2 Kings 11:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jehoiada establishes a threefold covenant binding the LORD, king, and people to each other.
The Context of 2 Kings 11:17
With Athaliah dead and Jehoash crowned, Jehoiada, the high priest who orchestrated the rescue and coronation, now formalizes the new covenant order. He does this as a public ceremony, with the priests, guards, and people of the land as witnesses (verses 11:14-15). This covenant encompasses both the vertical relationship (the people and king to the LORD) and the horizontal one (king and people to each other).
What Does 2 Kings 11:17 Mean?
A covenant is not a contract; it is a bond of belonging. By making a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people, Jehoiada reestablishes the foundation of Judah's identity: we are the LORD's people, bound to him and to one another through loyalty, obedience, and mutual care. This three-strand covenant mirrors the one Josiah will later renew (2 Kings 23:3) and echoes the pattern established at Mount Sinai. It is a public act, done before witnesses, so that the entire nation knows the terms and the stakes. The king is not above the covenant; he is bound by it alongside his people.
Jehoiada's act teaches us about spiritual leadership. A true shepherd does not grasp power for himself. He does the hard work of restoration, brings the rightful heir to prominence, and then steps back to establish a structure that honors both the LORD and the people. His covenant-making reminds us that our allegiance is never finally to one person but to the covenant we share with God and with each other. This is why the New Covenant in Christ's blood calls us to a new peoplehood, bound to God and to one another in Christ.
2 Kings 11:17 in the Original Language
berit (ברית), 'covenant' -- a solemn, binding agreement ratified by oath and often accompanied by a sign; here establishes the relational and moral framework for the kingdom.
How to Apply 2 Kings 11:17 Today
We live under the New Covenant. Our loyalty is to be to the LORD first, and our relationships with one another flow from that primary covenant. When we drift into treating church or community as a private good or a power structure, we forget the covenant that binds us. Jehoiada's example invites us to renew our covenant commitment: to see ourselves as the LORD's people, bound to each other in love and obedience, with leaders who serve the covenant rather than themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 11:17
What does 2 Kings 11:17 mean?
Jehoiada establishes a threefold covenant binding the LORD, king, and people to each other.
What is the context of 2 Kings 11:17?
With Athaliah dead and Jehoash crowned, Jehoiada, the high priest who orchestrated the rescue and coronation, now formalizes the new covenant order. He does this as a public ceremony, with the priests, guards, and people of the land as witnesses (verses 11:14-15). This covenant encompasses both the vertical relationship (the people and king to the LORD) and the horizontal one (king and people to each other).
How can I apply 2 Kings 11:17 today?
We live under the New Covenant. Our loyalty is to be to the LORD first, and our relationships with one another flow from that primary covenant. When we drift into treating church or community as a private good or a power structure, we forget the covenant that binds us. Jehoiada's example invites us to renew our covenant commitment: to see ourselves as the LORD's people, bound to each other in love and obedience, with leaders who serve the covenant rather than themselves.