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Bible > 2 Chronicles > Chapter 23 > Verse 3

◄ 2 Chronicles 23:3 ►

New International Version
the whole assembly made a covenant with the king at the temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, “The king’s son shall reign, as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.

New Living Translation
They all gathered at the Temple of God, where they made a solemn pact with Joash, the young king. Jehoiada said to them, “Here is the king’s son! The time has come for him to reign! The LORD has promised that a descendant of David will be our king.

English Standard Version
And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son! Let him reign, as the LORD spoke concerning the sons of David.

Berean Standard Bible
the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. “Behold, the king’s son!” said Jehoiada. “He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.

King James Bible
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.

New King James Version
Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD has said of the sons of David.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the assembly cut a covenant with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in God’s temple. Jehoiada said to them, “Here is the king’s son! He will reign, just as the LORD promised concerning David’s sons.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in God’s temple. Jehoiada said to them, “Here is the king’s son! He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning David’s sons.

American Standard Version
And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as Jehovah hath spoken concerning the sons of David.

Contemporary English Version
and gathered at the temple, where they agreed to help Joash. Jehoiada said to them: Joash will be our next king, because long ago the LORD promised that one of David's descendants would always be king.

English Revised Version
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath spoken concerning the sons of David.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The whole assembly made an agreement with the king in God's temple. Then Jehoiada said to them, "Here is the king's son. He should be king, as the LORD said about David's descendants.

Good News Translation
They all gathered in the Temple, and there they made a covenant with Joash, the king's son. Jehoiada said to them, "Here is the son of the late king. He is now to be king, as the LORD promised that King David's descendants would be.

International Standard Version
Everybody went to Jerusalem, and the whole group made a covenant with the king in God's Temple, where Jehoiada addressed them: "Look! The king's son is going to rule, just as the LORD promised David's descendants.

NET Bible
and the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, "The king's son will rule, just as the LORD promised David's descendants.

New Heart English Bible
All the assembly made a covenant in the house of God with the king. And he showed them the king's son. And he said to them, "Look, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD has spoken concerning the descendants of David.

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. “Behold, the king’s son!” said Jehoiada. “He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.

World English Bible
All the assembly made a covenant with the king in God’s house. Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son must reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and all the assembly make a covenant in the house of God with the king, and he says to them, “Behold, the son of the king reigns, as YHWH spoke concerning the sons of David.

Young's Literal Translation
and all the assembly make a covenant in the house of God with the king, and he saith to them, 'Lo, the son of the king doth reign, as Jehovah spake concerning the sons of David.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the convocation will cut out a covenant in the house of God with the king. And he will say to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as Jehovah spake concerning the sons of David.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the multitude made a covenant with the king in the house of God: and Joiada said to them: Behold the king's son shall reign, as the Lord hath said of the sons of David.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the entire multitude formed a pact with the king, in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them: “Behold, the son of the king shall reign, just as the Lord has said concerning the sons of David.

New American Bible
The whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them: “Here is the king’s son who must reign, as the LORD promised concerning the sons of David.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them, “Here is the king’s son! Let him reign, as the LORD promised concerning the sons of David.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And all the congregation made a covenant in the presence of the king in the house of the LORD. And Jehoiadah said to them. Behold, the king's son shall reign over you, as the LORD has spoken to David his servant.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the people swore with oaths in the house of LORD JEHOVAH before the King, and he said to them: “Behold, he is son of the King! He shall reign over you just as LORD JEHOVAH spoke with David his Servant.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them: 'Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath spoken concerning the sons of David.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and all the congregation of Juda made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he shewed them the king's son, and said to them, Lo, let the king's son reign, as the Lord said concerning the house of David.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Joash Anointed King in Judah
…2So they went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah and the heads of the families of Israel. And when they came to Jerusalem, 3the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. “Behold, the king’s son!” said Jehoiada. “He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David. 4This is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath shall keep watch at the doors,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 11:17
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.

2 Samuel 5:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

1 Kings 1:39
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”

1 Samuel 10:24
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

1 Samuel 11:14-15
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.

2 Samuel 2:4
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”

2 Samuel 3:21
Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.

2 Samuel 5:1-2
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

1 Kings 1:34
There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

1 Kings 1:45
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there with rejoicing that rings out in the city. That is the noise you hear.

