2 Chronicles 23
No other reign affords a more absolute contrast between its beginning and its end than that of Joash in Chronicles. One particular detail, contrasting with all we have noticed up to this point, is that in the history of Joash the evil is mentioned more often than the good, whereas the second book of Kings omits a portion of it. The explanation of this fact is simple: The beginning of the reign of Joash is presented to us as an attempt to accomplish God's counsels as to the kingdom. Will he prove himself worthy of the divine favor resting upon him? If so, the king according to God's counsels will be called Joash. As we shall learn, this was not the case, but the beginnings of this reign were so favored that they seemed close to fulfilling the thoughts of God.
Another point is brought to light in our chapter. The proclamation of the kingdom does not take place without the Levitical priesthood being re-established in all its functions (2 Chron. 23:1-9), for it is inseparable from the kingdom according to God's counsels and is subordinated to it. Moreover, the high priesthood in the person of Jehoiada is intimately associated with the kingdom and this association is one of the remarkable features of Chronicles, although the kingdom and the priesthood are not here invested in the same person as they will be when Christ "shall be a priest upon His throne" (Zech. 6:13). Here the entire Levitical priesthood is present at the anointing and coronation of the king (2 Chron. 23:8). All the captains also unite at this solemn ceremony; and all the people are present, too. Every man bears David's weapons (2 Chron. 23:9) and thus the reign of Joash is directly related to that of David, who was rejected in former days.
"And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And [Jehoiada] said to them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as Jehovah has said of the sons of David" (2 Chron. 23:3). After this the entire priestly service is reinstated (2 Chron. 23:18-19), and the king, who has been given the crown and the testimony — the king, whose reign of righteousness accomplishes all that is written in the law — sits on the throne of his kingdom. He reigns "as Jehovah has said of the sons of David"; he is "the king's son"; he is the Anointed, acclaimed by all with the cry: Long live the king! He is really in type the Prince of life!
This glorious scene is established only through vengeance. Athaliah, that idolatrous usurper of the kingdom who had thought to put an end to David's family forever, falls before the revived kingdom together with all the idolatry she had instituted. In the same way, the Antichrist, a murderer, persecutor and idolater, will fall along with all his power before the revived kingdom at the refreshing dawn of the miraculous reign of the Son of David. Rejoicing and singing are the happy accompaniment of this scene.