Bible Commentaries

2 Chronicles 23:1. And took the captains of hundreds — Not all, but those here following, in whom he put most trust. But the contents of this chapter, in general, having occurred 2 Kings 11., where they are explained, little need be said on them here.

2 Chronicles 23:2. And gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah — Because he knew them to be well affected to the cause of God and the king, to which they were bound by the two strongest ties, conscience and interest: and because he could collect them without any suspicion, it being their duty to attend at Jerusalem at the solemn feasts, the time of one which was probably chosen for this purpose. And the chief of the fathers Israel — Judah is here called Israel, as in several other places. They came to Jerusalem — To settle their resolutions with Jehoiada.

2 Chronicles 23:4-5. A third part of you shall be porters of the doors — Or rather, guards at the gates, to prevent any of Athaliah’s party from entering into the temple. At the gate of the foundation — So called, because it stood lower than the rest of the doors, at the foot of the steps by which they went up from the king’s house to the temple. And all the people shall be in the courts — In the two courts; for by the people here he seems to intend both the generality of the Levites, who had no particular station assigned them, such as their brethren had, and who were to be in the court of the priests, and the people who were in the court of the people.

2 Chronicles 23:6. Let none come into the house of the Lord — Strictly so called, and distinguished from the courts just mentioned, namely, into the sanctuary, or holy place. Save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites — Who are to minister in course, or according to my present appointment. They shall go in, for they are holy — They have been consecrated to the service of God, and are bound to attend there. But all the people shall keep the watch of the Lord — That is, of the house of the Lord, as is expressed 2 Kings 11:6. The meaning is, Let them stand in their court to prevent and oppose any person that shall endeavour violently to break into the house, to seize upon the king, or to oppose the present work, which he expected Athaliah and her accomplices would do.

2 Chronicles 23:11. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him — Among which sons was Zechariah, whom he afterward most ungratefully slew.

2 Chronicles 23:13. All the people rejoiced — To see a rod sprung out of the stem of Jesse! To see what they despaired of ever seeing, a king of the house of David.

2 Chronicles 23:16. Jehoiada made a covenant between him, &c. — In 2 Kings 11:17, it is said, Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, and the king, and the people. Here it is said to be made between him, the people, and the king. But the two passages do not contradict each other. For Jehoiada, as God’s priest, was his representative in this transaction, or a sort of mediator, as Moses was. God covenanted by him to take them for his people; and the king and people covenanted with him to be his; and then the king covenanted with the people to govern them as the people of God; and the people with the king, to be subject to him as the Lord’s people, in his fear, and for his sake. For it must be observed, that this covenant, and others made in like manner, were solemn promises on the part of the Jewish king and people, that, for the future, they would observe God’s laws: in return to which the high-priest promised, on the part of God, that, if they did so, they should enjoy all the blessings promised in those divine laws to obedience.

2 Chronicles 23:18. Jehoiada appointed the offices, &c. — Or rather, restored, for there was no new appointment of offices or officers, but the old officers were restored to their respective offices. The Hebrew literally translated is, He put the offices of the house of the Lord into the hand of the priests, &c. For in the time of the idolatrous kings, and of Athaliah, those offices had probably been disposed of to persons of other tribes, partly to gratify their wicked friends, and partly to bring God’s house and worship into disgrace.

2 Chronicles 23:21. All the people rejoiced: and the city was quiet — The generality of the people rejoiced, the rest were quiet, and made no opposition. When the son of David is enthroned in the soul, all therein is quiet, and springs of joy are opened.