2 Chronicles 23 5

2 Chronicles 23:5 kjv

And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 23:5 nkjv

one-third shall be at the king's house; and one-third at the Gate of the Foundation. All the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 23:5 niv

a third of you at the royal palace and a third at the Foundation Gate, and all the others are to be in the courtyards of the temple of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 23:5 esv

and one third shall be at the king's house and one third at the Gate of the Foundation. And all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 23:5 nlt

Another third will go over to the royal palace, and the final third will be at the Foundation Gate. Everyone else should stay in the courtyards of the LORD's Temple.

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 5 Meaning

2 Chronicles 23:5 details the meticulous deployment strategy devised by Jehoiada the priest for the Levitical guard during the unction and enthronement of the young king Joash. This crucial phase of the coup against Queen Athaliah involved positioning one third of the Levitical contingent at the king's palace for internal security, another third at the "Gate of the Foundation" to control access to vital temple or palace precincts, and a final third at the "Gate of the Horse" for external control of a strategic city entrance. Concurrently, all non-Levitical people were directed to gather in the Temple courts, ensuring public witness and containment during the volatile but divinely sanctioned restoration of the Davidic monarchy. This carefully orchestrated plan blended military precision with sacred duty, securing key locations and legitimizing the transfer of power.

2 Chronicles 23 5 Context

The events of 2 Chronicles 23 are set against a backdrop of deep political and spiritual crisis in Judah. Following the death of King Ahaziah (2 Chr 22:9), his mother Athaliah, daughter of the idolatrous Ahab and Jezebel, seized the throne. She attempted to exterminate all royal heirs from the Davidic line (2 Chr 22:10), but the infant Joash, son of Ahaziah, was rescued and hidden for six years by Jehoiada the priest and his wife Jehoshabeath (Athaliah's sister).

Chapter 23 opens with Jehoiada's bold and strategic plan to overthrow Athaliah and restore Joash, the rightful Davidic king, to the throne. He formed a covenant with the commanders of the forces and the Levitical chiefs. These Levites, normally assigned to temple duties and serving a weekly rotation, were covertly called into service. Verse 5 is a direct command within this secret military operation, detailing how these mobilized Levites were to be strategically positioned. The success of this meticulously planned coup hinged on control of critical entry points to both the palace and the Temple, coupled with managing the presence of the general populace to ensure public support and minimize opposition to the divinely sanctioned regime change. The setting is Jerusalem, specifically the Temple and its immediate vicinity, making the "house of the LORD" central to the execution and legitimacy of the event.

2 Chronicles 23 5 Word analysis

• And a third part of you (וְהַשְּׁלִישִׁית מִכֶּם - v'hash'lishit mikem)

  • "And a third part": שְׁלִישִׁית (shlishit), meaning "a third part," "the third part." This specific numerical division indicates precise military-like planning by Jehoiada, distributing the forces evenly for distinct security zones. It highlights a deliberate, organized deployment rather than a haphazard assembly.
  • "of you": Refers specifically to the Levitical guards, as detailed in the preceding verses (2 Chr 23:4). Their sacred calling, usually for temple service, is here temporarily extended to securing the Davidic monarchy—a demonstration of their versatile role in protecting God's covenant and appointed king.

• is to be at the king's house (בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ - beit ha'melekh)

  • "king's house": בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ (beit ha'melekh), "house of the king," refers to the royal palace where Queen Athaliah resided. This placement was crucial for securing the very seat of power and apprehending the usurper, as well as protecting Joash once he was brought out of hiding. It was the central point of control.

• and a third part at the gate of the foundation (וְהַשְּׁלִישִׁית בְּשַׁעַר הַיְסוֹד - v'hash'lishit b'sha'ar ha'yesod)

  • "gate of the foundation": שַׁעַר הַיְסוֹד (sha'ar ha'yesod), literally "gate of the foundation/base." This gate is generally believed to be a significant entrance to the Temple or palace complex, perhaps relating to a deep or structural foundation. In the parallel account in 2 Kgs 11:6, it is called the "Gate of Sur," possibly meaning "Gate of Departure" or "Gate of Turning," implying its function in regulating passage. This placement was critical for controlling the innermost sacred areas or palace entrances, preventing unauthorized access or escape, and ensuring the ritual purity and security of the coronation site within the Temple precinct.

