2 Chronicles 23:4
2 Chronicles 23:4 in Multiple Translations
This is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath shall keep watch at the doors,
This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;
This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds;
This is what you are to do: let a third of you, of the priests and Levites, who come in on the Sabbath, keep the doors;
Here's what you have to do. One third of you priests and Levites who enter on the Sabbath shall guard the entrances.
This is it that ye shall do, The third part of you that come on the Sabbath of the Priests, and the Leuites, shalbe porters of the doores.
'This [is] the thing that ye do: The third of you, going in on the sabbath, of the priests, and of the Levites, [are] for gatekeepers of the thresholds,
This is the thing that you must do: a third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be gatekeepers of the thresholds.
This is the thing that ye shall do: A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests, and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;
And this is the thing that you shall do:
“So this is what you must do: One-third of you priests and other descendants of Levi who are starting their work on the Sabbath day must guard the doors of the temple.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 23:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Chronicles 23:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זֶ֥ה
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ
הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֨ית
מִ/כֶּ֜ם
בָּאֵ֣י
הַ/שַּׁבָּ֗ת
לַ/כֹּֽהֲנִים֙
וְ/לַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
לְ/שֹֽׁעֲרֵ֖י
הַ/סִּפִּֽים
זֶ֥ה
zeh
H2088
this
Pron
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Art | N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֨ית
shᵉlîyshîy
H7992
third
Art | N-fs
מִ/כֶּ֜ם
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
בָּאֵ֣י
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal
הַ/שַּׁבָּ֗ת
shabbâth
H7676
Sabbath
Art | N-cs
לַ/כֹּֽהֲנִים֙
kôhên
H3548
priest
Prep | N-mp
וְ/לַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Conj | Prep | Ngmpa
לְ/שֹֽׁעֲרֵ֖י
shôwʻêr
H7778
gatekeeper
Prep | N-mp
הַ/סִּפִּֽים
çaph
H5592
basin
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 23:4
זֶ֥ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Art | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֨ית
shᵉlîyshîy
H7992
"third"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word means third in a sequence, like a third day or year. It is used in the Bible to describe time, rank, or quantity, such as the third day of creation in Genesis.
Definition: 1) third, one third, third part, third time 1a) ordinal number
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: third (part, rank, time), three (years old). See also: Genesis 1:13; 1 Kings 22:2; Isaiah 15:5.
מִ/כֶּ֜ם
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
בָּאֵ֣י
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
הַ/שַּׁבָּ֗ת
shabbâth
H7676
"Sabbath"
Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, as commanded by God in Exodus 20:8-11 and observed by the Israelites. It is a special day set apart for spiritual renewal and reflection, as Jesus taught in Matthew 12:1-14.
Definition: Sabbath 1a) sabbath 1b) day of atonement 1c) sabbath year 1d) week 1e) produce (in sabbath year)
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] every) sabbath. See also: Exodus 16:23; 2 Chronicles 2:3; Psalms 92:1.
לַ/כֹּֽהֲנִים֙
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
וְ/לַ/לְוִיִּ֔ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Conj | Prep | Ngmpa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
לְ/שֹֽׁעֲרֵ֖י
shôwʻêr
H7778
"gatekeeper"
Prep | N-mp
A gatekeeper or porter was a person responsible for guarding and maintaining a gate or door. This word is used to describe someone who controls access to a building or area. In the Bible, it is translated as doorkeeper or porter.
Definition: gatekeeper, porter
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: doorkeeper, porter. See also: 2 Samuel 18:26; 2 Chronicles 23:4; Nehemiah 13:5.
הַ/סִּפִּֽים
çaph
H5592
"basin"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a threshold, like a door sill, or a container for holding liquids. It can also mean a gate or post. The KJV translates it as threshold or bason.
Definition: 1) a spreading out, basin, goblet, bowl 1a) basin, goblet
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate, post, threshold. See also: Exodus 12:22; 2 Chronicles 34:9; Isaiah 6:4.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 23:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Chronicles 23:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 23:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 23:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 23:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 23:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 23:4
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 23:4
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 23:4
- Sermons on 2 Chronicles 23:4
Context — Joash Anointed King of Judah
2So they went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah and the heads of the families of Israel. And when they came to Jerusalem,
3the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. “Behold, the king’s son!” said Jehoiada. “He must reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David.
