Lives of Scripture

Elishaphat son of Zichri was one of five commanders of hundreds whom Jehoiada the priest brought into a covenant to end the reign of Athaliah, the usurping queen who had seized Judah's throne after murdering the rest of the royal family -- all but the infant Joash, hidden in the temple for six years (2 Chronicles 22:10-23:1). In the seventh year, Jehoiada "took courage" and made this covenant with Elishaphat and four other commanders -- Azariah, Ishmael, Azariah, and Maaseiah -- who then went throughout Judah gathering Levites and family heads to Jerusalem (23:1-2). The assembled leaders made a covenant with the young king in God's house, and Jehoiada organized armed guards at every entrance of the temple to protect him (23:3-7). The Levites and all Judah did exactly as Jehoiada commanded; the boy was brought out, given the crown and the testimony, anointed, and proclaimed king to shouts of "Long live the king!" (23:8-11). When Athaliah heard the noise and rushed into the temple crying "Treason! Treason!," Jehoiada ordered her taken out and put to death, and the covenant people renewed their commitment to the LORD, tearing down the temple of Baal (23:12-17). Elishaphat's willingness to risk his life entering this covenant was decisive in preserving David's line -- through which Judah's promised King would one day come.