2 Kings 11:17

KJV

¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jehoiada {H3077} made {H3772} a covenant {H1285} between the LORD {H3068} and the king {H4428} and the people {H5971}, that they should be the LORD'S {H3068} people {H5971}; between the king {H4428} also and the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoyada made a covenant between ADONAI, the king and the people, that they would be ADONAI's people, and [a covenant] between the king and the people.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.

American Standard Version

And Jehoiada made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, that they should be Jehovah’s people; between the king also and the people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 11:17 chronicles a pivotal moment of spiritual and political restoration in Judah, following the dramatic overthrow of the idolatrous Queen Athaliah. Orchestrated by the High Priest Jehoiada, this verse meticulously details the establishment of two crucial covenants: first, a vertical covenant between the LORD, the newly crowned King Joash, and the people, unequivocally reaffirming Judah's sacred identity as "the LORD'S people"; and second, a distinct horizontal covenant solely between the king and the people, solidifying mutual obligations for righteous governance and societal order. This foundational act not only re-established the legitimate Davidic monarchy but also decisively marked the nation's return to exclusive Yahweh worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [2 Kings 11:17](/2_kings/11-17 "2 Kings 11:17 - Jehoiada's Covenants") stands as the immediate spiritual and political consequence of a meticulously planned and executed coup. The preceding narrative vividly portrays the ruthless ascendancy of Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who, upon her son Ahaziah's death, brutally murdered all royal heirs to seize the throne, save for the infant Joash. Providentially, Joash was secretly hidden in the temple for six years by his aunt Jehosheba and the High Priest Jehoiada. The tension builds as Jehoiada masterfully orchestrates Athaliah's overthrow, culminating in her execution in [2 Kings 11:16](/2_kings/11-16 "2 Kings 11:16 - Athaliah's Execution"). Thus, verse 17 represents the essential spiritual and political cleansing that immediately follows this violent yet necessary restoration of the Davidic line and the true worship of Yahweh. It serves as the foundational act for Joash's subsequent reign and the significant temple reforms detailed in [2 Kings 12](/2_kings/12 "2 Kings 12 - Joash's Reign and Temple Repairs").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period depicted in the book of Kings is characterized by pervasive political instability and profound spiritual decline across both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Athaliah's six-year reign (c. 841-835 BC) was particularly egregious, representing a direct and existential threat to the Davidic covenant and aggressively promoting Baal worship—a destructive legacy inherited from her Omride parents. In ancient Israel and the broader ancient Near East, covenants were absolutely foundational to national identity, legal frameworks, and governance, often solemnized through elaborate rituals and binding oaths. The High Priest, exemplified by Jehoiada, wielded immense religious and, at critical junctures, significant political authority, especially during periods of regency or national crisis. The practice of covenant renewal was a common and potent mechanism, signifying a fresh beginning, a solemn reaffirmation of loyalty, and a renewed commitment to established laws and relationships, whether with a deity or a sovereign ruler. This specific covenant renewal in Judah was a profound re-establishment of the nation's theocratic foundation after a period of severe apostasy and tyrannical rule.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 11:17](/2_kings/11-17 "2 Kings 11:17 - Jehoiada's Covenants") powerfully encapsulates several core themes central to the book of Kings and the overarching Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His unconditional promise to David to maintain a perpetual dynasty ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Enduring Promise to David")), even when the royal line appeared on the brink of extinction. Secondly, it highlights the indispensable role of **Righteous Leadership**, exemplified by Jehoiada, whose profound courage, strategic wisdom, and spiritual integrity were instrumental in preserving the Davidic line and orchestrating the restoration of true Yahweh worship. His actions stand in stark contrast to the corrupt and idolatrous leadership of Athaliah. Thirdly, the verse profoundly emphasizes the **Identity of God's People**, as Judah is formally and publicly reaffirmed as "the LORD'S people," a foundational identity established at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, a Kingdom of Priests")). This re-establishment of their unique identity was absolutely crucial for the nation's spiritual health, moral compass, and future trajectory. Finally, it speaks powerfully to the theme of **Spiritual Restoration and Reformation**, as the nation decisively turns from pervasive idolatry back to Yahweh, initiating a period of profound religious cleansing and renewal under the new, legitimate king.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** This term signifies a solemn, binding agreement or pact, often initiated by a superior party (such as God) and involving clearly defined mutual obligations and promises. In the biblical context, a _bᵉrîyth_ with God transcends a mere legal contract; it is a deep, relational commitment that establishes a unique relationship, defines identity, and outlines the terms of blessing or curse based on faithfulness. The repetition of "covenant" within the verse powerfully emphasizes the dual nature and profound significance of the agreements made, highlighting their comprehensive scope.
* **Made (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** The verb _kârath_ literally means "to cut." The idiomatic expression "to cut a covenant" (_kârath bᵉrîyth_) directly refers to the ancient Near Eastern practice of solemnizing a covenant by cutting animals in half and the covenanting parties walking between the pieces (as vividly depicted in [Genesis 15:9-18](/genesis/15-9 "Genesis 15:9-18 - God's Covenant with Abram")). This ritual profoundly symbolized the dire consequences for breaking the covenant – the covenant breaker would be "cut off" or suffer a similar fate to the divided animals. Its use here underscores the gravity, solemnity, and binding nature of Jehoiada's actions, signifying an unbreakable commitment.
* **The LORD'S people (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh ʻam'_):** This phrase, a combination of H3068 (Yᵉhôvâh) and H5971 (ʻam), defines the unique identity and exclusive relationship of Israel (and Judah) with Yahweh. It denotes a people specifically chosen by God, set apart for His divine purposes, and belonging exclusively to Him. This sacred identity carries with it both immense privileges (such as divine protection, presence, and provision) and profound responsibilities (including exclusive worship, obedience to His commands, and living as His representatives). Reaffirming this identity was a direct and forceful repudiation of Athaliah's Baal worship and a decisive return to the foundational principles of the Mosaic covenant, which defined Israel's very existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people;":** This clause describes the vertical covenant, which is the primary and most theologically significant agreement. Jehoiada, acting as God's divinely appointed representative, mediated a renewed and solemn commitment from the newly crowned King Joash and all the people of Judah to Yahweh. The explicit purpose, "that they should be the LORD'S people," powerfully highlights the re-establishment of Judah's unique theological identity and their exclusive relationship with God, emphasizing unwavering allegiance to Him after the pervasive idolatry of Athaliah's reign. This was a profound spiritual re-dedication of the entire nation, aligning it once more with divine will.
* **"between the king also and the people.":** This second clause describes a distinct but intimately related horizontal covenant, an agreement forged directly between King Joash and his subjects. This pact established crucial mutual responsibilities: the king formally pledged to rule justly and righteously according to God's law, while the people, in turn, pledged their loyalty, obedience, and support to their legitimate and God-ordained monarch. This covenant was absolutely crucial for ensuring political stability, fostering good governance, and preventing future tyranny, guaranteeing that the king would rule in the fear of the LORD and that the people would uphold a righteous reign, in stark contrast to the oppressive rule they had just endured.

