2 Chronicles 23
by Pastor David Groendyk

If Athaliah and her wicked counselors were the downfall of Ahaziah, then it is the heroics of the brave, godly counselors Jehoshabeath and Jehoiada overseeing Joash that save the nation of Judah. The little infant that was hidden away from danger in the previous chapter is now unveiled as the rightful king of Judah. For whatever reason, Jehoiada decides that this is the opportune time to bring Joash forward. Perhaps, as one commentator suggests the text indicates, the popular support for Queen Athaliah has waned, or maybe it’s never even been there to begin with. Regardless, the planning was meticulous and strategic. Jehoiada plans for the coronation to happen at the time when the guard changed at the temple, which would allow the most armed men to be in the temple area at one time without raising much suspicion. Everything goes off without a hitch, Athaliah is put to death, and Joash is crowned.

More than just being a successful coup to overthrow a bad queen, this chapter shows us that the covenant of God is being renewed (v. 16). This is a coup that re-established the proper heir of David reigning on the throne, and it was led by a godly priest of Yahweh. The Chronicler also highlights one important piece of the story that the author of 2 Kings 11 leaves out: the Levites (i.e., assistants to the priests) were central members of the army who led the coronation procession (v. 2). The Levites were charged with and did exactly what Levites were supposed to do. According to Numbers 3:5–8, the role of the Levites was to guard the tabernacle/temple from unauthorized entry so that the tabernacle/temple wouldn’t be defiled and so that the unauthorized enterer would not die. That is exactly what we find these Levites doing in verse 6 and verse 19. Moreover, they killed the priests of Baal, they destroyed the idols of Baal, they began offering the correct burnt offerings again, and they sang the songs of Yahweh again (vv. 17–18). The proper king, the proper sacrifices, the proper priests, and the proper worship are re-instituted in Judah. Although the nation had strayed from God for a couple of generations (and will do so again later), God shows his unwavering commitment to his people, draws them back to himself, and makes life good again. May we, likewise, never stop coming back to our true King and High Priest, Jesus Christ, as we go through the ups and downs, backslidings and peaks, of the Christian life, and may we rest in God’s own steadfast commitment to us to never leave us or forsake us.