2 Chronicles 23:5

Verse

a third shall be at the royal palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate, while all the others are in the courtyards of the house of the LORD.

American Standard Version (1901)

and a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English

And a third are to be stationed at the king's house; and a third at the doorway of the horses: while all the people are waiting in the open spaces round the house of the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

A third part of you that come to the sabbath, of the priests, and of the Levites, and of the porters, shall be at the gates: and a third part at the king’s house: and a third at the gate that is called the Foundation: but let all the rest of the people be in the courts of the house of the Lord.

Free Bible Version

Another third shall go over to the king's palace, while the last third shall be at the Foundation Gate. Everyone else stay in the courtyards of the Lord's Temple.

Geneva Bible 1599

And another third part towarde the Kings house, and another thirde part at the gate of the foundation, and al the people shalbe in the courts of the house of the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

And a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

Translation for Translators

One-third of you must guard the king’s palace, and one-third of you must guard the Foundation Gate. All the other people will be in the courtyards outside the temple.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Another third will be at the king's house, and the other third will be at the Foundation Gate. All the people will be in the courtyard of the house of Yahweh.

Noah Webster Bible

And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.

World English Bible

A third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation. All the people will be in the courts of Yahweh’s house.

Young's Literal Translation

and the third [are] at the house of the king, and the third at the gate of the foundation, and all the people [are] in the courts of the house of Jehovah.

Context

Joash Anointed King of Judah

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 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.

Sermons

The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus.

F.B. Meyer

Summary

In 2 Chronicles 23:5, we see the instructions given by the high priest Jehoiada to the Levites and the people of Judah to protect King Joash and ensure his rightful place on the throne. This verse highlights the importance of upholding God's chosen leaders and preserving the line of David as part of God's covenant promises. It also reveals the commitment of Jehoiada and the Levites to safeguard the young king from threats to his reign, demonstrating their loyalty to God's appointed ruler. Ultimately, this verse showcases the faithfulness and obedience required to maintain the integrity of God's divine plan.

Commentary