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2 Kings 11:12

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And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and [gave him] the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

And he brought forth {H3318} the king's {H4428} son {H1121}, and put {H5414} the crown {H5145} upon him, and gave him the testimony {H5715}; and they made him king {H4427}, and anointed {H4886} him; and they clapped {H5221} their hands {H3709}, and said {H559}, God save {H2421} the king {H4428}.

Then he brought out the king's son, crowned him, gave him [a copy of] the testimony and thus made him king; they anointed him, clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!"

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!”

Then he brought out the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, andgave himthe testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, Longlive the king.

Commentary

2 Kings 11:12 describes the dramatic and pivotal moment of Joash's coronation in the temple, marking the restoration of the legitimate Davidic line to the throne of Judah after years of usurpation.

Context

This verse is the climax of a daring coup orchestrated by Jehoiada the priest. Following the death of King Ahaziah (Joash's father), Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah, seized power and brutally murdered all royal heirs to secure her rule (2 Kings 11:1). However, baby Joash was secretly rescued by his aunt Jehosheba and hidden in the temple for six years (2 Kings 11:3). Jehoiada, a faithful priest, meticulously planned the overthrow of Athaliah and the installation of the rightful king. The coronation takes place within the sacred confines of the temple, highlighting the divine sanction of Joash's rule and Jehoiada's deep commitment to God's covenant with David.

Key Themes

  • Divine Preservation of the Davidic Line: This event is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant with David, promising an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:16). Despite Athaliah's attempt to extinguish the royal line, God preserved a remnant, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.
  • Restoration of Legitimate Authority: Joash's coronation represents the triumph of righteous, divinely appointed rule over an illegitimate and idolatrous reign. It signifies the re-establishment of order and justice in Judah.
  • The Role of the Priesthood: Jehoiada's courage and strategic leadership demonstrate the vital role of spiritual leaders in upholding truth, protecting the innocent, and restoring God's established order when civil authority fails or becomes corrupt.
  • Public Affirmation and Joy: The clapping of hands and acclamation, "God save the king," signify the people's enthusiastic acceptance and hope for a new, righteous era under their legitimate monarch.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gave him the testimony" is significant. The Hebrew word is 'eduth (עֵדוּת), which often refers to the Law, the covenant, or the tablets of the Law kept in the Ark of the Covenant. In this context, it likely refers to a copy of the Deuteronomic law or a royal decree outlining the king's responsibilities under God's covenant. It signifies that the king's rule was not absolute but bound by God's divine law, serving as a constant reminder of his obligations to govern justly and according to God's will. The act of "anointing" (Hebrew: mashach) was a sacred ritual that consecrated the king for his office, signifying divine appointment and empowerment, similar to David's anointing by Samuel.

Practical Application

This verse offers enduring lessons. It reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem dire or human evil prevails. It underscores the importance of righteous leadership and the dangers of usurped power. For believers, it provides confidence in God's sovereign plan, which ultimately culminated in the reign of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, who is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. The people's cry, "God save the king," reflects a timeless prayer for divine blessing and protection upon those in authority, especially those who seek to rule justly.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 25:16 (5 votes)

    And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

  • 1 Samuel 10:24 (5 votes)

    And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that [there is] none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

  • Exodus 31:18 (4 votes)

    And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

  • 2 Samuel 1:10 (4 votes)

    So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that [was] upon his head, and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

  • 1 Kings 1:39 (4 votes)

    And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

  • Deuteronomy 17:18 (3 votes)

    And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites:

  • Deuteronomy 17:20 (3 votes)

    That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left: to the end that he may prolong [his] days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.