2 Kings 11:17 - Meaning and Application

Jehoiada had now finished the more dangerous part of his work. With Athaliah dead, the young prince’s path to the throne was clear. He now needed to use that advantage to complete the change and settle the government.

Two things are told here. First, he laid a good foundation by making an original covenant, or solemn agreement (2 Kings 11:17). Since the prince and the people were gathered in God’s house, Jehoiada made sure they joined together in a covenant with God and with one another. This helped them understand their duty to God and to each other, and it bound them firmly to it.

He worked to secure religion among them by binding them to the Lord. The king and the people would only stay truly united if both joined themselves to God. God had already promised to be their God, and Jehoiada could point that out from the book of the testimony, that is, God’s written covenant law. Now the king and people had to agree on their side that they would be the Lord’s people. In this covenant, the king stood on the same level as his subjects, because he also was bound to serve the Lord.

By this pledge they renounced Baal, whom many had worshiped, and gave themselves back to God’s rule. A people are in a good condition when every change in their life helps renew and strengthen religion among them. Those who begin life under fresh and real obligations to God and to their duty are likely to do well. When we are bound to God, the bonds of every other duty are made stronger. They first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us (2 Corinthians 8:5).

Jehoiada also settled both the coronation oath and the oath of allegiance, the formal agreement between king and people. By this, the king was bound to rule according to law and protect his people. The people, as long as he did this, were bound to obey him and remain loyal to him. Covenants help us remember and keep the duties that already rest on us. It is good in every relationship for both sides to understand each other clearly, especially between ruler and subject. Then one knows the limits of power and authority, and the other knows the limits of freedom and property. The old boundaries set by our fathers must never be moved.

Second, he built on those foundations by setting things in order. In line with their covenant with God, they at once put away idolatry, which earlier kings, following Ahab’s house, had brought in (2 Kings 11:18). All the people of the land gathered together, showing their zeal against idol worship. Now that they had good leadership, each one helped pull down Baal’s temple, his altars, and his images. It seems all his worshipers abandoned him, except his priest Mattan, who stayed with the altar. Though everyone else forsook Baal, he would not, and there he was killed, the best sacrifice ever offered on that altar.

After Baal’s temple was destroyed, they appointed officers over the house of God. This was to make sure God’s worship was carried out by the right people, at the right time, and in the proper way.

In line with their covenant with one another, they showed mutual goodwill and satisfaction. The king was brought in state to the royal palace and sat on the throne of judgment, one of the thrones of the house of David (2 Kings 11:19). He was ready to receive petitions and appeals, and he would leave Jehoiada to answer them and judge them. The people rejoiced, and Jerusalem was quiet (2 Kings 11:20). Josephus says they kept a feast of joy for many days, proving Solomon’s saying true: “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked die, there is shouting” (Proverbs 11:10).