2 Kings · Chapter 11

V. 1. She destroyed-This was the fruit of Jehoshaphat’s marrying his son to a daughter of that idolatrous house of Ahab. And this dreadful judgment God permitted upon him and his, to shew how much he abhors all such affinities.

Verse 1. Athaliah] This woman was the daughter of Ahab, and grand-daughter of Omri, and wife of Joram king of Judah, and mother of Ahaziah.

Destroyed all the seed royal.] All that she could lay her hands on whom Jehu had left; in order that she might get undisturbed possession of the kingdom.

How dreadful is the lust of reigning! it destroys all the charities of life; and turns fathers, mothers, brothers, and children, into the most ferocious savages! Who, that has it in his power, makes any conscience “To swim to sovereign rule through seas of blood?”

In what a dreadful state is that land that is exposed to political revolutions, and where the succession to the throne is not most positively settled by the clearest and most decisive law! Reader, beware of revolutions; there have been some useful ones, but they are in general the heaviest curse of God.

Verse 1. And destroyed all the seed royal — All of the royal family that had not been cut off by Jehu and others, except one, mentioned verse 2. To this wickedness she was impelled by many motives: 1st, By rage to see Ahab’s family destroyed, which made her resolve that the family of David should share the same fate. 2d, By ambition and desire of rule, to make way for which many persons have destroyed their nearest relations. 3d, By her zeal for idolatry and the worship of Baal, which she intended to establish, and to which she knew the house of David were implacable enemies. 4th, By a regard to her own defence, that, by getting into the throne, which she could not do without destroying the royal family, she might secure herself from Jehu’s fury, who, she understood, was resolved utterly to destroy all the branches of Ahab’s house, of which she was one. Possibly those whom she slew were Jehoram’s children by another wife. This was the fruit of Jehoshaphat’s marrying his son to a daughter of that idolatrous house of Ahab: and this dreadful judgment God permitted to come upon him and his, to show how much he abhors all such affinities. “The consideration of the fate,” says Dr. Dodd, “which attended these royal families, is sufficient to make one thankful to God for having been born of meaner parentage. The whole offspring of Jeroboam, Baasha, and Ahab, was cut off for their idolatry; and the kings of Judah, having contracted an affinity with the house of Ahab, and being by them seduced into the same crime, were so destroyed, by three successive massacres, that there was but one left: for first Jehoram slew all his brethren, then Jehu all his brother’s children, and now Athaliah destroys all the rest that her executioners can meet with.”

Verse 1. Athaliah, that is, wicked woman. She must have received this as a surname for her evil deeds; and justly did she merit the appellation, for she slew her grandsons at a tender age, and so cut off all the heirs of David’s house. In ages of tyranny and blood, such inhuman conduct was too frequently adopted.

ATHALIAH’S USURPATION, 1-3.

1. Destroyed all the seed royal — The ferocious Athaliah, a worthy daughter of the bloody Jezebel, acted at Jerusalem as queen mother, (see 1 Kings 15:10, 13, notes,) and probably exercised her royal functions during her son’s absence in Jezreel. As soon as she heard of Ahaziah’s death she resolved to usurp his throne, and, in perfect accordance with her own savage character, and the notions of the time as to making a throne secure, she secured the death, as she supposed, of all her grandchildren, and all the royal family who might claim a title to the throne. Her great authority and influence, as queen mother, explains the apparent ease with which she seems to have accomplished her purpose.

V. 2. They hid-Jehosheba and her husband Jehoiada.

Bed-chamber-Which was in the house of the Lord. So that it was one of those chambers adjoining to the temple, that were for the uses of the priests and Levites only: which made it more proper for this purpose. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life. And yet it did not fail. Thus to the Son of David will God, according to his promise, secure a spiritual seed: which tho’ sometimes reduced to a small number, brought very low, and seemingly lost, yet will be preserved to the end of time. It was a special providence that Joram tho’ a king, a wicked king, married his daughter to Jehoiada, a priest, an holy priest. This some might think a disparagement to the royal family; but it saved the royal family from ruin. For Jehoiada’s interest in the temple, gave her an opportunity to preserve the child: and her interest in the royal family, gave him an opportunity of setting him on the throne. See what blessings they lay up in store for their families who marry their children to those that are wise and good.