4This is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath shall keep watch at the doors,
5a third shall be at the royal palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate, while all the others are to be in the courtyards of the house of the LORD. 6No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 23:3–6 | The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000. “Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges, 4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.” Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 26:13–16 | They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons. The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway fell to Shuppim and Hosah. There were guards stationed at every watch. |
| 3 | Luke 1:8–9 | One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 24:3–6 | With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar. Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants. The scribe, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar, and then one from Ithamar. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 9:25 | Their relatives came from their villages at fixed times to serve with them for seven-day periods. |
2 Chronicles 23:4 Summary
In 2 Chronicles 23:4, we see the priests and Levites being given specific instructions on how to serve and protect the temple and the king. This teaches us about the importance of organization, preparation, and vigilance in our service to God. Just as the priests and Levites had to be ready to serve on the Sabbath, we should always be ready to serve God, whether in our daily lives or in ministry, as seen in Romans 12:1 and 1 Peter 4:10. By being diligent and watchful, we can fulfill our roles in God's plan and glorify Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the priests and Levites to 'come on duty on the Sabbath' in 2 Chronicles 23:4?
This refers to the scheduled rotations of the priests and Levites for serving at the temple, as described in 1 Chronicles 24:1-19 and 1 Chronicles 25:1-31, which included working on the Sabbath day to maintain the temple's operations and worship services.
Why were the priests and Levites divided into thirds for different tasks in 2 Chronicles 23:4?
This division was likely for security and logistical purposes, ensuring that the temple and the king were protected, as seen in 2 Chronicles 23:5, while also allowing for the continuation of worship services, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:6, and as commanded in Deuteronomy 12:10-11.
What can we learn from the organization and planning of the priests and Levites in 2 Chronicles 23:4?
We can learn the importance of being prepared, organized, and diligent in our service to God, as taught in 1 Corinthians 14:40 and Colossians 3:23-24, recognizing that our roles, whether in ministry or in daily life, are part of a larger plan to glorify God and serve His people.
How does the command to keep watch at the doors relate to spiritual vigilance?
Keeping watch at the doors can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual vigilance, reminding us to be watchful over our hearts and minds, as warned in Matthew 26:41 and 1 Peter 5:8, to prevent the entrance of sin and to maintain a holy and reverent attitude in our walk with God.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'doors' in my life that need constant vigilance to prevent the entrance of evil or distraction from my service to God?
- How can I apply the principle of being 'on duty' in my own spiritual life, ensuring that I am always ready to serve and worship God?
- In what ways can I divide my time and energy to ensure that I am fulfilling my responsibilities to God, my family, and my community, as the priests and Levites did in 2 Chronicles 23:4-6?
- What does it mean for me to be 'consecrated' for God's service, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:6, and how can I live a life that is set apart for Him?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 23:4
[See comments on 2 Chronicles 23:1].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 23:4
This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors; This is the thing that ye shall do.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 23:4
Both that of Sur, , and other doors adjoining or leading to it.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 23:4
2 Chronicles 23:4 This [is] the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, [shall be] porters of the doors;Ver. 4. This is the thing that ye shall do.] See 2 Kings 11:9. Entering on the sabbath day.] The better day the better deed.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 23:4
(4) This is the thing that ye shall do.—2 Kings 11:5 : “And he charged them saying, This is the thing,” (&c. There he charges the captains of the guard as being the leaders of the conspiracy. A third.—The third. So 2 Chronicles 23:5. “The third of you who come in on the Sabbath” is read also in 2 Kings 11:5. The chronicler has added the explanatory words: “belonging to the priests and to the Levites.” This can hardly be harmonised with 2 Kings 12:4-12 - The chronicler may have misunderstood the words, which in the older account designate the royal guard; and it might have appeared to him impossible that any but members of the sacred orders would be called together in the Temple by the high priest. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 23:5-6 with 2 Kings 11:4 : “brought them into the house of the Lord.”) But he may also have had before him an account in which the part taken by the sacerdotal caste in the revolution was made much more of than m the account of Kings. Moreover the priests and Levites would be likely to play a considerable part in a movement tending to the overthrow of a cultus antagonistic to their own, especially when that movement originated with their own spiritual head, and was transacted in the sanctuary to which they were attached. The chronicler, therefore, cannot with fairness be accused of “arbitrary alterations,” unless it be presupposed that his sole authority in writing this account was the Second Book of Kings. The priests and Levites used to do duty in the Temple from Sabbath to Sabbath, so that one course relieved another at the end of each week. (See 1 Chronicles 24; Luke 1:5.) That the companies of the royal guards succeeded each other on duty in the same fashion is clear from the parallel narrative.
