2 Chronicles 23 13

2 Chronicles 23:13 kjv

And she 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 music, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

2 Chronicles 23:13 nkjv

When she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance; and the leaders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, also the singers with musical instruments, and those who led in praise. So Athaliah tore her clothes and said, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Chronicles 23:13 niv

She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and musicians with their instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Chronicles 23:13 esv

And when she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with their musical instruments leading in the celebration. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Chronicles 23:13 nlt

When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar at the Temple entrance. The commanders and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Singers with musical instruments were leading the people in a great celebration. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 13 Meaning

2 Chronicles 23:13 captures the dramatic climax of the coup against Athaliah. It describes her immediate reaction to seeing the legitimate king, Joash, revealed in the Temple. She witnesses the king standing by a prominent pillar, surrounded by loyal princes and trumpeters. The widespread jubilation of the people, expressed through joyful shouts, more trumpet blasts, and the sound of singers with musical instruments from the Levitical praise leaders, confirmed Joash's enthronement. Overwhelmed by this overwhelming public acceptance and divine affirmation of the new king, Athaliah, in a desperate and ironic act, tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason, Treason!" Her cry reveals her panic and the complete failure of her usurped authority.

2 Chronicles 23 13 Context

This verse is the focal point of the seven-year conspiracy orchestrated by Jehoiada the high priest to restore the legitimate Davidic lineage to the throne of Judah. After the death of her son Ahaziah, Athaliah, filled with Baal worship and political ambition, had brutally massacred all the royal heirs to seize power, save for baby Joash, who was secretly rescued and hidden by Jehoiada. For six years, Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri and daughter of Jezebel, reigned as a tyrannical queen, promoting idolatry. Chapter 23 describes Jehoiada's meticulous plan to stage the coup. He enlists the support of the Levites, the captains of the hundreds, and guards, meticulously preparing for the coronation inside the sacred confines of the Temple, away from Athaliah's influence. Verse 13 depicts the precise moment of revelation to Athaliah: the young Joash is presented as king, and the massive public and priestly celebration, complete with trumpets and music, serves as a grand proclamation of his legitimacy and the repudiation of Athaliah's rule. This event marked a crucial restoration of both the true monarchy and the true worship of Yahweh in Judah.