Verse 2. Daughter of-Joram, sister of Ahaziah] It is not likely that Jehosheba was the daughter of Athaliah; she was sister, we find, to Ahaziah the son of Athaliah, but probably by a different mother. The mother of Jehoash was Zibiah of Beer-sheba; see 2 Kings 12:1.

Verse 2. But Jehosheba — Called Jehoshabeath, 2 Chronicles 22:11; the daughter of King Joram — Namely, by another wife, and not by this Athaliah: for Athaliah would not have suffered her daughter to be married to the high-priest of the true God, nor would he, in all likelihood, have married the daughter of such an idolatrous woman. Stole him from among the king’s sons, &c. — Either took him from among the slain, he happening not to be quite despatched; or else secretly conveyed him away, before the execution was done. And they hid him — Jehosheba and her husband Jehoiada. And his nurse, in the bed-chamber — Which, according to the next verse, was in the house of the Lord: so that it was one of those chambers adjoining to the temple, that were for the uses of the priests and Levites only, which made it more proper for this purpose. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the son of David will God, according to his promise, secure a spiritual seed; which, though sometimes reduced to a small number, brought very low, and seemingly lost, yet will be preserved to the end of time. It was a special providence, that Joram, though a king, a wicked king, married his daughter to Jehoiada, a priest, a holy priest: this some might think a disparagement to the royal family, but it saved the royal family from ruin; for Jehoiada’s interest in the temple gave her an opportunity to preserve the child, and her interest in the royal family gave him an opportunity of setting him on the throne. See what blessings they lay up in store for their families, who marry their children to those that are wise and good.

2. Sister of Ahaziah — Probably a half sister, being Joram’s daughter by another wife than Athaliah. She was the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (2 Chronicles 22:11,) and this fact explains how he came to be hid in the temple. The bed-chamber — “The bed-chamber in the temple, in which Jehosheba hid Joash, does not seem to mean a lodging chamber, but a chamber used as a repository for beds. I am indebted to Sir John Chardin for this thought, which seems to be a just one; for the original words signify a chamber of beds, and the expression differs from that which is used when a lodging chamber is meant. He supposes that place is meant where beds are kept; for in the East, and particularly in Persia and Turkey, beds are not raised from the ground with bed posts, a canopy, and curtains; people lie on the ground. In the evening they spread out a mattress or two of cotton, very light, of which they have several in great houses, and a room on purpose for them.” — Harmer’s Observations.

Verse 3. He was-hid in the house of the Lord] This might be readily done, because none had access to the temple but the priests; and the high priest himself was the chief manager of this business.

Verse 3. He was hid with her six years — Probably Athaliah thought they were dead; or, if she suspected this child was preserved, she supposed an infant could do her no great harm; and that she could so well establish herself in the possession of the kingdom within a few years, that she need not fear any such weak competitor. And Athaliah did reign over the land — Which she had the better opportunity of doing, because she was not only the late king’s wife, but also, probably, made queen-regent upon Joram’s going to Ramoth-gilead.

3. Hid in the house of the Lord six years — Jehosheba’s husband being high priest, this concealment of her nephew Joash was the more safe.

V. 4. The house-Into the courts of that house, for into the house none but the priests or Levites might enter.

Verse 4. And the seventh year Jehoiada sent] He had certainly sounded them all, and brought them into the interests of the young king, before this time; the plot having been laid, and now ripe for execution, he brings the chief officers of the army and those of the body guard into the temple, and there binds them by an oath of secrecy, and shows them the king’s son, in whose behalf they are to rise.

Verse 4. With the captains and the guard — The chief commanders of the soldiery, and those that had been the former king’s guard; for it is not likely that he would dare to call the guard of the present queen: and it is probable that the former could not well brook the dominion of a woman, and that woman a foreigner. And brought them into the house of the Lord — Into the courts of that house; for into the house itself, strictly speaking, none but the priests or Levites might enter. And showed them the king’s son — He discovered to them the true heir of the crown, and they entered into a covenant to restore him, which they confirmed with an oath.

FALL OF ATHALIAH, AND ELEVATION OF JOASH TO THE THRONE, 4-21.

