And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.

2 KINGS 11:17KJV
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2 Kings 11:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 11:17 mean?

2 Kings 11:17 describes how Jehoiada, the priest, made a formal agreement—called a covenant—between the LORD, the new king, and the people, committing everyone to belong to the LORD and to work together under the king’s leadership. This act publicly re-established the people’s relationship with God and set the terms for how the king and people would relate to each other.

Jehoiada is acting as a spiritual and community leader after a time of crisis, bringing the nation back to faithfulness after the evil reign of Athaliah. The covenant is not just between God and the people, but also includes the king, showing that everyone, including the ruler, is accountable to God and to each other. This moment marks a fresh start for the nation’s leadership and religious life.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 11:17

  • בְּרִית (berit, “covenant”): This word means a binding agreement or treaty. In this context, it is a solemn commitment involving God, the king, and the people, showing that their relationship is not casual but deeply serious and formal.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, “the LORD”): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that the covenant is with the specific God who brought them out of Egypt, not just any deity.
  • עָם (am, “people”): This word refers to the whole community of Israel, highlighting that the covenant includes everyone, not just leaders or priests.
  • מֶלֶךְ (melek, “king”): The inclusion of the king in the covenant shows that even the highest authority in the land is under God’s rule and part of the community’s commitment.

Why 2 Kings 11:17 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that the king ruled independently; instead, it shows that the king, people, and God were all bound together by mutual promises.
  • It highlights Jehoiada’s role in restoring true worship and proper leadership after a period of chaos and idolatry.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by marking a turning point: the nation is being re-centered around God’s covenant, which will shape the events that follow.

Where else these words appear

“Jehoiada” Hebrew H3077 · used in 48 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 1 Kings 4:4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
  • 2 Chronicles 23:9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.