2 Chronicles 23:8

Verse

So the Levites and all Judah did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions.

American Standard Version (1901)

So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.

Bible in Basic English

So the Levites and all Judah did as Jehoiada the priest had given them orders: every one took with him his men, those who were to come in and those who were to go out on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada had not sent away the divisions.

Douay-Rheims 1899

So the Levites, and all Juda did according to all that Joiada the high priest bad commanded: and they took every one his men that were under him, and that came in by the course of the sabbath, with those who had fulfilled the sabbath, and were to go out. For Joiada the high priest permitted not the companies to depart, which were accustomed to succeed one another every week.

Free Bible Version

The Levites and all the people of Judah did everything that Jehoiada the priest told them. The commanders each brought his men, both those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty, for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed any of the divisions.

Geneva Bible 1599

So the Leuites and all Iudah did according to all things that Iehoiada the Priest had commanded, and tooke euery man his men that came on the Sabbath, with them that went out on the Sabbath: for Iehoiada the Priest did not discharge the courses.

King James (Authorized) Version

So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.

Translation for Translators

So the descendants of Levi and all the men of Judah did what Jehoiada had told them. He did not allow anyone to go home after having finished his work on that Sabbath day. Each commander took charge of his men, the ones who were finishing their work on that day and those who were starting their work on that day.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So the Levites and all Judah served in every way in the manner in which Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one took his men, those who were to come in to serve on the Sabbath, and those who were to leave off serving on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed any of their divisions.

Noah Webster Bible

World English Bible

So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. They each took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest didn’t dismiss the shift.

Young's Literal Translation

And the Levites and all Judah do according to all that Jehoiada the priest hath commanded, and take each his men going in on the sabbath, with those going out on the sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest hath not let away the courses.

Context

Joash Anointed King of Judah

⁷The Levites must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”⁸So the Levites and all Judah did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions.⁹Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the commanders of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields of King David that were in the house of God.

Sermons

The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus.

F.B. Meyer

Summary

In 2 Chronicles 23:8, we see the moment when King Jehoiada instructs the captains of hundreds to guard King Joash and put a stop to any unauthorized entry into the temple. This action was crucial in protecting the young king and ensuring the purity of worship in the house of the Lord. It reflects the importance of upholding God's commands and preserving the sanctity of His dwelling place. King Jehoiada's leadership in this situation demonstrates the need for vigilance and dedication in defending the faith and preventing corruption from infiltrating the worship of God.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

The account of the occupation of the temple thus arranged agrees with Kg2 11:9-11. Instead of המּאות שׂרי (Kings), in Ch2 23:8 are very fittingly named "the Levites (as in Ch2 23:5) and all Judah," viz., in its chiefs, since the high priest had assured himself of the support of the heads of the fathers'-houses of Israel (Ch2 23:2). Further, to the statement that those who were departing from the service also took part in the affair, it is added, "for Jehoiada had not dismissed the courses." המּחלקות are the divisions which, according to the arrangement made by David (1 Chron 24-26), had charge of the temple service at that time. To the captains Jehoiada gave the spears and shields which had been presented to the temple by David as offerings, because they had come into the temple without weapons; see on Kg2 11:10. ויּעמד, "and he caused the whole people to take position," is connected formally with ויּתּן, Ch2 23:9; while in Kg2 11:11, we have simply ויּעמדוּ.