A covenant. — Rather, the covenant. The high priest solemnly renewed the original compact between Jehovah and the king and people — a compact which had been violated by the Baal-worship of recent reigns.
That they should be the Lord’s people. — Comp. Deuteronomy 4:20; Exodus 19:5-6.
Between the king also and the people. — For the protection of their mutual rights and prerogatives. (Comp. 1 Samuel 10:25.) The king was bound to govern according to the law of Jehovah — “the testimony” which had been put upon him (2 Kings 11:12). (Comp. Note on 2 Chronicles 23:16.) The people were to be loyal to the house of David.