2 Chronicles 23:2

“chief of all the fathers of Israel--This name is frequently used in Chronicles for Judah and Benjamin, now all that remained of Israel. Having cautiously entrusted the secret of the young prince's preservation to all the leading men in the kingdom, he enlisted their interest in the royal cause and got their pledge to support it by a secret oath of fidelity. they came to Jerusalem--The time chosen for the grand discovery was, probably, one of the annual festivals, when there was a general concourse of the nation at the capital.”

“Jehoiada was unwilling to trust the success of the revolution wholly and entirely to the royal body-guard. Accordingly, the captains collected from the cities of Judah a strong body of Levites and the chief of the fathers of Israel (i. e. “Judah,” see 2 Chronicles 20:34 note) who were brought up to Jerusalem. return to 'Top of Page'”

“went about: Psa 112:5; Mat 10:16; Eph 5:15 the chief of: Houbigant omits the words of Israel. Bp. Patrick, however, is of the opinion that Judah is here called by the general name of Israel, but it is probable, that these "chief fathers of Israel," were the descendants of those priests and Levites, and other pious persons of the ten tribes, who left their cities and possessions, and joined themselves to Judah, in the days of Jeroboam. See the parallel passages. Ch2 11:13-17; Ch1 15:12, Ch1 24:6 2 Chronicles 23:3”