4. The seventh year — The seventh year of Joash’s age. Compare verse

21. Rulers over hundreds — Their names are given in 2 Chronicles 23:1, 2, together with the statement that the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief fathers of Israel, were gathered together at Jerusalem. These rulers of hundreds were probably officers of the army, having charge of a hundred men. Captains and the guard — Gesenius renders these words, executioners and runners; which composed an important part of the bodyguard of the king. Others explain the word rendered captains, yrk Carians, that is, the men of Caria, in Asia Minor, who, like the Cretans, were wont to serve as lifeguards to the ancient Asiatic rulers. See on Cherethites and Pelethites. 2 Samuel 8:18. Made a covenant… took an oath — These expressions explain each other. Jehoiada made a covenant with them by binding them under a solemn oath to help him carry out his plans of ruining Athaliah, and setting the youthful Joash on the throne. The high priest was wise enough to know that in carrying out a plan of so vast moment he must have the confidence and support of all the men of power. Athaliah’s regency was doubtless oppressive and unpopular, and the leading minds of the kingdom were glad to have it come to an end.

V. 5. Of you-Levites, who were distributed into twenty four courses, to minister in turns, each course consisting of about a thousand men for a week. Enter in-That come into the temple to attend your ministry. King’s house-Of that part which lead to the king’s palace, which Athaliah now possessed.

Verse 5. That enter in on the Sabbath] It appears that Jehoiada chose the Sabbath day to proclaim the young king, because as that was a day of public concourse, the gathering together of the people who were in this secret would not be noticed; and it is likely that they all came unarmed, and were supplied by Jehoiada with the spears and shields which David had laid up in the temple, 2 Kings 11:10.

The priests and Levites were divided into twenty-four classes by David, and each served a week by turns in the temple, and it was on the Sabbath that they began the weekly service, all this favoured Jehoiada’s design.

Verses 5, 6. A third part of you — Of the Levites, who were distributed into twenty-four courses, to minister in turns, each course consisting of about a thousand men for a week. That enter in, &c. — That come into the temple to attend your ministry. Shall be keepers of the king’s house — Of that part which led to the king’s palace, which Athaliah now possessed. A third part shall be at the gate of Sur — The chief gate of the temple, called the high gate, 2 Kings 15:35; the foundation gate, 2 Chronicles 23:5; the east gate, Jeremiah 19:2; the middle gate, Jeremiah 39:3; and the gate of entrance, Ezekiel 40:15. A third part at the gate behind the guard — Either, 1st, The king’s guard: or, 2d, The guard of the temple; this gate was in the south side. So shall ye keep, &c. — So you shall guard all the gates or entrances into the temple, that neither Athaliah nor any of her soldiers may break in.

5. This is the thing that ye shall do — This description (verses 5-14) of the arrangement of the Levite guards is obscure, and some parts of it difficult to harmonize with the parallel and fuller account in 2 Chronicles 23:4-13. The difficulty comes from our ignorance of some of the terms employed. The gate of Sur and the gate behind the guard are matters of conjecture, on which it is needless to posit a decided opinion. But so long as these gates are unknown, there must rest an obscurity upon the whole passage. We attempt merely to point out what seems to be the most natural and plausible meaning of the words. You that enter in on the sabbath — Those Levites whose turn to enter upon their week of service in the temple came on the particular Sabbath here indicated. The different kinds of service in which they were employed are described in 1 Chronicles 9:17-33, from which passage it appears that a large body of the Levites were constantly required in the temple, and that they relieved each other by turns, one company entering in on the Sabbath when another company, having filled their week, went forth. Verse 7. “By choosing the Sabbath day,” says Wordsworth, “and by retaining those of the Levitical course whose turn it was to retire from its allotted service, Jehoiada doubled the number of the official forces of the temple without exciting suspicion.” Shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house — The king’s house must certainly mean the royal palace, from which there was a magnificent passageway leading up to the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 10:5, note. A third part of the Levites here specified, instead of entering the temple as usual, were to stay outside, and guard this way to the royal residence, lest some satellite of Athaliah should discover or interrupt the plot. They are the ones who in 2 Chronicles 23:5 are to be at the king’s house.

