2 Crônicas 23
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Crônicas 23
Utley - Jehoiada assembled a Levite army to protect the rightful Davidic heir (cf. 2 Kgs. 11:4-20). This is not mentioned in the 2 Kings parallel. The Chronicler is always promoting the Levites! 2 Chronicles 23:3 Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David. AMP Then all the assembly made a covenant in the house of God with the king [that is, with the child Joash, to overthrow Athaliah by proclaiming his sovereignty]. And Jehoiada [the priest] said to them, “Behold, the king’s son [Joash] shall reign, as the Lord has said in regard to the sons of David. AMPC And all the assembly made a covenant in the house of God with the king [little Joash, to suddenly proclaim his sovereignty and overthrow Athaliah’s tyranny]. And Jehoiada the priest said to them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the Lord has said of the offspring of David. CEB The entire assembly made a covenant with the king in God’s temple. Jehoiada said, “Look! Here is the king’s son. He must be king, just as the Lord promised about David’s descendants. made a covenant: 2Ch 23:16 2Sa 5:3 2Ki 11:17 1Ch 11:3 as the LORD has spoken: 2Ch 6:16 7:18 21:7 2Sa 7:12,16 1Ki 2:4 9:5 1Ch 9:9-27 Ps 89:29,36 A SECOND COVENANT NOW WITH THE KING Then all the assembly made (karath - cut) a covenant (beriyth) with the king in the house of God - This covenant not described in 2Ki 11, althought 2Ki 11:17+ and 2Ch 23:16. And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold (hinneh) the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David - This would have been an incredibly dramatic moment and a surprise to all Judah because no one knew Joash was alive. There is an interesting play on words (or thoughts concerning "covenant"), for here all the assembly agree to a solemn, binding covenant the effect of which would be to assure the integrity of the Davidic Covenant and ultimately the line of the Messiah, for the one surviving son was the sole survivor in the line of David! Satan would have loved to snuff out Joash's life and void the Davidic Covenant that promised the Messiah! I live David Guzik's comment - One reason Athaliah was able to reign for six years was that no one knew any alternative. Many people live under the reign of Satan because they don’t really know there is a legitimate king ready to take reign in their life. Covenant (01285) berit/berith/beriyth means covenant, treaty, compact, agreement between two parties (first use in God's covenant with Noah - Ge 6:18, 9:9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17). As discussed more below beriyth describes a compact made by passing between pieces of flesh. Covenant is a solemn, binding arrangement between two parties and entails a variety of responsibilities, benefits and penalties depending on the specific covenant which is being studied. OT covenants were made between God and man (eg, God with Noah - Ge 6:18, with Abram - Ge 15:18) or between men (Abraham and Abimelech - Ge 21:27, Isaac and Abimelech - Ge 26:28, Jacob and Laban - Ge 31:44) (For summary of covenants see - Covenant in the Bible). ISBE says that "In essence a covenant is an agreement, but an agreement of a solemn and binding force. The early Semitic idea of a covenant was doubtless that which prevailed among the Arabs. This was primarily blood-brotherhood, in which two men became brothers by drinking each other’s blood. (ED: Now that sounds serious to me! See illustration in pagan culture) Covenant can be summarized as follows… (1) Between two parties (sometimes equal, other times superior to inferior) -- (a) nations -- (peace) treaty, alliance of friendship (b) individuals -- a pledge or agreement with mutual obligations to each other (c) monarch and subjects (2Sa 3:21, 5:3, 1Chr 11:3) -- a constitution (d) God and man -- Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenants. TWOT adds that…"Apart from blood ties the covenant was the way people of the ancient world formed wider relationships with each other. The