2 Chronicles 23:9 kjv
Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
2 Chronicles 23:9 nkjv
And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had belonged to King David, that were in the temple of God.
2 Chronicles 23:9 niv
Then he gave the commanders of units of a hundred the spears and the large and small shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of God.
2 Chronicles 23:9 esv
And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains the spears and the large and small shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of God.
2 Chronicles 23:9 nlt
Then Jehoiada supplied the commanders with the spears and the large and small shields that had once belonged to King David and were stored in the Temple of God.
2 Chronicles 23 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | "...I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." | Davidic Covenant's enduring promise. |
| 1 Kgs 11:36 | "...that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem..." | God's commitment to David's line. |
| Ps 89:3-4 | "I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant: 'I will establish your offspring forever...'" | Affirmation of the Davidic covenant. |
| Ps 132:11 | "The Lord swore to David a sure oath... 'One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.'" | Divine promise for David's heir. |
| Is 9:6-7 | "...the government shall be upon his shoulder... Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David..." | Prophecy of Messiah as Davidic king. |
| Jer 23:5 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch..." | Messianic prophecy of a true king. |
| Eze 21:27 | "A ruin, ruin, ruin! I will make it a ruin. This also shall not be until he comes whose right it is..." | Legitimate king's rightful rule. |
| 1 Chr 9:22-26 | "All these who were chosen as gatekeepers... were charged with guarding the thresholds of the tent, just as their fathers had been..." | Temple guardians and security. |
| 1 Chr 26:1-19 | (Describes divisions of gatekeepers) | Organized temple service and defense. |
| Neh 4:16-18 | "Those who built on the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand... with the other hand held a weapon." | Spiritual work requiring readiness. |
| Eph 6:11-17 | "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil... spears, shields, and bucklers." | Spiritual armor for spiritual warfare. |
| Is 59:17 | "He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head..." | God's divine readiness/armament. |
| Rom 13:12 | "...let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." | Readiness for righteousness. |
| 2 Chr 24:1-3 | (Joash reigns under Jehoiada's guidance) | Importance of godly counsel for kings. |
| Exod 28:1 | "Bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to minister to Me as priests..." | Priestly authority and divine commission. |
| Deut 17:18-19 | "...when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself... a copy of this law... and read it all the days of his life..." | Law's guidance for righteous kingship. |
| Josh 6:19 | "But all silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord." | Dedicated items in the temple treasury. |
| 2 Kgs 11:4-12 | (Parallel account of Athaliah's overthrow) | Historical context of Jehoiada's actions. |
| Luke 1:32-33 | "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David." | Jesus' lineage and Davidic kingship. |
| Rev 19:15 | "From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations..." | Christ's ultimate victory and righteous rule. |
| Num 3:32 | "The chief of the leaders of Levi was Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest..." | Priests overseeing Levites. |
| Judg 5:8 | "...Was a shield or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?" | Scarcity of weapons (contrast). |
| 1 Sam 17:39 | (David uses different weapons than traditional armor) | David's trust in God, not just weapons. |
2 Chronicles 23 verses
2 Chronicles 23 9 Meaning
2 Chronicles 23:9 describes a crucial act during Jehoiada the priest's orchestration of King Joash's enthronement and the overthrow of the wicked Queen Athaliah. The verse signifies Jehoiada’s strategic leadership, equipping military captains with significant weapons—spears, shields, and bucklers—that had once belonged to King David and were stored in the house of God. This act underscores the spiritual authority backing the military action, symbolizing the re-establishment of legitimate Davidic rule and the protection of the divine order, facilitated by priestly leadership and sacred resources.
2 Chronicles 23 9 Context
The context of 2 Chronicles 23:9 is the pivotal period in Judah's history when Jehoiada the high priest orchestrates the overthrow of the tyrannical Queen Athaliah and restores the legitimate Davidic line to the throne in the person of young Joash. Athaliah, daughter of wicked King Ahab and Jezebel of Israel, had seized power and massacred the royal family after her son King Ahaziah died, preserving only Joash (rescued by Jehoiada's wife, Jehoshabeath). For six years, Joash was hidden in the temple while Athaliah reigned. Chapter 23 describes Jehoiada’s meticulous plan: gathering the Levites and heads of families, enlisting the temple guards, fortifying the temple, and bringing forth Joash for coronation. This verse highlights a specific detail of arming the appointed officers and Levites to secure the temple during this coup, using sacred weapons previously belonging to King David himself. It emphasizes that this military-political action was rooted in divine authorization, conducted within God's house, and aimed at upholding His covenant promises regarding the Davidic throne.
