Study notes

2 Chronicles 23

Introducing 2 ChroniclesWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

21:4–24:27 Section

Neither Jehoram nor Ahaziah led the southern kingdom the way kings were supposed to. Elijah’s letter to Jehoram made something very clear. God brought judgement against kings who didn’t worship God and follow the Law of Moses.

Yet God had promised to keep the lamp of David’s kingdom burning brightly. This meant that God didn’t want David’s family line to be destroyed. He wanted a son from David’s family line to rule as king for ever. God didn’t allow Athaliah to kill everyone in David’s family line who could be king.

God used Jehosheba and Jehoiada to save Joash. Jehoiada made sure that the Law of Moses was followed. He made sure that the Levites did their duties in the temple. They did them the way that David had appointed them to do.

When David was king, leaders had given very freely for the temple to be built. Under Joash, officials and people brought money and gave it freely. They did this so that the temple could be repaired. The king, people, priests and Levites once again worshipped God in the temple.

But when he was older Joash stopped worshipping God in the temple. He also stopped listening to wise advisors and to messages from God. He had Jehoiada’s son Zechariah killed and was held responsible for this sin. A very small army from Aram did a lot of harm to Judah and Jerusalem. God allowed this to happen as judgement against Joash.

23:1–3

Jehoiada made an agreement with important military officers. They gained wide support from the Levites and clan leaders. The people's agreement with Joash was clear in Jehoiada's statement that the king's son must become king.

23:4–6

The best time for the coup was during the temple guard change. This was when many people moved around. One-third of the guards started their shifts. They were stationed in three places to do their usual tasks and to watch for any palace activity. The rest of the armed force stayed in the Lord’s temple courtyards, forming a human wall to protect the king.

23:6–7

Only the priests and Levites on duty could enter the temple, so the Levites had to stop others from entering.

23:11

When Joash, who was seven years old, was anointed and crowned king, he received a copy of the law, as required by the law (see Deuteronomy 17:18–20).

23:16–17

The agreement included promises between the king and the people, between the Lord and the king, and between the Lord and the people. The promises with the Lord involved stopping the worship of Baal.

23:18–19

Jehoiada the priest helped Joash become king, restoring David's dynasty and bringing back temple worship as David instructed.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources