2 Kings 11:4
And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.
2 Kings 11:4 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see the actions of Jehoiada, a priest who played a crucial role in the history of Judah. He sent for the rulers over hundreds, captains, and guards to the house of the Lord to make a covenant with them on behalf of King Joash, who was just a child at the time. By gathering these influential figures, Jehoiada ensured that there was a unified front to support and protect the young king, as he was too young to rule on his own. By taking an oath in the house of the Lord, Jehoiada and the leaders committed themselves to upholding the rights and duties of the king, ensuring his safety and the stability of the kingdom. This moment highlights the importance of loyalty, unity, and faith in times of crisis, as the leaders of Judah came together under God's watchful eye to secure the future of their nation.
Theological Overview
One way to interpret this verse theologically is to focus on the idea of covenant-making in the house of the LORD. Covenant-making was a common practice in the Old Testament, where agreements were made between God and His people or between individuals. In this particular instance, Jehoiada the priest gathers the rulers over hundreds, captains, and guards to make a covenant with them in the house of the LORD. This act symbolizes the importance of unity and loyalty within the community of believers. By taking an oath and making a covenant in the house of the LORD, Jehoiada is emphasizing the sacredness and seriousness of the agreement being made. This verse also highlights the importance of leadership and authority within the religious community, as the king's son is brought into the fold and shown to the assembled group. This act can be seen as a way to establish order and reaffirm the leadership structure within the community of believers.
2 Kings 11:4 in other translations
American Standard Version
And in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the house of Jehovah; and he made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of Jehovah, and showed them the king's son.
World English Bible
In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into Yahweh’s house; and he made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in Yahweh’s house, and showed them the king’s son.
Douay-Rheims
And in the seventh year Joiada sent, and taking the centurions and soldiers, brought them in to him into the temple of the Lord, and made a covenant with them: and taking an oath of them in the house of the Lord, shewed them the king's son:
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the seuenth yeere Iehoiada sent and tooke the captaines ouer hundreths, with other captaines and them of the garde, and caused them to come vnto him into the house of the Lord, and made a couenant with them, and tooke an othe of them in the house of the Lord, and shewed them the Kings sonne.