King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 23:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 23:13 in the King James Version says “And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the ki... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. Treason: Heb. Conspiracy

2 Chronicles 23:13 · KJV


Context

11

Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king. God: Heb. Let the king live

12

Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:

13

And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. Treason: Heb. Conspiracy

14

Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges : and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

15

So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 29 words
וַתֵּ֡רֶא1 of 29

And she looked

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּ֣ה2 of 29
H2009

lo!

הַמֶּלֶךְ֒3 of 29

and behold the king

H4428

a king

עוֹמֵ֨ד4 of 29

stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַֽל5 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עַמּוּד֜וֹ6 of 29

at his pillar

H5982

a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform

בַּמָּב֗וֹא7 of 29

at the entering in

H3996

an entrance (the place or the act); specifically sunset or the west; also (adverb with preposition) towards

וְהַשָּׂרִ֣ים8 of 29

and the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

בַּחֲצֹ֣צְר֔וֹת9 of 29

and the trumpets

H2689

a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)

עַל10 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמֶּלֶךְ֒11 of 29

and behold the king

H4428

a king

וְכָל12 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַ֨ם13 of 29

and all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֜רֶץ14 of 29

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שָׂמֵ֗חַ15 of 29

rejoiced

H8056

blithe or gleeful

וְתוֹקֵ֙עַ֙16 of 29

and sounded

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

בַּחֲצֹ֣צְר֔וֹת17 of 29

and the trumpets

H2689

a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)

וְהַמְשֽׁוֹרֲרִים֙18 of 29

also the singers

H7891

to sing

בִּכְלֵ֣י19 of 29

with instruments

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

הַשִּׁ֔יר20 of 29

of musick

H7892

a song; abstractly, singing

וּמֽוֹדִיעִ֖ים21 of 29

and such as taught

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לְהַלֵּ֑ל22 of 29

to sing praise

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

וַתִּקְרַ֤ע23 of 29

rent

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙24 of 29

Then Athaliah

H6271

athaljah, the name of an israelitess and two israelites

אֶת25 of 29
H853

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

בְּגָדֶ֔יהָ26 of 29

her clothes

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וַתֹּ֖אמֶר27 of 29

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קָֽשֶׁר׃28 of 29

Treason

H7195

an (unlawful) alliance

קָֽשֶׁר׃29 of 29

Treason

H7195

an (unlawful) alliance


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 23:13 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 23:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study