accounts of the relationship between David and Jonathan are the only unequivocal mention of a compact between two individuals in the Old Testament (1Sa 18:3; 20:8; 23:18). It is spoken of as “a covenant of the Lord” because the Lord witnessed the transaction and protected the legal order." (2) Accompanied by (a) signs (also witnesses, memorials, shared meals) (b) sacrifices, (c) solemn, binding oaths -- sealing the relationship with promises of blessing for keeping the covenant and curses for breaking the covenant (d) Sometimes with written document on which the words of the covenant, its terms in the form of promises and stipulations were spelled out, witnessed to, signed and sealed. Behm (TDNT) notes that in ancient times There is no firmer guarantee of legal security peace or personal loyalty than the covenant (e.g., Amos 1:9). (3) Is depicted in the idiomatic phrase "make (cut) a covenant" in which there is was a blood sacrifice as part of the covenant ritual. Almost 100 years ago, Andrew Murray motivated by a waning understanding regarding the truth and power inherent in the Biblical truth of covenant wrote that… One of the words of Scripture, which is almost going out of fashion, is the word 'Covenant'. There was a time when it was the keynote of the theology and the Christian life of strong and holy men. We know how deep in Scotland it entered into the national life and thought. It made mighty men, to whom God, and His promise and power were wonderfully real. It will be found still to bring strength and purpose to those who will take the trouble to bring all their life (Ed: and their marriages) under control of the inspiring assurance that they are living in covenant with a God who has sworn faithfully to fulfill in them every promise He has given. (Two Covenants - Index - Andrew Murray) The majority of the the OT uses of beriyth are translated as covenant (275/285 uses) and the majority of these are translated into Greek using the word diatheke, which was a common technical word used in the Greco-Roman law to describe the settlement of an inheritance (i.e., a "last will and testament") and used in the NT to describe the "self-commitment, promises, and conditions by which [God] entered into relationship with man" (Friberg). Behold (02009) (hinneh) is an interjection meaning behold, look, now; if. "It is used often and expresses strong feelings, surprise, hope, expectation, certainty, thus giving vividness depending on its surrounding context." (Baker) Hinneh generally directs our mind to the text, imploring the reader to give it special attention. In short, the Spirit is trying to arrest our attention! And so hinneh is used as an exclamation of vivid immediacy (e.g., read Ge 6:13)! Hinneh is a marker used to enliven a narrative, to express a change a scene, to emphasize an idea, to call attention to a detail or an important fact or action that follows (Isa 65:17, Ge 17:20, 41:17). The first use of hinneh in Ge 1:29 and second in Ge 1:31 - "And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." Hinneh is oftn used in the idiom "Here I am" in Ge 22:1, 7,11 Ge 27:1,18, Ge 31:11, Ge 46:2 Ex 3:4 1Sa 3:4, 3:16, 12:3, 2Sa 1:7, Isa 52:6, Isa 58:9. Hinneh is used most often to point out people but also to point out things (Ge 31:41, 17:4). God uses hinneh to grab man's attention before He brings destruction (Ge 6:13, 17). God uses hinneh when He establishes covenants (Ge 9:9, 15:12, 17 [when Jehovah cut the Abrahamic covenant], Ge 17:4, cp Ge 28:13, 15), when He provided a sacrificial substitute for Isaac (foreshadowing His giving us His only Son!) (Ge 22:13). Hinneh marks the "chance (The Providence of God)" arrival of Boaz at the field where Ruth was gleaning (Ru 2:4-read about this "chance romance" - Indeed, "Behold!"). Hinneh is used to announce the Lord’s sending of a child as a sign and a prophecy of Immanuel-Emmanuel, the Messiah (Isa. 7:14+). In fact W E Vine says that it is notable that when behold (hinneh) is used in Isaiah, it always introduces something relating to future circumstances.
