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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 15 December 2025:
2 Chronicles 23:1 — But in the seventh year Jehoiada took courage and entered into a covenant with the commanders of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri.
The phrase took courage sets the tone for the entire chapter. Courage here is not impulsive rebellion but faithful resolve grounded in covenant. Jehoiada acts after years of hidden faithfulness, guarding the rightful heir while Athaliah ruled in violence and fear. His courage is covenantal courage, anchored in God’s promises to David, not personal ambition. True courage often waits patiently and then moves decisively at the right moment.
2 Chronicles 23:2 — And they went about through Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers’ houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
Restoration begins with gathering God’s people, not with seizing power. Jehoiada involves Levites and family leaders, those responsible for worship and spiritual oversight. The renewal of the kingdom flows through spiritual channels. When God restores what is broken, He starts by reassembling faithful servants around His purposes.
2 Chronicles 23:3 — And all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son! Let him reign, as the LORD spoke concerning the sons of David.
This is a public act of allegiance to God’s revealed will. The covenant is made in the house of God, reminding the people that kingship exists under divine authority. Jehoiada grounds the action in Scripture, not sentiment. God’s promises are not extinguished by time, violence, or apparent defeat. What God has spoken stands firm. God keeps His word. No one can thwart His plans.
2 Chronicles 23:4-5 — “This is the thing that you shall do: of you, the priests and the Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers, one third shall be at the king’s house, and one third at the Gate of the Foundation. And all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.
Order and obedience accompany spiritual courage. Jehoiada plans carefully, honoring God’s rhythms and the sanctity of the temple. This is not chaos disguised as zeal. God’s work is carried out with reverence, structure, and discipline. Faithful action respects God’s design.
2 Chronicles 23:6-7 — “Let no one enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the ministering Levites… And the Levites shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand.”
The king is protected by those set apart for God. Spiritual leadership and physical courage stand together. The Levites’ role emphasizes that the preservation of God’s purposes requires both holiness and resolve. The rightful king is guarded by faithfulness before force.
2 Chronicles 23:8 — The Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded.
Revival advances when God’s people obey fully. There is no record of dissent or hesitation. Unity flows from trust in godly leadership aligned with God’s Word. Obedience becomes the engine of restoration.
2 Chronicles 23:9-10 — And Jehoiada the priest gave to the commanders… the spears and shields that had belonged to King David… and he set all the people as a guard for the king.
David’s weapons reappear, linking past faithfulness with present obedience. God’s previous victories supply confidence for present action. The past is not nostalgia; it is testimony. What God has done before fuels faith for what He is doing now.
We see throughout the Bible the expectation and responsibility for men to be ready, able, and willing to fight to defend themselves and others when necessary and within God’s standards. We see throughout the Bible that fighting is not inherently evil just as commerce is not inherently evil; it is the motive and the means that must be considered carefully. In 2 Chronicles, Jehoiada the priest leads this fight with weapons from the Temple against the corrupt illegitimate, ruling authorities. In Luke 22, Jesus warns his disciples to buy swords to defend themselves if they don’t have any — “The disciples said, ‘See, Lord, here are two swords.’ ‘That’s enough!’ he replied (Luke 22:38).” Self-defense is a responsibility and right that cannot be delegated or abrogated.
2 Chronicles 23:11 — Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. They proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”
This is a moment of resurrection imagery. The rightful king emerges from hiding into public recognition. The crown and the testimony unite authority and obedience to God’s law. Applause follows obedience, not demands for performance. The point is that applause here is not celebrating spectacle, talent, or human achievement; it is responding to rightful authority being revealed and honored. The people are not clapping because Joash impressed them, proved himself, or performed anything extraordinary. He is a child. They clap because the king is the king. Obedience comes first, alignment with God’s order comes first, and joy follows. That same inversion matters for our response to Jesus today. We are tempted to applaud Jesus when He meets our expectations, solves our problems, or performs in ways we find impressive. Scripture calls us to something older and deeper: submission before celebration. Jesus is King whether He heals us or not, whether circumstances improve or not, whether obedience costs us or not. True worship is not clapping because God entertained us; it is rejoicing because God reigns. When obedience precedes emotion, worship becomes durable. When emotion precedes obedience, faith becomes conditional. The crowd in 2 Chronicles 23 models a mature response: they align with God’s revealed will, enthrone the rightful King, and then rejoice. That is the order Christ still calls His people to today.
God’s faithful people are called to come together to plan how to promote revival, revival which can only occur through the move of the Holy Spirit but is facilitated by faithful servants who are wholeheartedly committed to fulfilling God’s will and leading others to do the same.
2 Chronicles 23:12-13 — When Athaliah heard the noise… she tore her clothes and said, “Treason! Treason!”
Tyranny always cries treason when truth is revealed. Athaliah’s accusation exposes her fear. Those who rule illegitimately feel threatened by righteousness. The noise of worship and obedience is intolerable to those built on rebellion.
2 Chronicles 23:14-15 — Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the commanders… and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks… for the priest said, “Do not put her to death in the house of the LORD.”
Even judgment is carried out with reverence for God’s holiness. Jehoiada distinguishes between justice and desecration. God’s house remains sacred even while evil is removed. Righteous action does not abandon restraint.
2 Chronicles 23:16 — And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people.
The ultimate goal is not regime change but covenant renewal. Political restoration without spiritual allegiance would be hollow. God’s people are reclaimed for God Himself. True reform always leads back to identity: belonging to the LORD.
Covenant is made in a community of faithful believers.
2 Chronicles 23:17 — Then all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down… and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
False worship is dismantled decisively. Covenant faithfulness cannot coexist with idolatry. The people act corporately, rejecting compromise. When God restores His rule, counterfeit gods must fall.
2 Chronicles 23:18 — And Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD under the direction of the Levitical priests….
Worship is restored with intention and joy. God’s house is reordered according to God’s Word. Again, celebration follows obedience. Joy rooted in righteousness strengthens the people.
A faithful, powerful church has faithful ministers God chooses for the congregation in order to do what God commands while leading in heartfelt, submissive, aligned, Christ-centered worship.
2 Chronicles 23:19 — He stationed the gatekeepers… so that no one should enter who was in any way unclean.
Holiness guards blessing. God’s presence is honored through purity and discernment. Protection of worship is not exclusionary pride but reverent stewardship.
2 Chronicles 23:20-21 — So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword.
Peace follows righteous restoration. The quiet is not emptiness but stability. When God’s order is restored, chaos loses its grip. Joy and peace mark the reign of a king aligned with God’s covenant.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) — 15 December 2025: Choose covenant courage today. Identify one area where fear, delay, or compromise has kept you from acting in obedience. Take one faithful step that aligns your life more fully with God’s revealed will, trusting that His promises stand even when circumstances resist.
Pray: Father, give me covenant courage. Teach me to wait faithfully and act boldly at the right time. Align my heart with Your promises, guard me from compromise, and help me participate joyfully in Your work of restoration. Make my life a place where Your rightful rule brings peace, holiness, and joy. Amen.
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