King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 23:14 Mean?

2 Chronicles 23:14 in the King James Version says “Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 23:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people.

Read 2 Chronicles 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 25 words
הֽוֹצִיא֙וּהָ֙1 of 25

“brought out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יְהֽוֹיָדָ֨ע2 of 25

“Then Jehoiada”

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן3 of 25

“For the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶת4 of 25
H853

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

שָׂרֵ֥י5 of 25

“the captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמֵּא֣וֹת׀6 of 25

“of hundreds”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

פְּקוּדֵ֣י7 of 25

“that were set over”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

הַחַ֗יִל8 of 25

“the host”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אָמַ֣ר9 of 25

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶם֙10 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֽוֹצִיא֙וּהָ֙11 of 25

“brought out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶל12 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֥ית13 of 25

“her not in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַשְּׂדֵר֔וֹת14 of 25
H7713

a row, i.e., rank (of soldiers), story (of rooms)

וְהַבָּ֥א15 of 25

“and whoso followeth”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אַֽחֲרֶ֖יהָ16 of 25
H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

תְמִית֖וּהָ17 of 25

“Slay”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בֶּחָ֑רֶב18 of 25

“with the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

כִּ֚י19 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָמַ֣ר20 of 25

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן21 of 25

“For the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לֹ֥א22 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְמִית֖וּהָ23 of 25

“Slay”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בֵּ֥ית24 of 25

“her not in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָֽה׃25 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 23:14 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 23:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 21:142 Kings 11:82 Kings 11:152 Kings 10:25Ezekiel 9:7

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