23:1-2 Corruption and faithlessness swept the kingdom of Judah but was not complete in silencing the few still faithful to God. A man named Jehoiada remained motivated to restore the kingdom back to God through David's family line. Jehoiada's wife had rescued baby Joash, the rightful king, in the previous chapter. Together, the couple united under God to rebel against the evil queen Athaliah.
They were not alone. Jehoiada had spent years organizing a rebellion force; added to his strength were Ishmael, Azariah, Maaseiah, and Elishaphat. The men traveled around Judah gathering Levites and people who were still faithful to God.
23:3 In Jerusalem, Jehoiada revealed the gathered group that although it was believed that all of the king's children were killed, one of them was still alive. Jehoiada and Jehoshabeath had raised Joash in secret, guarding his identity, for six years. He was only seven years old but Athaliah's reign was so crooked, it was necessary for the rebellion to occur as soon as possible.
23:4-7 After the revelation of a rightful king, Jehoiada organized the rebellion for the day of the Sabbath. The king would be protected and all faithful people would be kept out of the area under attack.
23:8-11 With implements from the house of God, the faithful rebels were armed with all they would need to have victory over evil. God will always provide us the tools and materials we need to deconstruct and remove evil. It requires commitment to faith and justice. It requires courage and adherence to God's will, but if we have that, we have everything we need to triumph.
23:12-13 Athaliah heard the commotion of the anointing of the rightful king and panicked angrily.
23:14-15 Jehoiada gave orders for Athaliah to be captured, but not killed in the house of the Lord.
23:16-19 Jehoiada, the people and the new king all made a commitment to be God's people. To be righteous. Afterward, they tore down the structures of idol worship. Jehoiada appointed faithful men to positions within the house of the Lord, in effort that the word of God would be properly taught and followed.
23:20-21 The kingdom of Judah was reestablished from top to bottom, corruption uprooted. Judah rejoiced at the death of the evil Athaliah and at the restoration of the throne to a descendant of David. Corruption and contempt and idolatry weighed heavily on the kingdom; people rejoiced at the prospect of returning to the God who gave them peace and rest.