2 Crônicas 23
Utley - This limiting of access was for two purposes. It renewed the sanctity of the temple courts (i.e., Num. 1:15; 3:10,38; 18:7). It excluded any followers of Athaliah to enter. 2 Chronicles 23:7 “The Levites will surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever enters the house, let him be killed. Thus be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.” the Levites: 2Ki 11:8,9 whoever: Ex 19:12,13 21:14 Nu 3:10,38 ARMED LEVITES SURROUND KING The Levites will surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever enters the house, let him be killed. Thus be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out = Parallel in 2Ki 11:8+. The king will be surrounded at all times. When I was in Israel on the Wailing Wall, Benjamin Netanyahu came to the wall and I tried taking pictures of him. When my pictures came back, every picture was of an Israeli soldier's head! Not one shot showed Netanyahu's head because he was completely surrounded to prevent a sniper from taking a shot at him. 2 Chronicles 23:8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss any of the divisions. the Levites: 2Ki 11:9 the courses: 1Ch 24:1-26:32 Parallel Passage: 2Ki 11:9+ So the captains of hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. LEVITES OBEY JEHOIADA'S INSTRUCTIONS So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss any of the divisions- Jehoiada's instructions are followed to a "T." No one dismissed in effect "doubled" the forces available should Athaliah get wind and try to attack. Bob Utley - "did not dismiss any of the divisions" This accumulation of Levites in the temple area had to be done secretly over time, so as not to cause Athaliah or her guards to notice. 2 Chronicles 23:9 Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had been King David’s, which were in the house of God. spears: 1Sa 21:9 2Sa 8:7 which were in the house of God: When the soldier retired from the tumults of war to the bosom of his family, he frequently hung up his arms in the temple, as a grateful acknowledgment of the protection he had received, and of the victories he had won. It is highly probable, therefore, that the arms of David which Jehoiada delivered to the captains of hundreds, "which were in the house of God," were laid up in the tabernacle by David when he resigned the command of his armies to his generals; and there is reason to believe that his conduct, in this respect, was followed by many of his companions in arms. DAVID'S WEAPONS USED TO PROTECT DAVIDIC COVENANT! Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had been King David’s, which were in the house of God - There is a bit of irony in that the weapons of David were used to protect the last living heir of the Davidic Covenant. There is a second subtle irony in that Joash was protected with weapons David had taken from the Arameans, the very ones would would would Joash and defeat Judah after Joash began worshipping idols! 2 Sam. 8:7 says "David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer (ARAMEAN) and brought them to Jerusalem." Bob Utley - Jehoiada passed out the weapons that were kept in the temple. David's shields of gold ‒ 2 Sam. 8:7 Solomon's shields of gold ‒ 1Kgs. 10:16-17; 14:26-27; 2 Chr. 9:16 Shishak of Egypt took Solomon's shields of gold and Rehoboam replaced them with bronze ones, 2 Chr. 12:9-10 Raymond Dillard adds that "It was appropriate that the weapons used to restore rule to a descendant of David had belonged to David." John Walton - weapons from the temple. It is not certain where these weapons were stored, as there is no mention of a temple armory in Scripture. Likely these are ceremonial pieces used by the king in processionals and kept on display. It is possible that they also included important weapons that had been captured in battle or taken as tribute. The Hebrew terms used for the weapons are rare. The Hebrew term that the NIV translates as “small shield” was long obscure but is now recognized as a technical term borrowed from Aramaic referring to a bow case. Ceremonial bow cases are pictured in later Persian reliefs. (IVP Background Commentary - OT - page 445) 2 Chronicles 23:10 He stationed all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. side of the house: Heb. shoulder of the house, 2Ki 11:11 along by: 2Ch 6:12 Ex 40:6 Parallel Passage: 2Ki 11:11+ The guards stood each with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. TEMPLE IS GUARDED ON THE RIGHT & LEFT SIDES He stationed all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king - Again we see the emphasis on high security to assure there is no assassination of Joash. It is interesting to me that God's sovereignty was in play (because He would never let the line of David die out) but there is also human responsibility (Jehoiada's careful plan). This reminds me of Psalm 127:1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain." In this case we can be certain Yahweh was on guard! (See "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible" ) See ALTAR OF SACRIFICE. Walton - The palace guard apparently surrounded the palace on all sides and protected the route from the palace to the temple. From its description in 1 Kings, the temple of Solomon appears to have been enclosed in the larger palace complex. Very little is known of the layout of the temple precinct and palace complex of this time.