2 Chronicles 23 13 Word analysis

• And she looked, and, behold: Athaliah, upon hearing the commotion and trumpets (v. 12), rushes from her palace to the Temple precinct, witnessing the unexpected and horrifying sight. The "behold" emphasizes the sudden and astonishing nature of what she sees.
• the king: This refers to Joash, the legitimate, though previously hidden, heir of the Davidic line. He is referred to as "king" to establish his true status over Athaliah's usurped title.
• stood by a pillar (עַמּוּד - `ammûd): A significant architectural feature, often implying stability, prominence, or a ceremonial place. In the temple context, this was likely a prominent pillar at the entrance, potentially marking the traditional standing place for the king during important religious ceremonies or covenants. It symbolized the king's legitimate connection to the Temple and divine authority. Such "pillars" are mentioned in other royal contexts, including a vision in Ezekiel's temple.
• at the entering in (מָבוֹא - māvoʾ): This refers to an entrance, specifically a gate or vestibule within the temple courts. Placing the king there allowed him to be seen by a large gathering.
• and the princes (שָׂרִים - śārîm) and the trumpets (חֲצֹצְרוֹת - ḥăṣoṣərôt) by the king: The "princes" were key officials, representing the civic and military leadership, demonstrating their allegiance to Joash. The "trumpets" here were specific silver trumpets, typically blown by priests (Num 10:2-8), signaling royal proclamations, war, or joyous assemblies, thus providing religious sanction and emphasizing the gravity and official nature of the event. Their presence with the king solidified his legitimacy.
• and all the people of the land (עַם־הָאָרֶץ - `am-hāʾāreṣ) rejoiced (שָׂמַח - śāmaḥ): The "people of the land" were not just random commoners, but likely the populace with vested interest in their land, possibly property owners and substantial citizens who often played a role in validating or opposing kings. Their collective rejoicing signifies overwhelming public approval and relief from Athaliah's oppressive rule. This stands in stark contrast to her impending downfall.
• and sounded with trumpets (תָקַע בַּחֲצֹצְרוֹת - tāqaʿ bĕḥaṣōṣərôt): The action "to sound" or "blow" reinforces the loud and clear proclamation of the new king. It indicates an active participation of the crowd in celebrating Joash.
• also the singers (מְשׁוֹרְרִים - mĕšōrěrîm) with instruments of musick (כְּלֵי שִׁיר - kĕlê šîr): These were the Levitical choirs and musicians, specifically designated for temple worship and festivities (1 Chr 15, 2 Chr 5). Their presence, alongside their "instruments of music," added a deeply religious and sanctified dimension to the coronation, emphasizing that Joash's return to the throne was not just a political coup, but a restoration of divine order.
• and such as taught to sing praises (לָקַח לָשִׁיר תְּהִלָּה - lāqaḥ lāśîr tĕhillâ): This refers to those specially appointed to lead or teach songs of praise and hymns, highlighting the structured and professional nature of the musical worship, indicating a complete religious endorsement of the new king.
• Then Athaliah rent her clothes (קָרַע בִּגְדֶיהָ - qāraʿ bigdêhā), and said, Treason, Treason (קֶשֶׁר קֶשֶׁר - qešer, qešer). "Rending clothes" was a conventional public expression of extreme distress, grief, despair, or outrage, signifying that her world had come apart. The repetition of "Treason" (conspiracy/rebellion) conveys her desperation, a frantic but futile attempt to declare the ongoing events illegal. It's ironic, as she herself was the true usurper and traitor to the legitimate Davidic line and the true worship of God.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "And she looked, and, behold, the king stood by a pillar at the entering in": This phrase dramatically sets the scene from Athaliah's perspective, highlighting the shocking visual proof of her lost authority. The "pillar" signifies the new king's established and firm position, deeply rooted in the legitimate spiritual and physical heart of the kingdom.
• "and the princes and the trumpets by the king": This group solidifies the immediate, direct support Joash receives from both the governmental leadership (princes) and the religious-military authorities (priestly trumpeters), emphasizing unity in restoring the monarchy. The proximity to the king shows their direct endorsement.
• "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 praises": This paints a vibrant, overwhelming scene of national celebration, marked by public acclamation, military fanfare, and organized temple worship. The combined sounds drown out any potential dissent, portraying a divinely sanctioned popular uprising against tyranny. It underscores the restoration of a proper king for a God-fearing nation.
• "Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason": This concluding phrase vividly portrays Athaliah's collapse. Her act of rending clothes is a desperate and outward sign of her inner turmoil and failed scheme. Her repeated cry of "Treason!" is rich in dramatic irony, as it is she, not Joash or Jehoiada, who truly committed treason against God's established order and the Davidic covenant. This marked her political and spiritual death knell.

2 Chronicles 23 13 Bonus section

• The detail of Athaliah coming into the temple, where she, as an idolatrous queen, would typically be forbidden from entering certain inner courts, adds another layer of transgression and desperation to her presence.
• The "pillar" by which the king stood may specifically refer to Jachin or Boaz, the two bronze pillars flanking the entrance to the Holy Place, which represented strength and stability—attributes now symbolically bestowed upon Joash's restored reign.
• The orchestrated use of trumpets, shouts, and music effectively creates an audible wall of loyal acclamation, further isolating Athaliah and making her protest irrelevant in the face of such overwhelming national affirmation. The sounds would have been designed to overpower her shouts, both literally and figuratively.
• Athaliah's act of rending her clothes also marks a point of no return for her; it is a sign of finality in a crisis, indicating the immediate end of her reign. This public spectacle signals the comprehensive overthrow of idolatry and tyranny by divine faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 23 13 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:13 is a powerful scene depicting the swift and decisive shift from tyrannical usurpation to legitimate divine kingship. Athaliah's cruel reign, a foreign and idolatrous blight on Judah, is abruptly shattered by the dramatic unveiling of Joash. The positioning of Joash "by a pillar" within the temple signifies the stability and divine backing of his rule, deeply rooted in Yahweh's house. The widespread joy, loud trumpets, and sacred music are not just general celebrations but deliberate public declarations of Joash's anointing by the priests and his popular acceptance by the people. This united acclamation by political leaders, religious officials, and the common populace unequivocally legitimizes Joash and rejects Athaliah. Her final desperate cry of "Treason!" is a futile and deeply ironic attempt to maintain control. It is a moment where the kingdom is publicly returned to its rightful lineage, foreshadowing how God restores order, and evil's self-deception leads to its own undoing. This verse encapsulates the divine overturning of an illegitimate ruler through faithful priestly leadership and the fervent support of the people, all in accordance with God's covenant promises.