V. 6. Sur-The chief gate of the temple. The guard-Either,

1. the king’s guard. Or,

2. the guard of the temple; this gate was in the south-side. So, &c.-So you shall guard all the gates or entrances into the temple that neither Athaliah nor any of her soldiers may break in.

Verses 5, 6. A third part of you — Of the Levites, who were distributed into twenty-four courses, to minister in turns, each course consisting of about a thousand men for a week. That enter in, &c. — That come into the temple to attend your ministry. Shall be keepers of the king’s house — Of that part which led to the king’s palace, which Athaliah now possessed. A third part shall be at the gate of Sur — The chief gate of the temple, called the high gate, 2 Kings 15:35; the foundation gate, 2 Chronicles 23:5; the east gate, Jeremiah 19:2; the middle gate, Jeremiah 39:3; and the gate of entrance, Ezekiel 40:15. A third part at the gate behind the guard — Either, 1st, The king’s guard: or, 2d, The guard of the temple; this gate was in the south side. So shall ye keep, &c. — So you shall guard all the gates or entrances into the temple, that neither Athaliah nor any of her soldiers may break in.

6. Gate of Sur — The same, doubtless, as the gate of the foundation, or gate of Yesod, in Chronicles. The exact locality of this gate cannot be decided, for it is nowhere mentioned again; but the most plausible supposition is, that it was the main entrance into the inner court of the temple. The gate behind the guard — To this corresponds porters of the doors, in Chronicles. The guard, according to verse 11, stood round about the king, and extended from the right to the left side of the temple, by the altar and temple, and the gate behind the guard would seem to be some well-known side or rear entrance into the court of the temple, from which an attack or annoyance might be expected. It is also likely that some of these might stand as porters of the doors of the temple, gate-keepers of the Lord’s house, whose position would naturally be behind the guard that encompassed the king. So shall ye keep the watch of the house — That is, all the three divisions just mentioned, by being stationed as described, shall guard all the approaches to the house of the Lord. That it be not broken down — The Hebrew for this sentence is all in one word, jsm, a defence; a driving off. This body of Levites were to serve as a defensive watch — a company of sentinels set to drive away all that might presume to interfere with the plans of the high priest Jehoiada.

V. 7. That go, &c.-Who having finished their course, should have gone home, but were detained, 2 Chronicles 23:8. Shall keep-While the rest guard the entrances into the temple; these shall have a special care of the king’s person.

Verses 7, 8. Two parts that go forth on the sabbath — Who, having finished their course, should have gone home, but were detained, 2 Chronicles 23:8. Shall keep — While the rest guard the entrances into the temple, these shall have a special care of the king’s person. Ye shall compass the king, &c. — When you have set your watches and guards, all the rest of you shall draw near to the king, to preserve his royal person from all assaults and dangers. He that cometh within the ranges — Or fences, the walls wherewith the courts of the temple were environed; or your ranks. If any of Athaliah’s guard shall attempt to break in upon you, or come within your bounds. As he goeth out, and as he cometh in — Whether the king shall go out of the temple to assault and subdue his enemies, or retire hither to defend himself, do you always accompany him.

7. Two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath — Those who went forth on the Sabbath were the course of Levites who were relieved on that day from their term of temple service by the coming in of another course. Instead of departing from the temple and returning home, as usual they were to form themselves into two parts or divisions, (literally, hands,) and to be the immediate bodyguard of the youthful king. Their particular duty is more fully given in verse 8, and they are identical with the guard mentioned in verse 11.

V. 8. Ranges-Or, fences, the wall wherewith the courts of the temple were environed.

Verses 7, 8. Two parts that go forth on the sabbath — Who, having finished their course, should have gone home, but were detained, 2 Chronicles 23:8. Shall keep — While the rest guard the entrances into the temple, these shall have a special care of the king’s person. Ye shall compass the king, &c. — When you have set your watches and guards, all the rest of you shall draw near to the king, to preserve his royal person from all assaults and dangers. He that cometh within the ranges — Or fences, the walls wherewith the courts of the temple were environed; or your ranks. If any of Athaliah’s guard shall attempt to break in upon you, or come within your bounds. As he goeth out, and as he cometh in — Whether the king shall go out of the temple to assault and subdue his enemies, or retire hither to defend himself, do you always accompany him.