2 Kings 11:12
Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!”

2 Kings 11:4
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

2 Kings 11:9
So the commanders of hundreds did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest.

2 Kings 11:19
He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD and entered the royal palace by way of the Gate of the Guards. Then Joash took his seat on the royal throne,

2 Chronicles 21:7
Yet the LORD was unwilling to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant He had made with David, and since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

2 Chronicles 23:16
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.

2 Samuel 5:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

2 Kings 11:17
And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.

as the Lord

2 Chronicles 6:16
Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.

2 Chronicles 7:18
Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.

2 Chronicles 21:7
Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

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2 Chronicles 23

1. Jehoiada, having set things in order, makes joash king
12. Athaliah is slain
16. Jehoiada restores the worship of God

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God.
This phrase highlights the collective action of the people of Judah, signifying unity and commitment to a divinely ordained purpose. The "house of God" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and national identity for the Israelites. Making a covenant in this sacred space underscores the solemnity and religious significance of the event. Covenants in the Bible often involve promises or agreements made before God, indicating a binding and sacred commitment. This act reflects the people's desire to restore the Davidic line, aligning with God's covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, where God promises that David's descendants will rule Israel.

“Behold, the king’s son!” said Jehoiada.
Jehoiada, the high priest, plays a crucial role in this narrative as a leader and protector of the Davidic line. His declaration, "Behold, the king’s son!" is a public revelation of Joash, the rightful heir to the throne, who had been hidden from Athaliah's murderous purge. This moment is pivotal, as it marks the end of Athaliah's illegitimate rule and the restoration of the rightful king. The phrase echoes the biblical theme of God's faithfulness in preserving His promises, even when circumstances seem dire. Jehoiada's leadership and courage are instrumental in fulfilling God's plan, reminiscent of other biblical figures who act as deliverers or protectors, such as Moses or Esther.

“He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.”
This statement reaffirms the divine promise made to David regarding his lineage. The Davidic Covenant, found in 2 Samuel 7, assures that David's descendants will have an everlasting kingdom. This promise is central to the messianic hope in the Old Testament, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Son of David" in the New Testament (Matthew 1:1). The insistence that Joash "must reign" underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His word. It also highlights the importance of the Davidic line in God's redemptive plan, serving as a type of Christ, who reigns eternally as King. This moment in 2 Chronicles is a testament to God's providence and the unfolding of His divine plan through history.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jehoiada the Priest
A key figure in this chapter, Jehoiada orchestrates the covenant and the enthronement of Joash. His leadership is crucial in restoring the Davidic line.

2. Joash (Jehoash)
The young king who is the rightful heir to the throne of Judah, hidden in the temple for six years to protect him from Athaliah's murderous intent.

3. Athaliah
The usurping queen who had seized the throne of Judah and attempted to destroy the royal line of David.

4. The House of God (Temple)
The central place of worship and the setting for the covenant and the anointing of Joash as king.

5. The Covenant
A solemn agreement made by the assembly to recognize Joash as king, in accordance with God's promise to David.

Teaching Points

The Importance of God's Promises
God's promises are steadfast and reliable. The covenant with David is a testament to His faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire.

The Role of Godly Leadership
Jehoiada's leadership demonstrates the impact of godly influence in guiding a nation back to righteousness and fulfilling God's plans.

The Power of Covenant Community
The assembly's collective commitment to God's will shows the strength found in unity and shared purpose among believers.

Protection of the Innocent
Joash's preservation highlights God's providential care and the importance of protecting the vulnerable in society.

Restoration and Renewal
The enthronement of Joash symbolizes spiritual renewal and the restoration of rightful order, encouraging believers to seek God's restoration in their lives.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

What Does 2 Chronicles 23:3 Mean

The whole assembly made a covenant

The people did not act as scattered individuals; they stood as one body pledging themselves afresh to God’s revealed will.

• Corporate agreement echoes earlier renewals (Exodus 24:3; Joshua 24:24; 2 Chronicles 15:12).

• After six years of usurpation under Athaliah, unity was essential to restore righteousness (cf. Psalm 133:1).

• A covenant implies accountability; the nation bound itself to uphold and defend what God was doing through His chosen line.

With the king

Their pledge specifically embraced the boy-king Joash.

• Covenanting “with the king” recalls Israel’s agreement with David at Hebron (2 Samuel 5:3) and underscores rightful authority.

