2 Chronicles 23:20

KJV

And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he took {H3947} the captains {H8269} of hundreds {H3967}, and the nobles {H117}, and the governors {H4910} of the people {H5971}, and all the people {H5971} of the land {H776}, and brought down {H3381} the king {H4428} from the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}: and they came {H935} through {H8432} the high {H5945} gate {H8179} into the king's {H4428} house {H1004}, and set {H3427} the king {H4428} upon the throne {H3678} of the kingdom {H4467}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He took the captains of hundreds, the men of rank, the rulers of the people and all the people of the land; and they brought the king down from the house of ADONAI, going through the Upper Gate to the royal palace, and seated the king on the royal throne.

Berean Standard Bible

He also took with him the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD and entered the royal palace through the Upper Gate. They seated King Joash on the royal throne,

American Standard Version

And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of Jehovah: and they came through the upper gate unto the king’s house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse culminates the dramatic restoration of the Davidic monarchy in Judah, orchestrated by Jehoiada the priest. It describes the public procession of the newly crowned King Joash, accompanied by key military and civil leaders and the general populace, as they transition him from the sacred space of the Temple to the royal palace. This act formally establishes Joash's legitimate reign on the throne of the kingdom, signifying the end of Athaliah's tyrannical usurpation and the re-establishment of divine order and the Davidic covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic and decisive overthrow of Athaliah, the usurper queen, and the coronation of young Joash within the Temple precincts. [2 Chronicles 23:16-19](/2_chronicles/23-16 "2 Chronicles 23:16-19 - Jehoiada's Covenant and Temple Reforms") detail Jehoiada's covenant with the people, their destruction of the Baal altar, and the appointment of officers for the Temple service. Verse 20 marks the final, public act of establishing Joash's reign: his transfer from the sacred space where he was anointed to the civil seat of power. It signifies the transition from the internal, religious act of coronation to the external, public display of royal authority, solidifying the legitimacy of his rule before all of Judah. The narrative then moves into Joash's reign, initially characterized by faithfulness under Jehoiada's guidance in [2 Chronicles 24](/2_chronicles/24 "2 Chronicles 24 - Joash's Reign and Temple Repair").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period leading up to this event was one of significant turmoil and apostasy in Judah. Following the death of King Ahaziah, his mother Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, seized power and attempted to eradicate the entire Davidic royal line, mirroring the destructive influence of the Omride dynasty. This was a direct threat to God's covenant promise to David of an enduring dynasty ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Covenant with David")). Jehoiada's coup was not merely a political maneuver but a theological imperative to preserve the legitimate lineage and restore proper worship. The procession of the king from the Temple to the palace, accompanied by various societal strata, was a common ancient Near Eastern practice to publicly affirm a new ruler's legitimacy and secure popular support, often involving religious and military elements to underscore divine sanction and temporal power.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [2 Chronicles 23](/2_chronicles/23 "2 Chronicles 23 - Jehoiada's Coup and Joash's Coronation") and specifically in this verse is the **restoration of legitimate authority** and the **preservation of the Davidic covenant**. Athaliah's reign represented a profound disruption of God's established order, characterized by idolatry and the attempted annihilation of the royal line. Jehoiada's actions, culminating in Joash's enthronement, demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, even when human agents are used to bring them to fruition. Another key theme is the **interplay of sacred and secular authority**, as the king is brought from the "house of the LORD" to the "king's house," signifying that while his rule is divinely sanctioned, its practical exercise occurs in the civil realm. The broad participation of "captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land" also highlights the theme of **national unity and popular affirmation** for righteous leadership, contrasting sharply with the illegitimate and oppressive rule that preceded it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Captains of hundreds (Hebrew, שָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת, _sarei hamme'ot_):** These were military commanders, each responsible for approximately 100 soldiers. Their inclusion underscores the organized military backing for Jehoiada's coup and the new king, indicating that the transition of power was not merely a religious or political act but one secured by force and widespread military support, ensuring stability.
* **Nobles (Hebrew, הַשָּׂרִים, _hassārîm_):** This term refers to high-ranking officials, princes, or chief officers, representing the civil and aristocratic leadership of Judah. Their presence signifies the endorsement of the established political elite, lending further legitimacy and authority to Joash's enthronement and demonstrating a unified front against the previous usurper.
* **High gate (Hebrew, הַשַּׁעַר הָעֶלְיוֹן, _hashsha'ar hā'elyôn_):** This likely refers to a prominent or elevated entrance to the royal palace or a significant gate within the Temple complex leading towards the palace. Its mention emphasizes the public and ceremonial nature of the procession, indicating a grand, visible, and official transfer of power for all to witness, solidifying Joash's position in the public eye.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land":** This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the support and participation in Joash's enthronement. "He" refers to Jehoiada the priest, who orchestrated this entire event. The listed groups represent a broad cross-section of Judahite society: the military (captains of hundreds), the civil aristocracy (nobles), regional administrators (governors of the people), and the general populace ("all the people of the land"). This collective presence signifies widespread consensus and legitimate national affirmation for the new king, essential for stability after a period of illegitimate rule.
* **"and brought down the king from the house of the LORD":** This marks the physical transition of young King Joash from the Temple, where he had been hidden for six years and where his anointing and initial acclamation took place. The phrase "brought down" suggests a descent, perhaps from an elevated part of the Temple complex or simply a movement from the sacred precinct to the more common ground of the city and palace. This movement symbolizes the shift from the purely religious aspect of his coronation to the practical, daily exercise of his civil authority.
* **"and they came through the high gate into the king's house":** The procession's entry through a "high gate" (likely a prominent or main entrance) into the "king's house" (the royal palace) signifies the formal and public installation of Joash into the seat of government. This public display was crucial for establishing his legitimacy and authority in the eyes of the populace, demonstrating a transparent and orderly transfer of power following the chaos of Athaliah's reign.
* **"and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom":** This final clause describes the ultimate act of enthronement. Joash is physically placed on the royal throne, symbolizing his full assumption of kingship and the restoration of the legitimate Davidic line. This act completes the coup, formally ending Athaliah's usurpation and re-establishing God's covenant with David through the rightful heir, bringing stability and divine order back to Judah.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Synecdoche** is evident in the listing of "captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land," where specific groups are named to represent the entirety of the nation's unified support. This emphasizes the broad consensus behind Joash's enthronement. The movement from "the house of the LORD" to "the king's house" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the transition from sacred anointing and divine sanction to the practical exercise of civil authority. This spatial shift underscores the dual nature of Israelite kingship, divinely ordained yet exercised in the temporal realm. The entire procession and enthronement act as a **Ceremony** or **Ritual**, a formalized public performance designed to impress upon the populace the legitimacy and divine approval of the new king, thereby consolidating his power and ensuring national stability after a period of chaos.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the Davidic covenant, even in the face of human apostasy and direct attempts to thwart His plan. Jehoiada's actions, supported by the people, represent a divinely ordained intervention to preserve the legitimate lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come. The restoration of Joash to the throne is not merely a political event but a theological triumph, demonstrating that God maintains sovereignty over human affairs and will ensure the fulfillment of His word, even through dramatic and decisive means. It underscores the importance of righteous leadership and the consequences of rebellion against divine order, showing that God ultimately establishes and removes rulers according to His sovereign will.

