2 Chronicles 23 1

2 Chronicles 23:1 kjv

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.

2 Chronicles 23:1 nkjv

In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and made a covenant with the captains of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri.

2 Chronicles 23:1 niv

In the seventh year Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zikri.

2 Chronicles 23:1 esv

But in the seventh year Jehoiada took courage and entered into a covenant with the commanders of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri.

2 Chronicles 23:1 nlt

In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada the priest decided to act. He summoned his courage and made a pact with five army commanders: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri.

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 1 Meaning

2 Chronicles 23:1 describes the High Priest Jehoiada’s decisive action in the seventh year of Athaliah's oppressive reign. He meticulously gathered, encouraged, and established a covenant with five key military leaders (captains of hundreds) from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. This act signifies the commencement of a meticulously planned and God-ordained counter-coup aimed at overthrowing the wicked Queen Athaliah, restoring the rightful Davidic king Joash, and reinstating proper Yahweh worship in Judah. It emphasizes proactive, Spirit-empowered leadership and the crucial role of united, covenantal commitment in executing divine will against great odds.

2 Chronicles 23 1 Context

2 Chronicles 23:1 initiates a dramatic turn in the history of Judah after a period of extreme moral and spiritual decline. Chapters 21-22 detail the reign of Jehoram (son of Jehoshaphat), heavily influenced by his wicked wife Athaliah (daughter of Ahab and Jezebel), and the brief, equally wicked reign of their son Ahaziah. After Ahaziah’s death, his mother Athaliah seized the throne, initiating a massacre of the royal seed to eliminate all competitors from David’s line, except for the infant Joash, who was secretly saved by Jehoiada's wife, Jehosheba (Athaliah's half-sister and Joash's aunt). Athaliah's seven-year reign was a period of oppressive idolatry, as she aggressively promoted Baal worship in Judah, directly challenging Yahweh's covenant with David and His promised perpetual throne. Chapter 23, verse 1, marks the decisive moment when High Priest Jehoiada, having hidden Joash for six years within the Temple, took action to reverse this wickedness and fulfill God’s promise to David, setting the stage for Joash’s coronation and Judah's return to Yahweh worship. This verse signals the pivot from spiritual degradation to courageous reformation, underpinned by a faithful priesthood and key national leaders.

2 Chronicles 23 1 Word analysis

• In the seventh year: This precise chronological marker emphasizes the deliberate and planned timing of Jehoiada's action. Seven is a number of completion or divine fullness in biblical numerology, subtly hinting at the providential culmination of the period of waiting and preparation.
• Jehoiada: (Hebrew: יְהוֹיָדָע, Yəhôyāḏāʿ, meaning "Yahweh knows" or "Yahweh has known"). He was the High Priest during the reigns of Athaliah and Joash, serving a pivotal role in the preservation of the Davidic line and the restoration of Yahweh worship. His name signifies divine wisdom and knowledge in His servant. As High Priest, he was responsible for the spiritual well-being of the nation and the upkeep of the Temple, making him uniquely positioned to lead this counter-revolution and purify the religious landscape.
• strengthened himself: (Hebrew: חִזַּק, ḥizzaq, Piel stem). This verb signifies active exertion, firm resolve, making oneself strong, taking courage, or fortifying. It implies a conscious, intentional effort on Jehoiada's part to brace himself and gather his spiritual, mental, and practical resources for the daunting task ahead. This was not a moment of weakness or impulsive action but a resolute step taken with courage derived from conviction in God's promises and righteousness. It implies strategic fortitude against prevailing evil.
• and took: (Hebrew: לָקַח, lāqaḥ, "to take," "to fetch," "to seize," "to obtain"). In this context, it implies Jehoiada actively initiated contact and recruited these men, bringing them into his plan. It indicates his leadership in seeking out and gathering those he trusted for this vital mission.
• captains of hundreds: These were military leaders responsible for units of 100 soldiers, representing key positions of influence and practical authority within Judah’s forces. Their involvement was crucial for mobilizing support and ensuring the success of the uprising. Their willingness to follow Jehoiada highlights his strong influence and reputation, likely due to his steadfast faithfulness as High Priest during Athaliah’s reign of idolatry.
• Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri: The specific listing of five names provides historical authenticity and underscores the meticulous and collaborative nature of Jehoiada’s preparations. These were not mere subordinates but key confederates, chosen for their reliability and influence. Their inclusion in the narrative personalizes the risks and commitments involved.
• into a covenant with him: (Hebrew: בְּרִית, bərit, meaning "covenant," "pact," "agreement," "treaty"). This is a solemn, binding agreement, sealed with oaths and often in the presence of God. It was not merely a secret conspiracy but a formal, religious, and legal pact, investing their actions with divine sanction and mutual obligation. This covenant established shared purpose, commitment, and mutual accountability, essential for the dangerous task of overthrowing a monarch and restoring the divinely appointed Davidic line and the covenant with Yahweh. This parallels God's own covenant with His people, highlighting the serious and sacred nature of their shared mission.

2 Chronicles 23 1 Bonus section

The narrative of 2 Chronicles 23:1, when cross-referenced with 2 Kings 11, shows slight variations but core consistency. While 2 Kings emphasizes the enlistment of the Carites and the guard, 2 Chronicles foregrounds the "captains of hundreds" and their covenant with Jehoiada. This difference underscores the Chronicler's specific emphasis on internal leadership, particularly within the Judean tribal structures, and the spiritual foundation of their commitment. The Chronicler highlights the role of the people's military-civilian leadership joining forces with the High Priest to effect national transformation, reinforcing the idea of a broader, covenantal solidarity in Judah for Yahweh. This was a move driven not by a mere palace coup, but by a divine mandate to restore the Davidic line and cleanse the land from Baal worship, affirming God's unfailing promise to David. Jehoiada's wisdom in carefully selecting these men over six years demonstrates a profound trust in God's timing and meticulous preparation rather than hasty action.

2 Chronicles 23 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:1 opens a pivotal chapter in Judah’s history, marking a turning point from extreme apostasy and oppression under Queen Athaliah to restoration under the rightful Davidic king, Joash, and a resurgence of Yahweh worship. This single verse highlights the critical role of one faithful leader, Jehoiada, whose profound courage and strategic wisdom reversed the trajectory of the nation. His decision to "strengthen himself" signifies a proactive, God-inspired resolve—a necessary posture for any leader confronting deeply entrenched wickedness. This was not a whimsical act but a deliberate, calculated step after years of waiting and preparing young Joash.

The choice of "captains of hundreds" emphasizes the practical and organizational aspect of this sacred undertaking. Jehoiada didn't act alone; he carefully recruited key individuals, signifying the importance of alliance and shared conviction in God's work. The formation of a "covenant" elevated their political action to a spiritual undertaking. It transcended a mere military conspiracy, imbuing their collective endeavor with solemn vows and mutual accountability before God, binding them to a divinely ordained purpose. This mirrors the biblical pattern of God working through human covenants and demonstrating the principle that effective action often requires shared commitment and courage amongst righteous individuals, even when faced with overwhelming opposition. The meticulous listing of the five captains reinforces the historical reliability and specificity of this momentous event, anchoring the divine drama in the real lives of those who courageously participated. The verse establishes the foundational resolve and spiritual-political alliance that would rescue the Davidic dynasty and revive true religion in Judah.

• Practical Example: For believers today, this verse can inspire courage and strategic action. Just as Jehoiada strengthened himself to confront evil, Christians are called to stand firm in their faith, sometimes requiring them to proactively address moral decay or spiritual lukewarmness in their communities or families, seeking like-minded individuals to form "covenants" of purpose, working together for God's glory.