(IVP Background Commentary - OT - page 445) 2 Chronicles 23:11 Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, “Long live the king!” They brought: 2Ch 22:11 2Ki 11:12 put upon: 2Sa 1:10 Ps 21:3 89:39 132:18 Heb 2:9 Jas 1:12 2:5 Rev 4:4,10 Rev 5:10 19:12 the testimony: Ex 25:16 31:18 De 17:18-20 Ps 2:10-12 78:5 Isa 8:16,20 49:23 anointed him: 1Sa 10:1 2Sa 5:3 1Ki 1:39 Ps 89:20 Ac 4:26,27 God save the king: Heb. Let the king live, 1Sa 10:24 2Sa 16:16 1Ki 1:34 Mt 21:9 Parallel Passage: 2Ki 11:12+ Then he brought the king’s son out and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!” JOASH CROWNED & GIVEN THE TESTIMONY Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, “Long live the king! - See 2Sa 10:24; 1Ki 1:25,34,39 cry of "Long live the king." (lit. "may the king live"). Don't miss who anointed Joash! The sons of Jehoiada, one of whom would have been Zechariah which later prophesies against Joash and Judah and was "anointed" not with oil but with stones! (2Ch 24:20, 21+) And without a doubt Joash and Zechariah most probably played together and ate together when they were young boys. This is an incredibly sad testimony on the drift into depravity of King Joash! Deuteronomy 17:18-20+ says “Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. “It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God (CLEARLY SOMETHING JOASH FAILED TO DO!), by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel." 🙏 THOUGHT - Clearly King Joash's heart had become extremely hardened which is what persistent, unrepentant sin will do to you. The writer of Hebrews gives ALL of us an antidote and a warning regarding the power of sin calling on (more accurately commanding) believers to "But encourage (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that (term of purpose - of encouraging) none of you will be hardened (skleruno - passive voice = by outside force in this case SIN) by the deceitfulness (apate) of sin (hamartia)." (Hebrews 3:13+). Is there someone the Spirit is prompting you to contact today so you can encourage them? Do you need to reach out to your brethren for a healthy dose of encouragement? August Konkel: The coronation affirms the commitment of the king to lead the people according to the book of the covenant, which was to be kept at his side. This commitment obligates the people be loyal to the new king. . . The covenant had three aspects: a vow between God and the king, God and the people, and the king with the people. The Chronicler expresses this as a vow between priest, king, and people, together they vow to be the people of the Lord. The first vow included the eradication of Baal worship. The institution of temple worship according to the arrangements made by David is a way of emphasizing the restoration of the Davidic rule. Raymond Dillard: The copy of the covenant given to Jehoiada was probably the arrangement agreed to in 2Ch 23:3; alternatively it could be a copy of the law, received from the hands of a priest, as envisioned in Deut 17:18. If it represented a document somewhat curbing royal authority in favor of the temple, it may have set the stage for the disagreement between Joash and Jehoiada in 2Ch 24:4–12. Frederick Mabie: While it is unclear whether this is a copy of the law (cf. Dt 17:18-20) or another significant document or symbol of the (Davidic or Mosaic) covenant, the emphasis is that the enthronement of Joash is meant to be in accord with God’s Word and that his subsequent reign should likewise be faithful to covenantal stipulations. Mark Boda: The rituals associated with the installation of a king appear to have included: (1) gathering at a significant place; (2) assembling leading royal, sacred, military, and secular officials as well as the populace; (3) anointing the royal figure with oil (SEE "ANOINTING" IN THE BIBLE); (4) blowing the trumpet; and (5) people declaring, “Long live the king.” The liturgy used for such occasions is never provided, but many have suggested that Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 may preserve parts of this liturgy. According to 2 Kings 11:14, the Temple had become the customary place for the coronation of the king in Israel, and since this location was under Jehoiada’s control, he could easily manipulate the situation. Walton - testimony - This appears to be a document that frames a constitution or charter of some sort. One possibility is that it details the people’s subordination to the king and the king’s subordination to the Lord. In Egypt the coronation ceremony involved a proclamation by the god Thoth that gave the official approval of the gods for the king’s accession. The theme of a covenant between king, subject people and god can also be found in the Hittite annals of the late second millennium B.C. and Assyrian vassal loyalty oaths during the mid-first millennium B.C. In Assyrian records there is a ceremony where Esarhaddon of Assyria made a binding covenant with the people of Assyria to be loyal to his successor, Ashurbanipal. What is different in Scripture is the mention of a document that was physically handed over to the king, which is not mentioned in the extrafbiblical sources. Anointing. The acts here are regular features of the accession ritual of the kings of Israel and Judah. First, the ram’s horn was blown to signify the people’s recognition and submission to the new king. The phrase “long live the king” is attested in a number of places in the historical books of Scripture and in the enthronement psalms (47, 93, 96, 97, 99). It was used after the accession of the king to the throne. The anointing of the king was also a symbolic gesture of the divine favor of the king before Yahweh. For more information on anointing see comment on 1 Samuel 16:1.(IVP Background Commentary - OT - page 445) F B
