles 23:3 - made a covenant Jeremiah 11:2 - General Jeremiah 34:8 - had

Verse 17

the house of Baal: 2 Chronicles 34:4, 2 Chronicles 34:7, 2 Kings 10:25-28, 2 Kings 11:18, 2 Kings 18:4

brake his altars: Deuteronomy 12:3, Isaiah 2:18, Zechariah 13:2, Zechariah 13:3

slew Mattan: Deuteronomy 13:5, Deuteronomy 13:9, 1 Kings 18:40, 2 Kings 11:18, 2 Kings 11:19

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:30 - I will destroy 2 Chronicles 31:1 - brake

Verse 18

whom David: 1 Chronicles 23:1 - 1 Chronicles 24:31

as it is written: Numbers 28:1-31

by David: Heb. by the hands of David, 2 Chronicles 29:25, 1 Chronicles 25:1-31

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:18 - appointed 2 Chronicles 29:27 - the song 2 Chronicles 35:2 - charges

Verse 19

porters: 1 Chronicles 9:23, 1 Chronicles 9:24, 1 Chronicles 26:1-32

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:19 - by the way

Verse 20

the captains: 2 Kings 11:9, 2 Kings 11:10, 2 Kings 11:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:11 - nobles 2 Chronicles 27:3 - high gate

Verse 21

2 Kings 11:20, Psalms 58:10, Psalms 58:11, Proverbs 11:10, Revelation 18:20, Revelation 19:1-4

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 21:20 - without being desired