February 2, 2003
This chapter is the same as 2 Kings 11. Here is Gill's introduction to that chapter:
This chapter relates how that Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, being hid and preserved, when his grandmother murdered all the seed royal, after six years was produced, #2Ki 11:1-3, when Jehoiada the priest set a sufficient guard about him, and the king's house, and anointed him king, #2Ki 11:4-12, and Athaliah his grandmother, who had reigned six years, was put to death by the order of the priest, #2Ki 10:13-16, and then a covenant was made between the Lord, and the king, and the people, and between the king and the people; and he was placed on the throne, to the satisfaction of the people, and the quiet thereof, #2Ki 10:17-21.
Athaliah destroyeth all the royal family: only Joash escapeth; is hid six years in the house of God, #2Ki 11:1-3. Jehoiada, giving order to the captains, in the seventh year anointeth him king, #2Ki 11:4-12. Athaliah is slain, #2Ki 11:13-16. The covenant is renewed between God, the king, and the people; and Baal's worship is destroyed: the king is set on his throne, #2Ki 11:17-21. (Pool on 2 Kings 11.)
Pool on 2 Chronicles 23:
Jehoiada maketh Joash king, #2Ch 23:1-11. Athaliah is slain, #2Ch 23:12-15. The pure worship of God is restored, #2Ch 23:16-21.
V. 1, First, Jehoiada, the priest, strengthened himself so he could lead Judah, God's people, back to God.
V. 4, Second, Jehoiada used his power and authority to assign people to serve in their places of responsibility. Every man was to do his part to protect the rightful king.
V. 6, Third, Jehoiada used his power and authority to cause them, among other things, to protect the house of God.
V. 7 Forth, Jehoiada used his power and authority to protect godly leaders.
V. 9, Fifth, Jehoiada used his power and authority to arm God's people to protect God's kingdom.
Also, war, both spiritual and physical, is a religious function.
9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
At this point, the civil authority, king, had been separated from the religious authority, the priesthood. But notice here from where the weapons of warfare came — out of the temple. The church building was the armory, and using the weapons provided out of the house of God, the priests established the rightful king, Joash.
Today, however,
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10.)
Thus the church must provide God's people with the proper weapons to fight an effective warfare in every area of life and thought.
V. 11, Sixth, Jehoiada used his power and authority to establish others; not just any other, but God's man.
The man of God established the king here. However, Joash was the rightful king, and the grandmother, Athaliah, was the usurper. Our job is to use the weapons we are equipped with, overthrow the usurper, the devil, and establish the King in not only our hearts, but into every area of our influence.
V. 14, Seventh, Jehoiada used his power and authority to protect God's house.
V. 15, Eighth, Jehoiada used his power and authority to lead people to follow the Lord and His law-word.
V. 17, Ninth, Jehoiada used his power and authority to influence the people to deal with sin, and to commit themselves to serve the Lord and Him only.
V. 18, Tenth, Jehoiada used his power and authority to establish godliness in the church, both in the people and in the house of God.
V. 19, Eleventh, Jehoiada used his power and authority to insist on purity.
V. 15, the priests killed the usurper.
Vv. 16, 17, this was an emotional "high" time. Every time they had a big emotional experience, they broke down the heathen altars. Their actions, however, was not based in the Word of God — that is, they did not break down the altars as a result of repentance, of reading or hearing the word of God with the motive of doing the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, Romans 10:17. The "revival" here did not last.
I will add chapter 24 to this one, because it continues on with the godly actions of Jehoiada