8. The ranges — Ranks of armed men.

Ver. 9. On the sabbath. The throne is always safest in the arms of the church. Here is one of the completest plans ever devised.

(1) The venerable highpriest, surnamed the Blessed, aided by his sons, gained the officers of the guards by introducing them to the young king; and they knew already that he was hid in some place.

(2) As the soldiers went unarmed to devotion in the temple, he provided them with spears from the arsenal of the temple.

(3) He divided them into three companies to guard the king, and the two principal gates, where a small force could repel the idolaters.

(4) He crowned the young king in their presence, amid the liveliest effusions of loyalty and joy.

(5) He completed his work by destroying the bloody usurper, with the priest and temple of Baal. See his character, 2 Chronicles 24.

9. Every man his men — That is, each captain took charge of the band of Levites committed to his command by Jehoiada.

Verse 10. King David’s spears and shields] Josephus expressly says that David had provided an arsenal for the temple, out of which Jehoiada took those arms. His words are; Anoixav de Iwadov thn en tw ierw oploqhkhn, hn Dabidhv kateskeuase, diemerise toiv

ekatontarcaiv ama kai ieroisi kai Leuitaiv apanqJ osa euren en auth dorata te kai faretrav, kai ei ti eteron eidov oplou katelabe. “And Jehoiada having opened the arsenal in the temple, which David had prepared, he divided among the centurions, priests, and Levites, the spears, (arrows,) and quivers, and all other kinds of weapons which he found there.”-Ant. lib. ix., c. 7, s. 8.

Verse 10. To the captains did the priest give King David’s spears and shields — Offensive and defensive weapons, both for themselves and for all their soldiers; for they had all come into the temple unarmed, to prevent suspicion. These are called David’s, either because they were such as he had taken from his enemies, and had dedicated to God, and laid up in the temple as monuments of God’s goodness to him; or because he had made a sacred armory in the temple, whence arms might be taken upon extraordinary occasions, for the defence of the temple or city of God.

10. King David’s spears and shields — The trophies and relics of David’s many wars. These had been preserved as treasures in the temple. It would have excited suspicion if the captains and the Levites had entered the temple armed; hence they were supplied with the arms that were kept in the temple.

Verse 11. The guard stood from the right to the left corner of the temple — From the south-east to the north-east side. Along by the altar — Of burnt-offerings, which was by the great eastern gate of the temple. The meaning is, they defended the temple on all sides.

11. From the right corner of the temple to the left — This means, doubtless, that a rank or several ranks of armed Levites were stationed in a semicircle in front of the temple, extending from one side to the other. The king, whom they encompassed, probably occupied a position by one of the pillars, Jachin and Boaz, in front of the temple. 1 Kings 7:21. By the altar and the temple — Literally, to the altar and the house. Their ranks extended not only in a semicircular form around the king from one side of the temple to the other, but also reached to the altar of burnt offerings in the midst of the court, and to other parts of the temple also, besides the right and left corners. Chronicles adds, that besides these armed Levites with their officers, a multitude of the people were in the courts of the temple.

V. 12. Testimony-The book of the law, which he put into the king’s hand, to mind him of his duty at his entrance upon his kingdom, which was to read and write out that holy book, Deuteronomy 17:18, and to govern himself and his kingdom by it: the law of God being frequently and most properly called a testimony, because it is a witness of God’s will, and man’s duty.

Verse 12. Put the crown upon him] This was a diadem or golden band that went round the head.

And-the testimony] Probably the book of the law, written on a roll of vellum. This was his sceptre. Some think that it was placed upon his head, as well as the diadem. The diadem, the testimony, and the anointing oil, were essential to his consecration.

They clapped their hands] This I believe is the first instance on record of clapping the hands as a testimony of joy.

God save the king] Ëlmh yjy yechi hannmelech; May the king live! So the words should be translated wherever they occur.

Verse 12. And put the crown upon him — Having produced Joash, he put the crown on his head, which, it is likely, was kept in the sanctuary. And gave him the testimony — The book of the law, which he put into the king’s hand to remind him of his duty at his entrance upon his kingdom, which was to read and write out that holy book, (Deuteronomy 17:18,) and to govern himself and his kingdom by it; the law of God being frequently and most properly called a testimony, because it is a witness of God’s will, and man’s duty. They made him king, and anointed him — As was wont to be done in doubtful cases, when there was any competition or question about the crown, as now there was.

