2 Chronicles 23 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Chronicles 23 Short Summary:

Queen Athaliah was reigning over Judah following her murder of the royal family, but unknown to her, one of the heirs to the throne survived. After being hidden for 7 years, Jehoiada the priest revealed Joash to the people of Judah and declared him king. The people accepted the coronation and had evil Athaliah executed. Jehoiada and Joash began reforms in Judah. They tore down the temple of Baal and made a covenant to serve the true God.

2 Chronicles 23 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• Athaliah reigned over Judah as queen for 6 years.

• Joash (Jehoash) was king in Judah for 40 years. His reign probably fits between the years of 880-835 B.C.

KEY CHARACTERS:

• Athaliah – The mother of Ahaziah (the previous king of Judah) who took control of Judah after her son was killed.

• Joash (Jehoash) – Ahaziah’s son who survived the murder of the royal family.

• Jehoiada – A priest who protected Joash and introduced him to the people of Judah.

WHERE:

• Jerusalem – The capital of the Kingdom of Judah and the location of God’s Temple.

OUTLINE:

• *This chapter has a parallel in 2 Kings 11.

• JOASH IS MADE KING (23:1-15):

  • After 7 years of hiding Joash, Jehoiada the priest decided it was time to reveal him to the people of Judah.

  • He came up with a plan and recruited the help of the commanders and the Levites.

  • When all the people were gathered in the courtyard of the Temple, Joash was brought out, surrounded by armed guards, and introduced to the people as the rightful heir to the throne of Judah.

  • The Levites and the guards protected Joash and prevented anyone from entering the Temple. This was probably to keep Athaliah’s idol worshiping allies away from Joash.

  • The crown of Judah was placed on Joash’s head, he was anointed with oil by Jehoiada, and the assembly said, “Long live the king.”

  • When evil Queen Athaliah heard the commotion, she went into the Temple, tore her clothes, and started yelling about conspiracy and treason.

  • She was arrested, taken outside the Temple, and executed.

• JEHOIADA AND JOASH BEGIN A REFORMATION IN JUDAH (23:16-21):

  • Jehoiada the priest made a covenant between himself, Joash, and all the people that they would serve the Lord and obey His law.

  • Afterwards, the people tore down the temple of Baal and killed its priest.

  • The daily sacrifices at the Temple, which God prescribed in His law, were restored.

  • Joash was put on the throne, and the city enjoyed rest after the evil days of Athaliah. 
    

APPLICATION:

• God is always one step (or 5 steps) ahead of evil.

• Recently, there’s been all kinds of speculation about what new technologies, like A.I., are going to do to our society and what evils they might introduce.

• We can be confident that whatever arises in the future world, God has already accounted for it, and He has already begun the providential work necessary to protect His saints and His Word.

• Athaliah thought she was forward thinking in killing the royal family of Judah. She thought she was eliminating all future threats to her reign. But this chapter reveals how little vision she really had. God hid a son of David right under her nose for 7 years.

• Evil cannot play chess with God. He knows every move of His opponent before the game begins.