#### Literary Devices
[2 Kings 11:17](/2_kings/11-17 "2 Kings 11:17 - Jehoiada's Covenants") employs several impactful literary devices to convey its profound significance. **Repetition** is prominently evident in the double mention of "covenant," which underscores the dual nature and paramount importance of the agreements made—one vertical (between God, king, and people) and one horizontal (between king and people). This repetition emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the restoration, touching both spiritual and civil spheres. **Parallelism** is also present in the balanced structure of the two covenants, highlighting their distinct yet complementary functions in re-establishing both spiritual order and political stability. Furthermore, the entire act of covenant-making serves as powerful **Symbolism** of national spiritual cleansing and renewal. It is a visible, public declaration of Judah's decisive return to Yahweh and a forceful rejection of the idolatry that had plagued the kingdom under Athaliah. The restoration of the Davidic line and the re-establishment of the covenant also contain elements of **Foreshadowing**, pointing to God's enduring faithfulness to His promises, which would ultimately culminate in the perfect King and the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The covenant renewal in [2 Kings 11:17](/2_kings/11-17 "2 Kings 11:17 - Jehoiada's Covenants") is a profound theological statement about God's enduring faithfulness and His unwavering desire for His people to live in a right and exclusive relationship with Him. Despite the repeated failures of human kings and the pervasive influence of idolatry, God actively intervenes through faithful agents like Jehoiada to preserve His covenant promises and restore His people to Himself. This pivotal event demonstrates that national identity, for Israel, was inextricably linked to their covenant with Yahweh. To be "the LORD'S people" meant living under His divine rule, adhering to His laws, and unequivocally rejecting all other gods. The dual nature of the covenant—vertical and horizontal—also reveals a fundamental biblical understanding: true societal well-being, just governance, and flourishing human relationships are ultimately rooted in a prior, foundational commitment to God. When the people and their leaders are rightly aligned with God, their relationships with one another also flourish in justice, righteousness, and mutual responsibility.