• and a third part at the gate of the Horse (וְהַשְּׁלִישִׁית בְּשַׁעַר הַסּוּסִים - v'hash'lishit b'sha'ar ha'susim)

  • "gate of the Horse": שַׁעַר הַסּוּסִים (sha'ar ha'susim), "gate of the horses." This was a prominent gate of Jerusalem, often located on the east side of the city, overlooking the Kidron Valley, as mentioned in Nehemiah 3:28. Its name suggests it was used for royal processions involving horses, cavalry, or for passage related to royal stables. This strategic placement secured a significant external entry/exit point of the city, likely preventing reinforcements from reaching Athaliah or any of her loyalists from fleeing. It underscored the plan's thoroughness in controlling access to and from the entire capital.

• and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD (וְכָל-הָעָם בְּחַצְרוֹת בֵּית-יְהוָה. - v'khol ha'am b'hatz'rot beit-Adonai)

  • "all the people": כָּל-הָעָם (khol ha'am), signifying the entire populace gathered for the Sabbath/holy assembly, distinct from the armed Levites. Their presence in the Temple courts was essential for public legitimization of Joash's enthronement.
  • "courts of the house of the LORD": חַצְרוֹת בֵּית-יְהוָה (hatz'rot beit-Adonai), refers to the outer courtyards of the Temple, accessible to common Israelites. Placing the people here ensured they were present as witnesses to the coronation and sacred rites, lending popular support and spiritual legitimacy to the proceedings, while also keeping them confined and away from the immediate operational zones. It underscores the public and sacred nature of this restoration.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And a third part of you is to be...": This opening phrase immediately sets the tone for a precisely orchestrated plan. It reveals Jehoiada's methodical mind and the highly organized structure within the Levitical corps. The military division, though enacted by non-military personnel, shows the serious and disciplined nature of the operation.
• "...at the king's house, and a third part at the gate of the foundation, and a third part at the gate of the Horse": This enumeration of three distinct locations demonstrates a comprehensive approach to securing Jerusalem. The deployment covers the seat of governmental power (the king's house), critical access to the sacred precinct or inner palace (gate of the foundation), and an important city entry/exit point (gate of the Horse). This layered security strategy effectively sealed off the critical zones during the coup.
• "and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.": This final command regarding the general populace is crucial. It isolates them from the conflict, prevents panic or interference, and transforms them into active, albeit confined, witnesses to the sacred anointing and establishment of the new king. Their controlled presence within the holy courts further underscored the divine sanction and popular consent for Joash's ascension, contrasting with Athaliah's illegitimate and unholy rule. The Temple, central to Israelite life, thus becomes the legitimate backdrop for this change in leadership.

2 Chronicles 23 5 Bonus section

• Divine Orchestration: The meticulous detail in this plan, from dividing forces to choosing specific gates and placing the general populace, hints at divine guidance provided to Jehoiada, ensuring the Davidic covenant's survival despite Athaliah's efforts to extinguish the royal line. This was not merely a political maneuver but an act preserving God's promises.
• Levitical Role Expansion: This chapter provides a unique instance where the Levites, primarily designated for temple service (cleaning, music, sacrifices), temporarily act as an organized guard or military force. This underscores their ultimate loyalty and service to God's purpose, which in this context included protecting the legitimate Davidic king as central to the covenant.
• Contrast with Athaliah: The carefully planned and executed restoration of the rightful king, conducted within the holy precincts, stands in stark contrast to Athaliah's ruthless and impious usurpation and her introduction of paganism. It represents a purification and return to righteous governance in Judah.

2 Chronicles 23 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:5 showcases Jehoiada's profound wisdom, not just as a religious leader but as a shrewd strategist. His deployment of the Levites highlights a remarkable blend of military planning and religious conviction. The "house of the king" represented the political center where the usurper Athaliah held sway; its immediate securing was paramount for swift control. The "Gate of the Foundation" and the "Gate of the Horse" were not mere checkpoints but critical arteries for city access, movement, and potential escape or reinforcement routes for the opposition. By controlling these strategic points, Jehoiada ensured the operation's integrity from internal threats and external interference.

Furthermore, gathering "all the people" in the Temple courts served multiple purposes. It was a measure to maintain public order during a potentially chaotic event, to keep them safe from any unforeseen skirmish, and most importantly, to secure their collective witness and implicit approval of the divinely sanctioned change in leadership. This sacred space transformed into the backdrop for a holy revolution, legitimizing Joash's ascent through both a display of might and an act of worship. This verse perfectly encapsulates the blend of divine leading, human planning, and corporate participation in a pivotal moment of Judah's history, restoring not just a king but God's covenant order.