* [2 Kings 11:19](/2_kings/11-19 "2 Kings 11:19 - Parallel Account of Joash's Enthronement")
* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Enduring Promise to David")
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - The Impact of Righteous and Wicked Rule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Joash's enthronement offers profound lessons for believers today concerning divine providence, the importance of righteous leadership, and the power of collective action guided by faith. In a world often characterized by political instability, moral decay, and leadership failures, this passage reminds us that God remains sovereign over all earthly kingdoms. It calls us to pray for our leaders, to discern and support righteous governance, and to actively participate in upholding justice and truth within our spheres of influence. Just as Jehoiada acted decisively to restore God's order, we are called to be agents of spiritual and moral restoration in our communities, standing for what is right and trusting that God can work through faithful individuals to bring about His purposes, even in challenging times. The public affirmation of Joash also highlights the need for transparency and legitimacy in leadership, fostering trust and stability within any community or nation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jehoiada's strategic action inspire us to act courageously for God's purposes in our own contexts?**
* **In what ways does this passage affirm God's sovereignty over political and historical events?**
* **What does the broad support for Joash's enthronement teach us about the importance of unity and collective action in upholding righteous leadership?**
* **How can we, as believers, contribute to the establishment of just and legitimate authority in our societies today?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of bringing the king from "the house of the LORD" to "the king's house"?**

Answer: This transition was profoundly symbolic, marking the shift from the king's sacred anointing and divine legitimation within the Temple to the practical, daily exercise of his civil authority in the royal palace. Joash had been hidden in the Temple for six years ([2 Chronicles 22:11-12](/2_chronicles/22-11 "2 Chronicles 22:11-12 - Joash Hidden in the Temple")), and his coronation ceremony, including the presentation of the testimony and the anointing, took place there ([2 Chronicles 23:11](/2_chronicles/23-11 "2 Chronicles 23:11 - Joash's Coronation")). By bringing him to the "king's house," the procession publicly affirmed that his divinely sanctioned rule was now fully established in the seat of earthly power, ready to govern the nation. It underscored that while his authority originated from God, it was to be exercised in the temporal realm.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The restoration of Joash to the Davidic throne in 2 Chronicles 23:20 serves as a powerful type and shadow of the ultimate, perfect King, Jesus Christ. Just as Joash, a hidden heir, was brought forth from the sanctuary to assume his rightful kingdom, so too was Christ, the true Son of David, hidden in humanity, revealed to the world as the legitimate heir to an eternal throne. The broad support from "captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land" for Joash foreshadows the universal acclamation that will one day be given to Christ, when "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). While Joash's reign was earthly and temporary, the enthronement of Christ at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")) signifies a spiritual and eternal kingdom that will never end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Christ")). His procession from the tomb, through resurrection, to ascension, and finally to His heavenly throne, far surpasses Joash's earthly journey, establishing Him as the true Lamb of God and Lion of Judah, whose reign brings ultimate justice, peace, and salvation to all who acknowledge Him as Lord ([Revelation 5:5-10](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5-10 - The Lamb Worthy to Open the Scroll")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 11:19

And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.

2 Kings 11:9

And the captains over the hundreds did according to all [things] that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

2 Kings 11:10

And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that [were] in the temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 15:35

Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.