King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 23:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 23:1 in the King James Version says “And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, an...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.”

2 Chronicles 23:1 · KJV

Context

1

And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

2

And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

3

And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.

Read 2 Chronicles 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Covenant restoration and righteous coup. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וּבַשָּׁנָ֨ה1 of 27

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַשְּׁבִעִ֜ית2 of 27

“And in the seventh”

H7637

seventh

הִתְחַזַּ֣ק3 of 27

“strengthened”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

יְהֽוֹיָדָ֗ע4 of 27

“Jehoiada”

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

וַיִּקַּ֣ח5 of 27

“himself and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת6 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׂרֵ֣י7 of 27

“the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמֵּא֡וֹת8 of 27

“of hundreds”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְלַֽעֲזַרְיָ֨הוּ9 of 27

“Azariah”

H5838

azarjah, the name of nineteen israelites

בֶּן10 of 27

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְרֹחָ֡ם11 of 27

“of Jeroham”

H3395

jerocham, the name of seven or eight israelites

וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל12 of 27

“and Ishmael”

H3458

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

בֶּן13 of 27

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְ֠הֽוֹחָנָן14 of 27

“of Jehohanan”

H3076

jehochanan, the name of eight israelites

וְלַֽעֲזַרְיָ֨הוּ15 of 27

“Azariah”

H5838

azarjah, the name of nineteen israelites

בֶּן16 of 27

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עוֹבֵ֜ד17 of 27

“of Obed”

H5744

obed, the name of five israelites

וְאֶת18 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַֽעֲשֵׂיָ֧הוּ19 of 27

“and Maaseiah”

H4641

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

בֶּן20 of 27

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֲדָיָ֛הוּ21 of 27

“of Adaiah”

H5718

adajah, the name of eight israelites

וְאֶת22 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֱלִֽישָׁפָ֥ט23 of 27

“and Elishaphat”

H478

elishaphat, an israelite

בֶּן24 of 27

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

זִכְרִ֖י25 of 27

“of Zichri”

H2147

zicri, the name of twelve israelites

עִמּ֥וֹ26 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בַבְּרִֽית׃27 of 27

“into covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 23:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 23:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 9:382 Chronicles 15:121 Samuel 18:32 Kings 11:4-20

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