2 Chronicles 23

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:4

The first thing that is to be observed is the distinct and repeated mention of the Levites, as those on whom the critical and onerous service that came of Jehoiada's resolution was devolved, while the parallel does not so much as mention them. It may next be noted that our first and second verses state the part that "the captains of hundreds" were called to perform in collecting the requisite number of Levites from the provincial cities of Judah. And once more it may be noted that whereas,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:5

A third part … at the king's house . It seems impossible to refer this to the royal palace, as some suppose from 2 Chronicles 23:19 in the parallel. It probably designates the place where the child had been living in concealment. This portion of the description appears to correspond with the last clause of 2 Chronicles 23:5 in the parallel. At the gate of the foundation . The Hebrew text here is יְסוֹד ( Exodus 29:12 ; Le Exodus 4:7 ; Habakkuk 3:13 ); in the parallel סוּר ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:6

But let none come … save the priests . Through this little chink we get some light confirmatory of the concurrent jurisdiction of the account in the parallel The express caution of this clause shows that there were others about, and others officiating, beside the Levites, who only have been mentioned hitherto in our text, except under the most generic designation (as before, so again in last clause of this verse) of "all the people." The last clause of this verse may cover the contents... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:7

And the Levites shall compass the king . The matter of 2 Chronicles 23:8 in the parallel suggests nothing inconsistent with the express mention of the Levites here, but rather that the word "Levites" is desiderated there, and its significance perhaps accidentally overlooked, when the writer of Kings was using the original authorities and sources of his history. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:8

All Judah ; i.e. all those of Judah's provincial cities who had been honoured with summons to join in this great and solemn enterprise. Dismissed not the courses ; i.e. the provincial Levites cooperated with the regulars of Jerusalem. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:9

Shields … King David's … in the house of God . Some think these may have been the shields of gold that King David took from the servants of Hadadezer ( 2 Samuel 8:7 , 2 Samuel 8:11 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:10

All the people; i.e; again, all those, not being Levites and priests, who had been trusted to assist. The parallel ( 2 Chronicles 23:11 ) summarizes them under the name the guard. It may be just noted, in passing, that, while the Hebrew text has in both places "shoulder," i.e. for the "side" of this verse, and the "corner" of the parallel, the Revised Version has harmonized the rendering, electing the rendering side. From the right side of the temple to the left side. This is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:11

Then they brought out . The parallel ( 2 Chronicles 23:12 ) has, "he brought out," etc. The last clause of our verse harmonizes even this simple point, indicating that the "they" designates "Jehoiada and his sons;" of which group Jehoiada himself was, of course, the greatest part. It will be noted that it is not said from what exact place Joash was brought out. Put upon him the crown and … the testimony. It is quite unnecessary, at any rate, to suppose that the testimony, as well as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:11-15

Sin surprised at its rapture. The success of this revolution, so long prepared and so admirably accomplished by Jehoiada, involved the ruin of one "wicked woman" ( 2 Chronicles 24:7 ). It was inevitable that Athaliah must perish; here we have the account of her fall. We have before us— I. SIN SURPRISED AT ITS OWN FAILURE . This coup d'etat evidently came upon Athaliah with surprise. The twelfth verse describes the action of one that is both astonished and alarmed, who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:12

When Athaliah heard the noise . The parallel ( 2 Kings 11:13-16 ) shows only two differences of any noteworthiness, and these will come under notice next verse. The noise ; Hebrew, the voice; i.e. no doubt the voices of the people. Praising . The Hebrew is the piel participle; our corresponding phrase would be, "singing out the praises of the king," i.e. not any personal praises, but such as the cries of "Long live the king!" or, as our Authorized Version has it, "God save the king... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:11-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 23:12

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