By a pillar - Rather, “upon the pillar” probably a sort of stand, or pulpit, raised on a pillar. Under the later monarchy the Jewish king seems to have had a special place assigned him in the temple-court, from which on occasions he addressed the people (marginal references). read more
2 Kings 11:14. 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; 1 Kings 7:21, 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... read more
End of Jezebel’s Baalism in Judah (11:1-21)Ahaziah, king of Judah, had been assassinated the day of Jehu’s revolt (see 9:27). His mother Athaliah showed herself a true daughter of Jezebel when she killed all her grandchildren (except one who escaped), seized the throne, and established her mother’s Baalism in Judah. The one who escaped was the baby Joash, who was rescued by his aunt (a princess married to the high priest; 2 Chronicles 22:11) and hidden for six years in the temple (11:1-3).When... read more
a pillar = the pillar. Treason, Treason . Figure of speech Epizeuxis, for great emphasis. read more
2 Kings 11:14. Behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was— It is generally supposed, that the royal throne was erected near one of those pillars, whereof we have an account 1Ki 15:21 unless we may suppose that עמוד ammud, that what is here called a pillar, was that brazen scaffold five cubits long, &c. which Solomon made at first upon his dedicating the temple, and which was afterwards continued for the king to appear upon on solemn occasions, and where, doubtless, there was a... read more
14. the king stood by a pillar—or on a platform, erected for that purpose (see on :-). read more
2. Athaliah’s evil reign in Judah 11:1-20Queen Athaliah usurped the throne of Judah. She was not a descendant of David. She was one of the 20 rulers of Judah, however. She was Judah’s only reigning queen and the strongest Baal advocate among Judah’s rulers. read more
God’s judgment of the usurper 11:13-20Though Athaliah claimed that Jehoash’s coronation was treasonous, she was the one guilty of treason. Jehoash was a legitimate heir to the throne of Judah, but Athaliah was not since she was not a descendant of David, but had married into Judah’s royal family. She evidently wanted to bring Judah under Israel’s authority. Out of disrespect, the people executed her near the gate where the horses entered the palace (not the city; cf. 2 Chronicles 24:20-22).... read more
The Usurpation of Athaliah and Preservation of Joash1. Athaliah] She was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 8:26), possessed her mother’s high courage, and, like her, was a devoted worshipper of Baal. Her position as queenmother she would naturally lose on the accession of Ahaziah’s son, the deceased monarch’s wife becoming queen-mother in her stead. She, therefore, took measures to place herself on the throne by removing all rivals, and then proceeded to make the worship... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:14
And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar ; rather, on the pillar , or on the raised platform . The king's proper place in the temple seems to have been a raised standing-place ( הָעַמּוּד , from עָמֹד , to stand) in front of the entrance to the sanctuary, which made him very conspicuous. As the manner was — i.e. as was the usual practice when kings visited the temple— and the princes — i.e. the centurions or captains of the guard— and the trumpeters by... read more