12. He brought forth the king’s son — The youthful Joash, now seven years old, having been for six of these years hid in the temple. Verse 3. And put the crown upon him — In the ceremony of crowning and anointing, Jehoiada, the high priest, officiated. Gave him the testimony — The laws of Moses, from which he might read and learn all the days of his life. Compare Deuteronomy 17:18, 19. God save the king — Compare 1 Samuel 10:24. note.

Verse 13. She came to the people — To inquire into the cause of this great noise; being hitherto kept in deep ignorance, because the affair was managed with so much secrecy, and in the temple; and because the people universally hated her, and wished her downfall. Into the temple of the Lord — That is, into the courts, into which, being a queen, she was permitted to enter, though contrary to the general order, verse 8. She seems, in her fright, to have come alone, or with but few attendants.

FALL OF ATHALIAH, AND ELEVATION OF JOASH TO THE THRONE, 4-21.

4. The seventh year — The seventh year of Joash’s age. Compare verse

21. Rulers over hundreds — Their names are given in 2 Chronicles 23:1, 2, together with the statement that the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief fathers of Israel, were gathered together at Jerusalem. These rulers of hundreds were probably officers of the army, having charge of a hundred men. Captains and the guard — Gesenius renders these words, executioners and runners; which composed an important part of the bodyguard of the king. Others explain the word rendered captains, yrk Carians, that is, the men of Caria, in Asia Minor, who, like the Cretans, were wont to serve as lifeguards to the ancient Asiatic rulers. See on Cherethites and Pelethites. 2 Samuel 8:18. Made a covenant… took an oath — These expressions explain each other. Jehoiada made a covenant with them by binding them under a solemn oath to help him carry out his plans of ruining Athaliah, and setting the youthful Joash on the throne. The high priest was wise enough to know that in carrying out a plan of so vast moment he must have the confidence and support of all the men of power. Athaliah’s regency was doubtless oppressive and unpopular, and the leading minds of the kingdom were glad to have it come to an end.

Verse 14. The king stood by a pillar] Stood ON a pillar or tribunal; the place or throne on which they were accustomed to put the kings when they proclaimed them.

Treason, Treason.] rvq rvq kesher, kasher; A conspiracy, A conspiracy! from kashar, to bind, unite together.

Verse 14. Behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was — It is generally supposed that the royal throne was erected near one of the pillars, described 1 Kings 7:15, 21, unless we may suppose that what is here called a pillar was that brazen scaffold five cubits long, &c., which Solomon made at first on his dedicating the temple, (2 Chronicles 6:13,) and which was afterward continued for the king to appear upon on solemn occasions, and where, doubtless, there was a throne of state. See Calmet.

14. The king stood by a pillar — Probably, as we have suggested above, (note on verse 11,) by one of the great pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which supported the front of the temple. By the side of one of these pillars Jehoiada had erected a platform something like that on which Solomon stood when he dedicated the temple; (2 Chronicles 6:13;) and upon such platform the young king would stand in full view of all the people in the court. Gesenius and others take dwm[, pillar, in the sense of platform, but this is unnecessary, and the word, though of frequent occurrence, has nowhere else such a meaning.

V. 15. Host-Of these companies of Levites, who are elsewhere called the Lord’s host, and now were the king’s host.

Verse 15. Have her forth] She had pressed in among the guards into the temple.

And him that followeth] The person who takes her part, let him instantly be slain.

Verse 15. Jehoiada commanded the officers of the host — Of those companies of Levites, who are elsewhere called the Lord’s host, and now were the king’s host. Have her forth without the ranges — Through which they had suffered her to come. If she will not go out of them of her own accord, force her out of them. And him that followeth her, kill with the sword — If any of the people that shall come hither on this occasion, shall stand up for her help, let them be slain. Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord — That is, in the court of the temple, lest it be polluted with her blood.

15. Without the ranges — See ver. 8. Him that followeth her — That is, him that presumes to take her part and defend her. Not be slain in… house of the Lord — The high priest would not have the temple stained with human blood.

