Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 11:17

"And Jehoiada made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, that they should be Jehovah`s people; between the king also and the people." — 2 Kings 11:17 (ASV)

A covenant. —Rather, the covenant. The high priest solemnly renewed the original compact between Jehovah and the king and people—a compact that had been violated by the Baal-worship of recent reigns.

That they should be the Lord’s people. —(Exodus 19:5–6).

Between the king also and the people. —For the protection of their mutual rights and prerogatives (Compare 1 Samuel 10:25). The king was bound to govern according to the law of Jehovah—the testimony that had been put upon him (2 Kings 11:12). (Compare Note on 2 Chronicles 23:16). The people were to be loyal to the house of David.