• By acknowledging Joash, the assembly rejected every rival claim—an act of obedience to God’s order (Romans 13:1 applied).

• The covenant also obligated Joash to rule in accordance with God’s law (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).

In the house of God

The setting was the temple, not a palace courtyard.

• Covenant-making in the sanctuary declared that the throne must stay under God’s rule (1 Chronicles 28:5-6).

• The venue contrasted sharply with Athaliah’s promotion of Baal worship (2 Chronicles 24:7).

• Meeting before the ark and altar evoked God’s abiding promises tied to both temple and dynasty (2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 8:15).

“Behold, the king’s son!”

Jehoiada’s exclamation pulled back the curtain on the hidden heir.

• For six dangerous years Joash had been concealed (2 Kings 11:2-3). Revealing him now validated the covert preservation of David’s line.

• The cry mirrors prophetic expectation: God always has a “son of David” ready (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32).

• It stirred faith and courage in the people; seeing the rightful heir made rebellion against tyranny achievable.

He must reign

Jehoiada spoke necessity, not preference.

• The verb “must” points to divine compulsion; human intrigue cannot annul God’s decree (Psalm 2:6; 1 Corinthians 15:25).

• The statement guarded Joash’s throne against future challenges—he was not merely allowed to reign; he was required to reign.

• For believers today it reminds us that Christ, the greater Son, also “must reign” until every enemy is subdued (Revelation 11:15).

Just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David

Everything hinges on God’s covenant faithfulness.

• The wording reaches back to the unconditional Davidic promise (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14).

• Psalm 89:3-4 and Jeremiah 33:17 further affirm that David will never lack a man to sit on the throne.

• Jehoiada read current events through the lens of Scripture, teaching us to interpret history by God’s promises, not by appearances.

summary

2 Chronicles 23:3 records a decisive moment when God’s people, standing in His temple, bound themselves to His chosen king because His word demanded it. Their united covenant, the public unveiling of the rightful heir, and the clear appeal to the Davidic promise all demonstrate that God’s plans cannot be thwarted. What He pledges, He performs; therefore, His people can act boldly, worship faithfully, and trust completely.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) And all the congregation.--Of the assembled Levites and family chiefs, as well as the royal guard.

Made a covenant with the king.--Comp. 2Kings 11:4 : "And he made a covenant for them," i.e., imposed a compact on them, made them swear fidelity to the young prince. (Comp. also 2Samuel 3:21; 2Samuel 5:3.)

The king's son shall reign.--Or, Behold the king's son! Let him be king.

As the Lord hath said.--Spake concerning the sons of David, in the oracle delivered by the prophet Nathan (2Samuel 7:4-17). . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - All the congregation; i.e. all who have been mentioned in vers. 1 and 2; for so the parallel makes plain. Made a covenant. This was the second wider and more embracing covenant. This covenant is between all the gathered representatives and the young king, Jehoiada no doubt putting all things into shape. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign. The he is Jehoiada, as of course. In view of the last clause of ver. 4 - in the parallel, "Jehoiada showed them the king's son " - the likelier rendering of our text here is, Behold the king's son; he shall reign, as, etc. As the Lord hath said of the sons of David (see 2 Chronicles 6:16; 2 Chronicles 7:18; 2 Samuel 7:12; 1 Kings 2:4; 1 Kings 9:5). The hereditary nature of the monarchy (2 Samuel 7.), pervaded ever by the spirit of the covenant, is evidently glanced at. It is probable that the existence of Joash was news to those to whom Jehoiada, as the parallel has it, "showed... the king's son," so that double significance lies in the word "showed."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

the whole
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

assembly
הַקָּהָ֥ל (haq·qā·hāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6951: Assembly, convocation, congregation

made
וַיִּכְרֹ֨ת (way·yiḵ·rōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

a covenant
בְּרִ֛ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the king
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

in the house
בְּבֵ֥ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

“Behold,
הִנֵּ֤ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

the king's
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

son!”
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

said Jehoiada.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“He must reign,
יִמְלֹ֔ךְ (yim·lōḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

promised
דִּבֶּ֥ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

concerning
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the descendants
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of David.
דָוִֽיד׃ (ḏā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

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OT History: 2 Chronicles 23:3 All the assembly made a covenant (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)

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⇱ 2 Chronicles 23:3 the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. "Behold, the king's son!" said Jehoiada. "He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.