II Chronicles 23:11

God save the king - May the king live! See on Kg2 11:12 (note).

Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony--Some think that the original word rendered "testimony," as its derivation warrants, may signify here the regalia, especially the bracelet (Sa2 1:10); and this view they support on the ground that "gave him" being supplemented, the text properly runs thus, "put upon him the crown and testimony." At the same time, it seems equally pertinent to take "the testimony" in the usual acceptation of that term; and, accordingly, many are of opinion that a roll containing a copy of the law (Deu 17:18) was placed in the king's hands, which he held as a scepter or truncheon. Others, referring to a custom of Oriental people, who when receiving a letter or document from a highly respected quarter, lift it up to their heads before opening it, consider that Joash, besides the crown, had the book of the law laid upon his head (see Job 31:35-36). God save the king--literally, "Long live the king."

The contents of this chapter are the same with Kg2 11:4 and need no other explanation than what may be found in the notes there, to which the reader is referred.See Gill on Kg2 11:4. See Gill on Kg2 11:5. See Gill on Kg2 11:6. See Gill on Kg2 11:7. See Gill on Kg2 11:8. See Gill on Kg2 11:9. See Gill on Kg2 11:10. See Gill on Kg2 11:11. See Gill on Kg2 11:12. See Gill on Kg2 11:13. See Gill on Kg2 11:14. See Gill on Kg2 11:15. See Gill on Kg2 11:16. See Gill on Kg2 11:17. See Gill on Kg2 11:18. See Gill on Kg2 11:19. See Gill on Kg2 11:20. Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 24

The reign of Joash; cf. 2 Kings 12. - In both accounts only two main events in Joash's reign of forty years are narrated at any length, - the repair of the temple, and the campaign of the Syrian king Hazael against Jerusalem. Besides this, at the beginning, we have a statement as to the duration and spirit of his reign; and in conclusion, the murder of Joash in consequence of a conspiracy is mentioned. Both accounts agree in all essential points, but are shown to be extracts containing the most important part of a more complete history of Joash, by the fact that, on the one hand, in 2 Kings 12 single circumstances are communicated in a more detailed and more exact form than that in which the Chronicle states them; while, on the other hand, the account of the Chronicle supplements the account in 2 Kings 12 in many respects. To these latter belong the account of the marriage of Joash, and his many children, the account of the death of Jehoiada at the age of 130 years, and his honourable burial with the kings, etc.; see on Ch2 24:15.

Six years bloody Athaliah had tyrannised; in this chapter we have her deposed and slain, and Joash, the rightful heir, enthroned. We had the story before nearly as it is here related, Kg2 11:4, etc. I. Jehoiada prepared the people for the king, acquainted them with his design, armed them, and appointed them their posts (Ch2 23:1-10). II. He produced the king to the people, crowned him, and anointed him (Ch2 23:11). III. He slew the usurper (Ch2 23:12-15). IV. He reformed the kingdom, re-established religion, and restored the civil government (Ch2 23:16-21).

23:11 When the seven-year-old Joash was anointed and crowned as king, he was given a copy of the law, as the law commanded (see Deut 17:18-20).