Verse 16. By the way-which the horses came] They probably brought her out near the king’s stables. It has been supposed, from Ezekiel 46:1, 2, that the east gate of the inner court was that by which the king entered on the Sabbath day, whereas on all other days he entered by the south gate. And there was another gate, called the horse gate, in the wall of the city, (Jeremiah 31:40,) for the king’s horses to go out at from the stables at Millo, which is therefore called, 2 Chronicles 23:15, the horse gate toward the king’s house.

Verse 16. They laid hands on her — The Hebrew, µydy hl wmvy, Jashimu lah jadaim, may be properly rendered, Then they gave her room, or left her a free passage to depart out of the temple. Thus Houbigant, after the Chaldee. And she went by the way, &c. — By the great public road, by which horses and chariots went to the palace. And there was she slain — In an ignominious place and manner, as her mother Jezebel had been.

16. The way by the which the horses came into the king’s house — The Chronicles calls the place “the entering of the horse gate, by the king’s house.” Some have inclined to identify this with “the horse gate” of Nehemiah 3:28, and Jeremiah 31:40. Its location is unknown, but seems to have been somewhere near the palace. Perhaps the design of slaying her at the entrance to the royal stables was, that, like her mother Jezebel, she might be also trampled under foot by horses. Compare 2 Kings 9:33.

V. 17. A covenant-A sacred covenant whereby he solemnly engaged both the king, and people, that they should be the Lord’s people; that they should renounce, and root out all idolatry, and set up and maintain God’s true worship. Between the king-This was a civil covenant, whereby the king engaged himself to rule them justly, and in the fear of God; and the people obliged themselves to defend and obey him.

Verse 17. Jehoiada made a covenant] A general covenant was first made between the Lord, the Supreme King, the king his viceroy, and the people, that they should all be the Lord’s people; each being equally bound to live according to the Divine law.

Then, secondly, a particular covenant was made between the king and the people, by which the king was bound to rule according to the laws and constitution of the kingdom, and to watch and live for the safety of the public. And the people were bound on their part, to love, honour, succour, and obey the king. Where these mutual and just agreements are made and maintained, there can be nothing else than prosperity in the Church and the state.

Verse 17. Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, &c. — A sacred covenant, whereby he solemnly engaged both the king and people, that they should be the Lord’s people — That they should renounce and root out all idolatry, and set up and maintain God’s true worship. Between the king also and the people — This was a civil covenant, whereby the king engaged himself to rule them justly, and in the fear of God; and the people obliged themselves to defend and obey him. Compare 2 Samuel 5:3.

17. Jehoiada made a covenant — Having succeeded thus far in reforming the kingdom, he would next renew the covenant with Jehovah. He made, in fact, two covenants: first, between the Lord and the king and the people, which involved their returning as a nation from Baal worship to the obedience and worship of the Lord; secondly, between the king also and the people, which involved that they would sacredly regard the duties and respect each party owed the other. The king must rule righteously, the people cheerfully obey.

Verse 18. His altars and images brake they in pieces] It is probable that Athaliah had set up the worship of Baal in Judah, as Jezebel had done in Israel; or probably it had never been removed since the days of Solomon. It was no wonder that Jehoiada began his reform with this act, when we learn from 2 Chronicles 24:7, that the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim.

Verse 18. All the people went into the house of Baal — They began immediately to make good their covenant in part, by destroying the worship of Baal, which had been introduced in Judah by Jehoram, (2 Kings 8:18,) and was continued by Ahaziah, verse 27. And slew the priest of Baal before the altars — To which possibly he fled for refuge, or rather he was brought thither as a fit sacrifice to his god. The priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord — To see that the service was regularly performed by the proper persons, in due time, and according to the instituted manner. See the margin.

18. Went into the house of Baal — So firmly had the worship of Baal fastened itself upon the whole Israelitish nation that Jerusalem, as well as Samaria, had its temple to this god. Jehu destroyed the Baal worship in Samaria, (compare 2 Kings 10:18-28;) Jehoiada and his adherents that in Jerusalem. Appointed officers over the house of the Lord — Reorganized the temple service, which had been partially interrupted and disturbed by the revolution effected in the kingdom.