* [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - Israel, a Treasured Possession")
* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Enduring Promise to David")
* [Deuteronomy 29:10-15](/deuteronomy/29-10-15 "Deuteronomy 29:10-15 - Covenant Renewal in Moab")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound scene in [2 Kings 11:17](/2_kings/11-17 "2 Kings 11:17 - Jehoiada's Covenants") offers timeless and powerful lessons for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder that our primary identity, much like that of ancient Judah, is to be "the LORD'S people." This is not merely an honorary title but a profound call to a life of exclusive devotion, wholehearted obedience, and complete belonging to God, lived out authentically in every sphere of our existence. Just as Judah desperately needed to reaffirm its covenant with God after a period of deep apostasy and idolatry, so too do individuals and communities of faith today require regular seasons of spiritual renewal and intentional re-commitment. This involves consciously and courageously turning away from the "idols" of our contemporary age—whether materialism, self-reliance, cultural pressures, or personal ambitions—and returning to wholehearted worship and obedient surrender to God. Furthermore, the dual covenant highlights the inseparable interconnectedness of our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with one another. True spiritual health within a community inevitably fosters justice, mutual responsibility, and righteous leadership, creating an environment where God's will can genuinely be done on earth as it is in heaven, reflecting His kingdom values.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the dual covenant in [2 Kings 11:17](/2_kings/11-17 "2 Kings 11:17 - Jehoiada's Covenants") inform our understanding of individual and communal responsibility to God and to one another in the modern context?**
* **In what practical ways can we, as contemporary believers, actively reaffirm our identity as "the LORD's people" in our daily lives, our families, and our faith communities?**
* **What enduring lessons can we draw from Jehoiada's courageous and faithful leadership regarding the transformative impact of godly guidance on spiritual revival and societal restoration?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Jehoiada making two covenants?**

Answer: Jehoiada made two distinct but intricately interconnected covenants to comprehensively restore Judah's spiritual and political order after Athaliah's tyrannical reign of terror and pervasive idolatry. The first, a vertical covenant "between the LORD and the king and the people," was of paramount theological significance. Its importance lay in unequivocally re-establishing Judah's foundational identity as "the LORD'S people," reaffirming their exclusive allegiance to Yahweh and decisively rejecting the Baal worship promoted by Athaliah. This was a profound spiritual re-dedication of the entire nation to God's covenant laws and His sovereign rule. The second, a horizontal covenant "between the king also and the people," addressed the practical governance and civil order of the kingdom. It secured the king's commitment to rule justly and righteously according to God's law (as outlined for kings in [Deuteronomy 17:18-20](/deuteronomy/17-18-20 "Deuteronomy 17:18-20 - Duties of the King")) and the people's reciprocal pledge of loyalty and obedience to their rightful, God-ordained monarch. Together, these covenants ensured both spiritual fidelity and political stability, laying the essential groundwork for a righteous reign and a return to national well-being and divine favor.

**Why was it important for Judah to be reaffirmed as "the LORD'S people"?**

Answer: Reaffirming Judah as "the LORD'S people" was critically important because it restored their unique and sacred national identity, which had been severely compromised and corrupted by Athaliah's idolatrous and tyrannical reign. From the very inception of the Mosaic covenant at Sinai, Israel's identity was intrinsically tied to their exclusive relationship with Yahweh, where they were called to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" ([Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation")). Athaliah, a zealous worshiper of Baal and daughter of the infamous Jezebel, had actively undermined this divine identity, promoting rampant idolatry and attempting to eradicate the Davidic line, which was the very vessel of God's enduring covenant promise. The public declaration that they were "the LORD'S people" was a decisive and powerful rejection of Baal worship, a return to their divine calling, and a solemn re-commitment to the covenant obligations that defined their very existence as a nation set apart by God. It signified a profound spiritual cleansing and a renewed national purpose under God's sovereign and righteous rule.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The covenant renewal in [2 Kings 11:17](/2_kings/11-17 "2 Kings 11:17 - Jehoiada's Covenants"), while a significant historical and theological event for ancient Judah, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Joash's enthronement as the rightful Davidic king, miraculously preserved by God's unwavering faithfulness against all odds, powerfully foreshadows Jesus, the true and eternal Son of David, whose kingdom is everlasting and will have no end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus, the Son of David, Reigns Forever")). Just as Jehoiada mediated a covenant that restored Judah to its rightful identity as "the LORD'S people," Jesus mediates a New Covenant, a "better covenant, founded on better promises" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant")), established through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Through this New Covenant, believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue are brought into an intimate and saving relationship with God, becoming His people—a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession" ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9-10 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation")). The spiritual restoration experienced under Joash was temporary and ultimately incomplete, but the radical and eternal restoration offered through Christ brings complete forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enabling a true and lasting transformation of the heart and mind ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Promised")). Ultimately, the triumph over Athaliah's idolatrous reign and the re-establishment of a righteous king point to Christ's definitive and eternal victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness, establishing His righteous and everlasting kingdom.

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 Samuel 5:3

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

2 Chronicles 15:12

And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

2 Chronicles 15:14

And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.

Joshua 24:25

So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

2 Chronicles 34:31

And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.

1 Samuel 10:25

Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote [it] in a book, and laid [it] up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

Ezra 10:3

Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.