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2 Kings 21:24

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of King Amon's assassination by his own servants within his palace. Amon, son of the notoriously wicked King Manasseh, reigned for only two years (2 Kings 21:19-23). During his brief rule, Amon continued the idolatrous practices of his father, King Manasseh, leading to widespread apostasy in Judah. The conspiracy against him likely stemmed from dissatisfaction within the court or a desire for political change. This verse highlights the swift, decisive response of "the people of the land" to restore order and establish legitimate succession.

Key Themes

  • Restoration of Order: The immediate action of the "people of the land" to execute the conspirators demonstrates a strong desire for stability and a rejection of regicide. They sought to prevent further chaos or a power vacuum that could destabilize the kingdom of Judah.
  • The Role of "The People of the Land": The phrase "people of the land" (Hebrew: 'am ha'aretz) often refers to influential citizens, landowners, or the general populace who held significant sway in national affairs, especially regarding kingship. Their direct involvement in punishing the assassins and appointing Josiah underscores their importance in the political landscape of ancient Israel.
  • Divine Providence in Succession: Although Amon's reign was short and wicked, his assassination and the subsequent enthronement of his young son, Josiah, appear to be part of God's overarching plan. This immediate action ensured a smooth transition of power and paved the way for the reign of one of Judah's most righteous kings, King Josiah, who would later initiate significant religious reforms and lead the nation back to covenant faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the people of the land" ('am ha'aretz) is significant. It doesn't necessarily mean every single person, but rather the influential and representative body of citizens who had the power and authority to act collectively in matters of national importance, such as dealing with a royal assassination and establishing a new king.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even in times of political turmoil, God's sovereign hand can work through human actions to bring about His purposes. The swift action of the people ensured not only political stability but also the ascension of a king who would bring about spiritual revival. It teaches us about the importance of upholding justice, ensuring stable leadership, and recognizing that even through challenging circumstances, a path for righteousness can emerge.

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

  • 2 Kings 14:5 (4 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • 2 Kings 11:17 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.