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Utley - The fact there was a temple and priesthood of Ba'al in Jerusalem shows the level of idolatry that "the house of Ahab" had caused in Judah (especially Jezebel and Athaliah). Josephus, Antiq. 9.7.4., says Athaliah ran to the temple of Ba'al which she and her husband had built in Jerusalem. Bob Utley - "the house of Baal" Ahab had built a house (temple) for Ba'al in the capital city of Samaria (cf. 1 Kgs. 16:32; 2 Kgs. 10:21,26,27). Since Ahab had married the daughter of the king of Tyre, Ethbaal, this was probably a temple to Ba'al Melqart. But this house of Ba'al was in Jerusalem. The influence of Ahab and Jezebel had polluted Judah also. It must have been next to Solomon's temple or even on its grounds (cf. v. 18). J. Barton Payne: They didn’t stop at destroying the building itself; they went on to destroy both the sacred objects dedicated to Baal and to kill Mattan the priest of Baal. The execution of “Mattan the priest of Baal” carried out the requirement of God’s Word directed against those who should lead others into false religion (Dt 13:5-10+). (See The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Edition- Page 50) Walton - house of Baal. This is the only reference to the “House of Baal” in Jerusalem (parallel to 2 Kings 11:18). Thus its location can only be a source of speculation. It may have been a private shrine in the vicinity of the palace. There is, however, a large structure excavated at Ramat Rahel, two miles south of Jerusalem, that has similarities to the palace at Samaria. Its location compares to the location of the Baal Temple of Samaria, which was outside the acropolis of the city. The reaction of the populace to the destruction of the temple of Baal is similar in nature to the purge orchestrated by Jehu some years earlier. All evidences of the previous regime were eliminated. In New Kingdom Egypt, Thutmose III attempted to destroy all vestiges of the reign of Hatshepsut, while Horemheb (and others) did the same to the Aton kings.(IVP Background Commentary - OT - page 444) 🙏 THOUGHT - "The second thing the Judeans got rid of was the idolatrous apparatus — the altar and the images. Again, we need to apply this personally, in our lives, our homes, and the businesses and other institutions we control. Does the machinery or apparatus of idolatry exist in your home? If you worship the God of entertainment, the apparatus you use is a big TV and a powerful sound system. If you worship the God of convenience, the apparatus with which you do it may be a big smartphone or an Amazon Echo. If you worship the god of human relationships, the apparatus with which you do it may be clothes, makeup, and other image and status artifacts. If you worship the god of prosperity, the apparatus may be your tools or your bank accounts. If you worship the God of the Bible, but reduced to a size and level you can control, you may have images of God and Jesus in your house. You may not be able to get rid of certain of these different apparatuses of idolatry, and some of them have legitimate uses. But brothers and sisters, if you are confirmed money-worshipper you may need to severely curtail your bank account. If you are a food-worshipper you may need to keep an empty fridge. If you are an images-of-Christ worshipper, you may need to get rid of your idolatrous pictures." (Caleb Nelson) Baal (proper noun)(01168) ba'al refers to the pagan god who was called by the name "Baal". Elijah contended with and exterminated the prophets of Baal (1 Ki 18:18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 40). One of the more incredible mentions of Baal is Jehu's eradication of them from the northern kingdom (see 2 Ki 10:18-28). Before God would use Gideon to deliver His people from the Moabites, He first had him tear down his father's backyard altar to Baal (Jdg 6:25, 28, 30-31+). As a result Gideon was named Jerrubball ("Let Baal contend against him" - Jdg 6:32+). Under Gideon Israel was set free from Moabite oppression, but apparently they people were not set free from the "seed" of Baal worship in their hearts for "Then it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the sons of Israel again played the harlot (SPIRITUAL ADULTERY!) with the Baals, and made Baal-berith their god" (Jdg 8:33+)! Wow! Our hearts are more deceitful than all else and are desperately sick (Jer 17:9)! In 1 Sa 7:4 we see that "Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone" but they must have backslide because we see their cry in 1 Sam 12:10! Beware of idols (1Co 10:14+). Idols need to be radically uprooted lest they revive and return! 2 Chronicles 23:18 Moreover, Jehoiada placed the offices of the house of the LORD under the authority of the Levitical priests, whom David had assigned over 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 singing according to the order of David. whom David: 1Ch 23:1-24:31 as it is written: Nu 28:1-31 by David: Heb. by the hands of David, 2Ch 29:25 1Ch 25:1-31 JEHOIADA PUTS GOD'S HOUSE IN ORDER Moreover, Jehoiada placed the offices of the house of the LORD under the authority of the Levitical priests, whom David had assigned over 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 singing according to the order of David. - There is no parallel in 2 Kings 12. Jehoiada restored order to the temple, following the plans outlined years before by David. He made sure that sacrifices would be conducted. Believer's Study Bible - The role of David in establishing the religious services of the house of the Lord is underscored here. The reference to the Torah as "the Law of Moses" indicates the numerous titles ascribed to God's Word in the O.T. (cf. 17:6-9, note; 1 Chr. 29:29, note). 2 Chronicles 23:19 He stationed the gatekeepers of the house of the LORD, so that no one would enter who was in any way unclean. gatekeepers: 1Ch 9:23,24 26:1-32 HOUSE OF THE LORD TO BE KEPT CLEAN He stationed the gatekeepers of the house of the LORD, so that no one would enter who was in any way unclean gatekeepers - This is not in 2 Kings 12.