Verses 19, 20. He took the rulers over hundreds, &c. — Brought them out of the temple, that they might conduct the king in state to the royal palace. By the way of the gate of the guard — By the gate of the royal palace, where the king’s guard stood. And he sat on the throne of the kings — Which was the accomplishment of his inauguration. And all the people rejoiced — Josephus says, they kept a feast of joy many days; making good Solomon’s observation: When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth, and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

19. Gate of the guard — Called “the high gate” in Chronicles, but, like the horse gate, difficult to identify with any known locality. It was probably a gate leading toward the palace, and here called “gate of the guard” from being the one guarded by that division of Levites mentioned in verse 5.

Verse 20. The people-rejoiced] They were glad to get rid of the tyranny of Athaliah.

And the city was in quiet] She had no partisans to rise up and disturb the king’s reign.

Verses 19, 20. He took the rulers over hundreds, &c. — Brought them out of the temple, that they might conduct the king in state to the royal palace. By the way of the gate of the guard — By the gate of the royal palace, where the king’s guard stood. And he sat on the throne of the kings — Which was the accomplishment of his inauguration. And all the people rejoiced — Josephus says, they kept a feast of joy many days; making good Solomon’s observation: When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth, and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

FALL OF ATHALIAH, AND ELEVATION OF JOASH TO THE THRONE, 4-21.

4. The seventh year — The seventh year of Joash’s age. Compare verse

21. Rulers over hundreds — Their names are given in 2 Chronicles 23:1, 2, together with the statement that the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief fathers of Israel, were gathered together at Jerusalem. These rulers of hundreds were probably officers of the army, having charge of a hundred men. Captains and the guard — Gesenius renders these words, executioners and runners; which composed an important part of the bodyguard of the king. Others explain the word rendered captains, yrk Carians, that is, the men of Caria, in Asia Minor, who, like the Cretans, were wont to serve as lifeguards to the ancient Asiatic rulers. See on Cherethites and Pelethites. 2 Samuel 8:18. Made a covenant… took an oath — These expressions explain each other. Jehoiada made a covenant with them by binding them under a solemn oath to help him carry out his plans of ruining Athaliah, and setting the youthful Joash on the throne. The high priest was wise enough to know that in carrying out a plan of so vast moment he must have the confidence and support of all the men of power. Athaliah’s regency was doubtless oppressive and unpopular, and the leading minds of the kingdom were glad to have it come to an end.

Verse 21. Seven years old was Jehoash] The first instance on record of making a child seven years old the king of any nation, and especially of such a nation as the Jews, who were at all times very difficult to be governed.

II KINGS

Verse 21. Seven years old was Jehoash, &c. — Being so very young, he was very unfit for so weighty a charge; but he was under the direction of so excellent a counsellor, that, while Jehoiada lived, all things went well, and the nation was prosperous and happy. But after that good man was dead, he was seduced by some great men about him to idolatry, (2 Chronicles 24:17,) which shows him to have been a weak prince, who wanted judgment in things of the greatest moment.

FALL OF ATHALIAH, AND ELEVATION OF JOASH TO THE THRONE, 4-21.

4. The seventh year — The seventh year of Joash’s age. Compare verse

21. Rulers over hundreds — Their names are given in 2 Chronicles 23:1, 2, together with the statement that the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief fathers of Israel, were gathered together at Jerusalem. These rulers of hundreds were probably officers of the army, having charge of a hundred men. Captains and the guard — Gesenius renders these words, executioners and runners; which composed an important part of the bodyguard of the king. Others explain the word rendered captains, yrk Carians, that is, the men of Caria, in Asia Minor, who, like the Cretans, were wont to serve as lifeguards to the ancient Asiatic rulers. See on Cherethites and Pelethites. 2 Samuel 8:18. Made a covenant… took an oath — These expressions explain each other. Jehoiada made a covenant with them by binding them under a solemn oath to help him carry out his plans of ruining Athaliah, and setting the youthful Joash on the throne. The high priest was wise enough to know that in carrying out a plan of so vast moment he must have the confidence and support of all the men of power. Athaliah’s regency was doubtless oppressive and unpopular, and the leading minds of the kingdom were glad to have it come to an end.