God used Jehoiada’s leadership to unify His people around a righteous king and to reestablish their covenant commitment.
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they would be the LORD’S people, also between the king and the people. (v.17)
In making this covenant, Jehoiada the priest—who deposed Queen Athaliah after she had usurped the throne—acted with divine authority to renew Judah’s dedication to God. Historically, Athaliah (widow of King Joram and mother of Ahaziah) was considered among the most wicked rulers of the Old Testament; she seized power after her son’s death and murdered any royal descendants who threatened her claim. Jehoiada, serving faithfully around 835 BC, led a successful revolt in Jerusalem, installing young Joash as the rightful king and putting Athaliah to death. By doing so, this high priest safeguarded David’s lineage and restored proper worship of the LORD.The solemn promise recorded here—“that they would be the LORD’s people”—bound king and citizens alike to God’s commandments. Geographically, this moment took place in Jerusalem, the heart of Judah’s kingdom. By uniting the government’s leadership and the people under the covenant, Jehoiada was ensuring that the entire nation would look to God as their divine protector and guide. This public covenant ceremony marked a new beginning for both the monarchy and the wider community of believers, recalling how God’s covenant had sustained Israel through earlier seasons of turmoil (Deuteronomy 7:9).
This verse further underscores the leadership role of a godly priest in preserving the spiritual heritage of Judah. By committing everyone—royalty and commoners—to serve the LORD, Jehoiada effectively revived a spirit of national devotion. Just as future kings would be judged by whether they led the people in worshiping the true God (2 Kings 12:2-3), this renewed covenant laid the foundation for royal responsibility to promote faithfulness.
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2 Kings 11:17 meaning
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they would be the LORD’S people, also between the king and the people. (v.17)
In making this covenant, Jehoiada the priest—who deposed Queen Athaliah after she had usurped the throne—acted with divine authority to renew Judah’s dedication to God. Historically, Athaliah (widow of King Joram and mother of Ahaziah) was considered among the most wicked rulers of the Old Testament; she seized power after her son’s death and murdered any royal descendants who threatened her claim. Jehoiada, serving faithfully around 835 BC, led a successful revolt in Jerusalem, installing young Joash as the rightful king and putting Athaliah to death. By doing so, this high priest safeguarded David’s lineage and restored proper worship of the LORD.The solemn promise recorded here—“that they would be the LORD’s people”—bound king and citizens alike to God’s commandments. Geographically, this moment took place in Jerusalem, the heart of Judah’s kingdom. By uniting the government’s leadership and the people under the covenant, Jehoiada was ensuring that the entire nation would look to God as their divine protector and guide. This public covenant ceremony marked a new beginning for both the monarchy and the wider community of believers, recalling how God’s covenant had sustained Israel through earlier seasons of turmoil (Deuteronomy 7:9).
This verse further underscores the leadership role of a godly priest in preserving the spiritual heritage of Judah. By committing everyone—royalty and commoners—to serve the LORD, Jehoiada effectively revived a spirit of national devotion. Just as future kings would be judged by whether they led the people in worshiping the true God (2 Kings 12:2-3), this renewed covenant laid the foundation for royal responsibility to promote faithfulness.