2 Chronicles 23 9 Word analysis
- Moreover: This connective adverb signifies a continuation or addition of significant details, indicating this act is part of a larger, coordinated plan.
- Jehoiada: (יְהוֹיָדָע - Yehoiada) Meaning "Yahweh knows" or "the Lord knows." He was the High Priest, a central and righteous figure in Judah, instrumental in preserving the Davidic dynasty and restoring the true worship of God. His name underscores the divine insight and wisdom behind his actions.
- delivered: (וַיִּתֵּן - vayitten) From the verb נָתַן (natan), "to give," "to put," "to place," "to hand over." It implies an official bestowal or transfer, a deliberate act of authorization and delegation. It was not mere lending, but provision under divine authority.
- to the captains of hundreds: These were military officers commanding units of one hundred men. Their presence indicates an organized, disciplined force being readied for a vital military-religious task—securing the temple and validating the legitimate king.
- spears: (הָרְמָחִים - haremakhim) Plural of רֹמַח (romakh), a long-shafted, thrusting weapon. Signifies offensive capability.
- and shields: (וְהַצִּנּוֹת - vehatsinnoth) Plural of צִנָּה (tsinnah), a large, full-body shield, offering substantial protection.
- and bucklers: (וְהַמָּגִנִּים - vehamaginnim) Plural of מָגֵן (magen), a smaller, lighter shield often round, offering agility in defense. The combination of offensive and defensive weaponry points to complete readiness.
- which had been King David's: This is a crucial detail. The weapons were not newly forged but bore a sacred historical legacy. It signifies a direct link to King David, the recipient of God's covenant, associating Joash's enthronement with the divinely established kingship. It imbues the arms with a powerful symbol of legitimacy, divine blessing, and past victories associated with a righteous king. It also implies their special, hallowed status, possibly dedicated spoils of war.
- which were in the house of God: (אֲשֶׁר בְּבֵית הָאֱלֹהִים - asher bevet ha'Elohim) This location underscores the sacredness and divine authority of these weapons. They were not ordinary arms but preserved treasures in the temple treasury. Their presence there implies dedication to God, protection by God, and readiness for use in God's appointed time and for God's purposes, further sanctifying the operation led by Jehoiada.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Jehoiada delivered to the captains of hundreds": This phrase highlights Jehoiada's authoritative role as the leader of this critical restoration effort. As High Priest, he directs military personnel, showcasing the fusion of spiritual authority and necessary action for God's purposes. This aligns with a period where religious leaders often played significant socio-political roles in Judah.
- "spears and shields and bucklers": The specific enumeration of these different types of weapons indicates thorough preparation for both offense and defense, emphasizing that the action taken was comprehensive and serious, designed to protect the temple and the legitimate heir. It suggests an readiness for decisive conflict against Athaliah's forces.
- "which had been King David's, which were in the house of God": This double description is highly significant. The weapons' origin connects Joash directly to the Davidic covenant and its enduring promise, establishing divine legitimacy for his rule. Their location in the temple signifies they are hallowed instruments, belonging to God and held in sacred trust, now being deployed under God's authorization to restore His rightful order. This makes the conflict not merely a political coup but a spiritual restoration of covenant and true worship.
2 Chronicles 23 9 Bonus section
The storage of David's weapons in the temple may indicate that these were votive offerings or spoils of war dedicated to God, signifying a custom of consecrating valuable or symbolically important items to the sanctuary. This practice echoes earlier instances, such as the sword of Goliath kept in Nob (1 Sam 21:9), also likely considered sacred. Furthermore, Jehoiada's strategic use of the temple's inherent defensive structure and its Levite guard for this crucial operation against Athaliah highlights the multi-faceted role of the temple not just as a place of worship but also as a stronghold and a repository of items with historical and spiritual significance. The narrative emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God's covenant loyalty over wicked human schemes, showing that even physical tools, when used under divine guidance and consecrated purpose, become instruments of God's will.
2 Chronicles 23 9 Commentary
2 Chronicles 23:9 encapsulates the divine legitimation of Joash's ascent and the nature of the confrontation with Athaliah. Jehoiada's action of arming the captains with King David's personal weapons, stored in the temple, was profoundly symbolic and practical. Symbolically, these were not just any arms; they were saturated with the legacy of God's anointed king, David, signifying divine endorsement of the plan to restore David's rightful heir. Their presence "in the house of God" further hallowed their use, turning the act into a divinely sanctioned military operation to reclaim God's throne. Practically, these were likely potent weapons, maintained and available precisely for such critical times of defending God's order. This verse teaches that God can provide all necessary resources, even ancient dedicated armaments, to fulfill His purposes and protect His covenant, often through the wise and bold leadership of His devoted servants like Jehoiada.