Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 23:1
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the commanders of hundreds—with Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — In the seventh year of a reign, Jehoiada prepares for action by forming a covenant with five commanders of hundreds in Judah. This occurs before the Levites and Israelite family heads are gathered across Judah and brought to Jerusalem.
The words — The text records Jehoiada hit.cha.Zak (he strengthened himself) and va/i.yi.Kach (and he took) the sa.Rei (commanders of) ha./me.'ot (the hundreds). These verbs describe his deliberate preparation and the formal act of securing the military leaders.
The thread — Similar covenant-making with military or tribal leaders appears in 2 Kings 11:4 during the same seventh-year coup, while 1 Samuel 18:3 and 2 Chronicles 15:12 record other biblical covenants initiated by key figures to secure loyalty or spiritual commitment.
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to recognize that institutional change in Judah began with a calculated alliance among authorized leaders rather than popular uprising. It demands attention to how structured agreements precede public religious restoration.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 18:3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
- 2 Kings 11:4 Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son
- 2 Chronicles 15:12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul.
- Nehemiah 9:38 In view of all this, we make a binding agreement, putting it in writing and sealing it with the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.”