Shall be porters of the doors.—Warders of the thresholds, that is, of the Temple (1 Chronicles 9:19; 1 Chronicles 9:22). 1 Kings 11:5 says: “The third of you that come in on the Sabbath, they shall keep the guard of the king’s house; “the latter part of which answers to the first sentence of the next verse: “And the third part (shall be) at the king’s house.” The king’s “house” in Kings means the royal palace; the chronicler appears to mean by it his temporary dwelling within the Temple precincts.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 23:4
4. This is the thing that ye shall do] The main features of the arrangement as given here and in 2 Kin. are clear, although some details are obscure. From Kings it appears that it was the custom on the Sabbath for two-thirds of the royal guards to be free and for one-third to be on duty at the palace. In order to avoid arousing suspicion this last third was, according to Jehoiada’s directions, to be at the palace as usual, but it was to be subdivided into thirds and so distributed as to close the various means of communication between the palace and the rest of the city. Thus Athaliah was to be held as in a trap by her own guards (2 Kings 11:5-6). The two-thirds who were free from duty on the Sabbath were to be stationed in the Temple about the young king to guard him at his coronation. The arrangements are differently (and no doubt less accurately) stated in Chron. In the first place Levitical Temple guards take the place of the royal guards, secondly, the only division of the guards recognised is a simple division into thirds, finally, the stations of the different divisions are differently given, viz., one-third in the Temple, one-third in the palace, and one-third at “the gate of the foundation.” Using the modern terms “battalion” and “company” for the divisions and subdivisions given in Kings, the arrangements may be stated in a form which allows easy comparison between Kings and Chron., as fallows:— (A) 2 Kings 11:5-7. (Royal guards in three battalions.) 1st battalion on duty at the king’s house (palace). A company within the palace (2 Chronicles 23:5), B company at the gate of Sur (SVR Heb.), C company at another gate (“behind the guard,” 2 Chronicles 23:6). 2nd and 3rd battalions off duty, but brought into the house of the Lord (the Temple) by Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 23:7).
(B) 2 Chronicles 23:4-5. (Levites in three bands.) Band I. (= 1st battalion C company of 2 Kin.) in the house of God, the Chronicler supposing that “the house” (2 Kings 11:6) means the house of the Lord. More probably it means “the house of the king” (2 Kings 11:5). Band II. (= 1st battalion A company of 2 Kin.) at the king’s house (so 2 Kin.). Band III. (= 1st battalion B company of 2 Kin.) at the gate of “the foundation” (JSVD Heb.). (The Chronicler passes over the 2nd and 3rd battalions, because he has already assigned their duty to 1st battalion C company.) of the priests and of the Levites] Not in Kings. The words are a mistaken gloss of the Chronicler, for it is clear that in Kings lay guards are meant. porters of the doors] R.V. mg., of the thresholds, i.e. of the Temple acc. to the Chronicler, for the word for “doors” (or “thresholds,” sippim in Heb.) is always used for the thresholds of some sanctuary, e.g.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 23:4
The writer of Chronicles relates the orders that were given to the Levites, the author of Kings those received by the royal body-guard (2 Kings 11:5 note).
Sermons on 2 Chronicles 23:4
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Champion Reflexes by Tim Dilena | This sermon emphasizes the importance of living as champions for Christ, highlighting the need for faithfulness, purity, and prayer as part of a daily regimen to prepare for spirit |