2 Kings 11:12
Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, "Long live the king!"
Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son,

Jehoiada revealed Joash after hiding him in the temple for six years while Athaliah had seized Judah’s throne and murdered the royal heirs she could find. The survival of one child of David’s line displayed God’s faithfulness to His covenant with David. Though the royal house appeared nearly extinguished, the Lord preserved the heir through Jehosheba and Jehoiada.

2Ch 23:11 Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son…
2Sa 7:12-16 And when your days are fulfilled and you rest…

put the crown on him,

The crown publicly identified Joash as Judah’s rightful king and Athaliah as a usurper. David’s dynasty had not ended, for God had promised that David’s house and kingdom would endure before Him (2 Samuel 7:16). Joash’s restoration preserved the line through which the promised Messiah would ultimately come.

2Sa 12:30 Then he took the crown from the head of their king.…
Est 2:17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women…
Psa 21:3 For You welcomed him with rich blessings;…

presented him with the Testimony,

The Testimony was likely the covenant document or a copy of God’s Law placed in the king’s care. Israel’s king was not autonomous; he was to govern under the authority of the Lord and according to His revealed will. The presentation of the Law declared that the throne of David existed to serve God’s covenant purposes, not merely royal ambition.

Deu 17:18-20 When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write…
Deu 31:24-26 When Moses had finished writing in a book…
2Ki 22:8-13 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe,…

and proclaimed him king.

Jehoiada’s action formally restored lawful rule in Judah. The priest did not take the throne for himself but safeguarded the king whom God had preserved. The coronation united the priesthood, the military commanders, and the people around the Davidic heir and prepared the way for Athaliah’s removal.

1Ki 1:34-35 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet…
2Ki 9:13 Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu…

They anointed him,

The anointing consecrated Joash for kingship and marked him as set apart for the Lord’s service. Israel’s anointed kings pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the Messiah (the Anointed One), the true Son of David, whose reign will never be threatened or ended.

1Sa 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head…
1Sa 16:13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him…
2Ki 9:6 So Jehu got up and went into the house.…

and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!”

The people rejoiced because the rightful king had been restored and Athaliah’s corrupt rule was ending. Their acclamation expressed loyalty to Joash and hope for the renewal of Judah under the covenant God had made with David.

1Ki 1:39-40 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle.…
1Sa 10:24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one…
Psa 47:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoiada
A high priest who played a crucial role in preserving the Davidic line by protecting Joash and orchestrating his coronation.

2. Joash (Jehoash)
The young king who was hidden in the temple for six years to protect him from Queen Athaliah's murderous intentions.

3. Athaliah
The queen mother who usurped the throne of Judah and sought to destroy the royal family.

4. The Temple
The sacred place where Joash was hidden and later crowned, symbolizing God's protection and presence.

5. The Anointing and Coronation
The event where Joash was anointed as king, signifying God's chosen leadership and the restoration of rightful rule.
Teaching Points
Divine Protection and Providence
God's hand is evident in preserving the Davidic line through Joash, reminding us of His sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises.

The Role of Godly Leadership
Jehoiada's courage and faithfulness demonstrate the impact of godly leadership in guiding and protecting God's people.

The Importance of Anointing
The anointing of Joash signifies God's choice and empowerment, encouraging us to seek God's anointing in our own lives for His purposes.

Restoration and Renewal
Joash's coronation marks a renewal of rightful leadership, inspiring us to seek restoration in areas of our lives where God's order needs to be reestablished.

Celebration of God's Faithfulness
The people's rejoicing at Joash's coronation reflects the joy of witnessing God's promises fulfilled, prompting us to celebrate God's work in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoiada's role in Joash's coronation inspire us to act courageously in our own spheres of influence?

2. In what ways can we seek God's anointing in our daily lives, and how does this passage encourage us to do so?

3. How does the preservation of the Davidic line through Joash point to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?

4. What parallels can we draw between Joash's coronation and the anointing of Jesus as King, and how does this deepen our understanding of Christ's kingship?

5. How can we apply the principles of restoration and renewal seen in Joash's account to areas of our lives that need God's order and leadership?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 10:1
The anointing of Saul as king, which parallels the anointing of Joash, highlighting the divine appointment of leaders.

Psalm 2:6-7
The declaration of God's chosen king, reflecting the divine legitimacy of Joash's rule.

2 Chronicles 23:11
A parallel account of Joash's coronation, providing additional details and affirming the importance of the event.

Exodus 25:16
The reference to the "Testimony" given to Joash, connecting to the Ark of the Covenant and God's law.

Isaiah 9:6-7
The prophecy of a righteous king, foreshadowing the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the eternal King.
The Preservation and Coronation of JoashC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 11:1-16
AthaliahJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 11:1-21
Malign SuccessionChristian Commonwealth2 Kings 11:1-21
The History of AthaliahDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 11:1-21
The History of AthaliahD. Thomas 2 Kings 11:1-21
The Coronation of JoashJ. Orr 2 Kings 11:4-21
People
Ahaziah, Athaliah, Carians, Carites, David, Jehoash, Jehoiada, Jehoram, Jehosheba, Joash, Joram, Mattan
Places
Samaria, Sur
Topics
Anoint, Anointed, Arm-bands, Bringeth, Clapped, Copy, Covenant, Crown, Forth, Hands, Holy, Insignia, Joy, King's, Making, Oil, Presented, Proclaimed, Putteth, Save, Shouted, Smite, Sounds, Testimony
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 11:12

     2230   Messiah, coming of
     5142   clapping
     5158   head-covering
     5280   crown
     5335   herald
     7304   anointing
     7377   high priest, OT

2 Kings 11:1-16

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Kings 11:1-21

     5487   queen

2 Kings 11:11-12

     5156   hand

2 Kings 11:12-14

     5443   pillars

Library
Jehoiada and Joash
'And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. 2. But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. 3. And he was with her hid in the house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land. 4. And the seventh year Jehoiada
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

New Uses for Old Trophies
The matter I shall speak to you about to-night will lie under four heads. We will give them to you as they occur to us. I. And the first is this, IT IS WELL FOR US TO HANG ALL OUR TROPHIES IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. We, too, are warriors. Every genuine Christian has to fight. Every inch of the way between here and heaven we shall have to fight, for as hitherto every single step of our pilgrimage has been one prolonged conflict. Sometimes we have victories, a presage of that final victory, that perfect
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner of Adversity is to be Despised, and Prosperity Feared.
So much, then, have we briefly said, to shew how great is the weight of government, lest whosoever is unequal to sacred offices of government should dare to profane them, and through lust of pre-eminence undertake a leadership of perdition. For hence it is that James affectionately deters us, saying, Be not made many masters, my brethren (James iii. 1). Hence the Mediator between God and man Himself--He who, transcending the knowledge and understanding even of supernal spirits, reigns in heaven
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Kings 11:12 NIV
2 Kings 11:12 NLT
2 Kings 11:12 ESV
2 Kings 11:12 NASB
2 Kings 11:12 KJV

2 Kings 11:12 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Kings 11:11
Top of Page
Top of Page