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Utley - Notice the different groups of Judean society -captains ‒ military, nobles ‒ wealthy, rulers of the people ‒ common people, people of the land ‒ poor people or parallel to common people. The whole point is that all Judean society supported the coup and the Davidic child king. Andrew Hill: The processional leading Joash from the temple to the palace is symbolic, because in one sense Yahweh is returning to the throne of Judah along with the Davidic descendant. Frederick Mabie: As the final step of the king’s investiture ceremony and celebration, the whole community participates in a procession to restore the new king on the throne of David in the royal palace. The full gamut of participants in this event (military, noblemen, governors, citizenry, priests) reflects the widespread support for the reforms enacted by the priest Jehoiada, culminating in the reign of Joash. Walton - Jerusalem geography. The temple mount was at the highest point on the northern end of the City of David. The palace was situated just south of (and probably adjoining) the temple complex. Immediately southeast was the Kidron Valley, which separated the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. Southwest of the City of David was the Ben Hinnom Valley. (IVP Background Commentary - OT - page 444) 2 Chronicles 23:21 So all of the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword. 2Ki 11:20 Ps 58:10,11 Pr 11:10 Rev 18:20 19:1-4 Parallel Passage: 2Ki 11:20+ So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king’s house. JOYFUL JUDAH QUIET CITY So all of the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. Clearly the people had been silenced, thus they were not mourning but rejoicning. Her removal brought relief, not grief. n Scripture, when people rejoice at a ruler’s fall, it exposes the ruler’s true character. The Hebrew idea of quiet is undisturbed, settled, at rest — not eerie silence. Did you see the author's interesting contrast - people rejoiced but city quiet. The people had joy on the inside because there was peace on the outside (in Judah). And finally, peace did not come by compromise, but by removing evil. When illegitimate, idolatrous power was removed and God’s rightful king restored, the people rejoiced inwardly and the city rested outwardly. This reminds me of Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever." For (term of explanation). What's it explaining and what is the explanation? They had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king’s house - In the Wizard of Oz there is a song at the end which sings "Ding, dong, the wicked witch is dead." The spiriti of Jezebel as been definitively snuffed out with her daughter's death. The murderous usurper who had slaughtered the royal heirs is herself slaughtered. Payday someday had come for her. This proverb proved true "When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting. (Pr 11:10) Peter Wallace: Verse 21 brings to fulfillment the Sabbath-theme of the chapter. . . There is joy and rest and peace, now that Athaliah is gone. A sabbath-rest comes to the people of God, because the foul seed of Ahab is no more. J.A. Thompson: Athaliah’s interregnum was now over. In a sense there never was an interruption of Davidic kingship because Joash was living throughout that sad period even if formally another, a usurper, was on the throne. Andrew Hill: Typically, the Chronicler employs the expression the people “rejoiced” (smh) to signify the fact that the will of God is now being observed (2Ch 23:21; cf. 1 Chron. 29:9; 2 Chron. 15:15; 29:36). A second idiom using the word “quiet” (sqt) is often found in Chronicles to denote divine blessing on those who are obedient to God’s word (cf. 1Ch 4:40; 22:9; 2Ch 13:22; 14:4-5). The biblical adages hold true: The violence of the wicked returns to them (Ps 7:15-16; Pr 26:27; Eccl. 10:8), and the judgment of the Lord leads to “quietness” in the land (Ps. 76:8). F B