Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 23:11 (New Living Translation)

11 Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, shouting, “Long live the king!”

This is part of the (hi)story of the kings of Judah. Joash is a boy. Jehoiada the priest has kept him hidden from a ruthless queen who would have killed him if should could find him. Now it is time for the boy to be king.

Here is the ceremony: we have a crown as the symbol of ruling. We have an anointing which is what the Hebrews did. We have a proclamation of “Long live the king!” We have, uh, er, a copy of God’s laws. Hmm, what’s that last one? A copy of the laws? All those lists of Thou Shalt and Thou Shalt Not?

Isn’t the attorney general or the legal staff or someone supposed to keep that? Surely there are people whose job it is to keep up with that stuff. I mean, there is Jehoiada the priest to know those things, and Jehoiada did keep track and remind Joash of those things.

Why give the boy king a copy? Why not? It was important to read, know, and follow. We later read that Joash did follow these things as long as Jehoiada was alive to advise him. Afterwards, uh, it didn’t go well. I guess the man king Joash lost his copy or something.

God, please keep me in your law and love. Please guide me all the days of my life.