📖 2 Chronicles — Chapter 23 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Chronicles 23:1 And in the Rseventh 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.
2 Chronicles 23:2 And they Rwent 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.
2 Chronicles 23:3 And all the congregation Rmade 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.
2 Chronicles 23:4 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you Rentering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the Tdoors;
2 Chronicles 23:5 And a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at Rthe gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 23:6 But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and Rthey that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 23:7 And Rthe 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.
2 Chronicles 23:8 So Rthe 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.
2 Chronicles 23:9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds Rspears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God.
2 Chronicles 23:10 And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right Tside of the Ttemple to the left side of the temple, Ralong by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
2 Chronicles 23:11 Then Rthey 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, TGod save the king.
2 Chronicles 23:12 RNow when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:
2 Chronicles 23:13 And Rshe 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, TTreason, Treason.
2 Chronicles 23:14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, RHave 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.
2 Chronicles 23:15 So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of Rthe horse gate by the king’s house, they slew her there.
2 Chronicles 23:16 And Jehoiada Rmade a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’s people.
2 Chronicles 23:17 Then all the people went to Rthe 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.
2 Chronicles 23:18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, Rwhom 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, Tas it was ordained by David.
2 Chronicles 23:19 And he set the Rporters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.
2 Chronicles 23:20 And he took Rthe 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.
2 Chronicles 23:21 And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 23:1–7 — Jehoiada prepares the restoration
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jehoiada gathers captains, Levites, and leaders to establish the preserved king. He recalls the LORD's word concerning David's sons and arranges guards around the boy and the sanctuary. The account describes an ancient royal restoration in a dangerous setting. Its armed arrangements are not directions for modern religious communities.
Key Truth: Read the restoration within its particular historical setting.
Check What You Remember
1. Who organized the covenant with the captains? (2 Chronicles 23:1)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:1 (KJV).
2. Where did the congregation covenant with the king? (2 Chronicles 23:3)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:3 (KJV).
3. Who were to surround the king? (2 Chronicles 23:7)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 23:8–15 — Joash crowned and Athaliah removed
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The appointed groups follow Jehoiada's arrangements, and Joash receives the crown and testimony. Athaliah arrives at the sound of celebration and is removed and killed outside the temple. The narrative recounts the end of a violent usurpation. Readers should distinguish that historical account from personal permission to use force.
Key Truth: Distinguish historical royal judgment from your own authority.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose stored weapons were given to the captains? (2 Chronicles 23:9)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:9 (KJV).
2. What was given to the king with his crown? (2 Chronicles 23:11)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:11 (KJV).
3. What did Athaliah cry? (2 Chronicles 23:13)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Chronicles 23:16–21 — Covenant and worship restored
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jehoiada establishes a covenant that king and people will belong to the LORD. The people destroy Baal's house, and temple service is restored according to the law and David's arrangements. Joash is seated on the throne, and the city becomes quiet. The restoration joins leadership with renewed responsibility in worship.
Key Truth: Renewed commitment should shape continuing practice.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose people did the covenant declare them to be? (2 Chronicles 23:16)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:16 (KJV).
2. Which false god's house was destroyed? (2 Chronicles 23:17)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:17 (KJV).
3. Whose law governed the offerings? (2 Chronicles 23:18)
Find it in 2 Chronicles 23:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Deuteronomy 17:19 — The law connects kingship with reading and keeping God's commands.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What ongoing practice would make a renewed commitment visible in your life?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What promise supports the covenant to establish the king’s son?
2. How does the plan combine protection with restrictions on temple entry?
3. How does Athaliah’s cry contrast with the surrounding scene?
4. How is the location of Athaliah’s execution deliberately restricted?
5. How does covenant renewal lead into worship reform?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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