2 Kings 21:24

KJV

And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the people {H5971} of the land {H776} slew {H5221} all them that had conspired {H7194} against king {H4428} Amon {H526}; and the people {H5971} of the land {H776} made Josiah {H2977} his son {H1121} king {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the people of the land put to death all those who had been part of the conspiracy against King Amon. Then the people of the land made Yoshiyahu his son king in place of him.

Berean Standard Bible

But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.

American Standard Version

But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the assassination of King Amon by his own servants, this verse details the swift and decisive response of "the people of the land," who executed the conspirators and immediately established Amon's young son, Josiah, as the new king. This pivotal moment not only restored order and punished regicide but also ensured the continuity of the Davidic dynasty, setting the stage for one of Judah's most significant periods of spiritual reform under Josiah's righteous reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate resolution to the crisis described in the preceding verses, [2 Kings 21:19-23](/2_kings/21-19 "2 Kings 21:19-23 - The Reign and Assassination of King Amon"). King Amon, son of the notoriously wicked Manasseh, reigned for only two years, continuing his father's idolatrous practices. His assassination by his own servants within the palace created a dangerous power vacuum and a threat to the stability of the Davidic monarchy. [2 Kings 21:24](/2_kings/21-24 "2 Kings 21:24 - The People's Response and Josiah's Ascension") swiftly resolves this instability by demonstrating the immediate and unified action of "the people of the land" to punish the perpetrators and ensure a legitimate succession. This transition is crucial, as it leads directly into the narrative of King Josiah's righteous reign, detailed from [2 Kings 22:1](/2_kings/22-1 "2 Kings 22:1 - Josiah Becomes King") onward, providing a stark contrast to the wickedness of his predecessors.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "the people of the land" (Hebrew: _'am ha'aretz_) in ancient Israel and Judah often referred not to the entire populace, but to a specific, influential segment of society—likely landholders, elders, military leaders, or prominent citizens who held significant political and economic power. Their role was crucial in legitimizing kingship, especially in times of crisis or disputed succession. Unlike the frequent and often chaotic regicides and dynastic changes in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the Davidic dynasty in Judah generally maintained a more stable succession, often with the involvement of this influential group. Their swift action here reflects a desire to uphold the established order, prevent further chaos, and maintain the integrity of the Davidic line, which was central to Judah's national and theological identity.

* **Key Themes:** The immediate aftermath of Amon's assassination highlights several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty** over human affairs, even amidst political turmoil and sin. Despite Amon's wickedness and violent end, God's plan for the Davidic line and for Judah's future continued to unfold. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of **justice and order**, as "the people of the land" swiftly punish those who destabilized the kingdom through regicide, demonstrating a commitment to law and stability. Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **legitimate succession** and the preservation of the Davidic covenant, as Josiah, a direct descendant, is enthroned. This act of enthronement, though humanly orchestrated, is implicitly guided by divine providence, paving the way for the significant religious reforms and covenant renewal under King Josiah, as detailed in [2 Kings 23](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Reforms"). This transition from a wicked reign to a righteous one also sets up a powerful **contrast** that runs throughout the book of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings - The Reigns of Kings in Israel and Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **People of the land (Hebrew, _'am ha'aretz'_):** This term is highly significant. It does not refer to every common person but rather to a specific, influential social and political class in Judah. They were often the landed gentry, prominent citizens, or representatives of the various clans who possessed the authority and power to act collectively in matters of national importance, such as king-making, treaty ratification, or, as here, responding to a royal assassination. Their unified action signifies a broad consensus among the powerful elements of society to restore order and ensure legitimate succession.
* **Slew (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** The verb "slew" (נָכָה, _nakah_) denotes a decisive and violent act, often implying a judicial execution or a military strike. In this context, it signifies the swift and authoritative punishment meted out to the conspirators. This was not merely an act of revenge but a re-establishment of justice and order, demonstrating the "people of the land's" resolve to prevent further chaos and uphold the sanctity of the monarchy.
* **Made... king (Hebrew, _himlik'_):** The hiphil form of the verb "to reign" (מָלַךְ, _malak_), meaning "to cause to reign" or "to make king," highlights the active role of "the people of the land" in the enthronement of Josiah. This was a formal act of legitimization and installation, underscoring their authority in the process of royal succession and their commitment to the Davidic dynasty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon;":** This clause describes the immediate and decisive response to the regicide. The influential "people of the land" took swift action to identify and execute those responsible for King Amon's assassination. This act served multiple purposes: it punished the crime of regicide, deterred future attempts at destabilizing the monarchy, and re-established the rule of law and order in Judah, preventing a potential civil war or power vacuum.
* **"and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.":** Following the execution of the conspirators, the same influential group immediately installed Amon's son, Josiah, as the new king. This action ensured the continuity of the Davidic line, which was divinely promised (cf. [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). Despite the wickedness of Amon and his father Manasseh, God's covenant faithfulness is subtly demonstrated through the preservation of the royal lineage, paving the way for Josiah, who would become one of Judah's most righteous kings and lead a significant spiritual revival.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrase "the people of the land" appearing twice, emphasizing their unified agency and decisive role in both punishing the conspirators and establishing the new king. This repetition underscores their authority and the communal commitment to order. There is also an implicit **contrast** between the chaos of Amon's assassination and the swift, orderly re-establishment of the monarchy. This swift resolution also serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the significant and righteous reign of Josiah that is about to unfold. The narrative moves quickly from crisis to resolution, setting a tone of divine providence at work even in human political machinations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand at work even amidst human sin, political intrigue, and violence. While King Amon's reign was wicked and his end violent, the immediate and decisive action of "the people of the land" to punish the conspirators and install Josiah demonstrates a divinely guided preservation of order and the Davidic line. This highlights that God can use human agents and political processes, even those born of crisis, to achieve His overarching redemptive purposes. The enthronement of Josiah, a boy who would grow to be a righteous king, underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the promise of an enduring dynasty for David, and His ability to raise up leaders who will align with His will, even after generations of apostasy.

* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Covenant with David")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Authority from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of 2 Kings 21:24 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that even when societies face moral decay, political instability, or violent upheaval, God remains sovereign over all circumstances. The swift action of "the people of the land" to restore justice and ensure legitimate leadership serves as a model for actively seeking order and righteousness in our communities, rather than succumbing to despair or anarchy. We are called to be agents of peace and justice, contributing to the stability and well-being of our societies, while always trusting that God's ultimate plan will prevail. Furthermore, the unexpected rise of Josiah, a righteous king from a wicked lineage, encourages us that God can bring forth good even from the most challenging or unpromising situations, offering hope for transformation and renewal in our own lives and in the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse demonstrate God's sovereignty even amidst human sin and political turmoil, and what comfort can we draw from this truth?**
* **What is the significance of "the people of the land" in ensuring a righteous succession, and what does this imply about communal responsibility in upholding justice and good governance?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, contribute to justice, order, and the flourishing of our communities, trusting God's ultimate plan for redemption?**

### FAQ
**Who were "the people of the land" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "the people of the land" (Hebrew: _'am ha'aretz_) in this context refers to an influential and representative body of citizens in Judah, rather than every single person. These were typically prominent landowners, elders, military leaders, or other influential figures who held significant political and social power. They acted as a collective force, often representing the national will or the established order, particularly in matters of kingship and national stability. Their involvement here underscores their authority in legitimizing royal succession and maintaining order after the assassination of a king.

**Why was King Amon assassinated, and why did the people respond this way?**

Answer: The biblical text does not explicitly state the specific motives of Amon's servants for assassinating him, but it does note that he "did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done" ([2 Kings 21:20](/2_kings/21-20 "2 Kings 21:20 - Amon's Reign")). It's plausible that the assassination stemmed from dissatisfaction with his idolatrous policies, internal court intrigue, or a power struggle among his officials. The swift response of "the people of the land" to execute the conspirators and enthrone Josiah was crucial for several reasons: to punish the crime of regicide, to prevent further chaos or a power vacuum, and to ensure the continuity and stability of the Davidic dynasty, which was divinely sanctioned and central to Judah's identity. Their action was a decisive move to restore legitimate authority and order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly chaotic events surrounding Amon's assassination and Josiah's enthronement in [2 Kings 21:24](/2_kings/21-24 "2 Kings 21:24 - The People's Response and Josiah's Ascension") find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The immediate re-establishment of the Davidic line through Josiah, despite the wickedness of his predecessors, speaks to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with David, promising an eternal throne ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Covenant with David")). This lineage culminates in Jesus, the ultimate Son of David, whose birth fulfills this ancient promise ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel's Prophecy to Mary")). While earthly kings like Josiah brought temporary reforms and restored a measure of justice, their reigns were finite and imperfect. Jesus, however, is the righteous King whose reign is eternal, bringing ultimate justice, perfect order, and complete spiritual restoration that no earthly monarch could achieve. He is the true "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), initiating a spiritual kingdom that transcends political boundaries and human frailties, offering eternal life and true righteousness to all who believe. The preservation of the Davidic line through moments of crisis like Amon's death ultimately points to the unshakable foundation of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the reign of Christ, our perfect King.

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 14:5

And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.

2 Chronicles 22:1

¶ And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

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 Kings 14:21

And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which [was] sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.

2 Chronicles 26:1

¶ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who [was] sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

1 Kings 12:1

¶ And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.

2 Kings 11:17

¶ 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.