2 Kings 11:4-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 11:4-12

Six years Athaliah tyrannised. We have not a particular account of her reign; no doubt it was of a piece with the beginning. While Jehu was extirpating the worship of Baal in Israel, she was establishing it in Judah, as appears, 2 Chron. 24:7. The court and kingdom of Judah had been debauched by their alliance with the house of Ahab, and now one of that house is a curse and a plague to both: sinful friendships speed no better. All this while, Joash lay hid, entitled to a crown and intended for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 11:13-16

We may suppose it was designed when they had finished the solemnity of the king's inauguration, to pay a visit to Athaliah, and call her to an account for her murders, usurpation, and tyranny; but, like her mother Jezebel, she saved them the labour, went out to meet them, and hastened her own destruction. 1. Hearing the noise, she came in a fright to see what was the matter, 2 Kgs. 11:13. Jehoiada and his friends began in silence, but now that they found their strength, they proclaimed what... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 11:17-21

Jehoiada had now got over the harlot part of his work, when, by the death of Athaliah, the young prince had his way to the throne cleared of all opposition. He had now to improve his advantages for the perfecting of the revolution and the settling of the government. Two things we have an account of here:? I. The good foundations he laid, by an original contract, 2 Kgs. 11:17. Now that prince and people were together in God's house, as it should seem before they stirred, Jehoiada took care that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 11:4

And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard ,.... This was the husband of Jehosheba, who was high priest, 2 Chronicles 22:11 these rulers over hundreds were not those appointed over the people for civil affairs, as by the advice of Jethro, but over the priests and Levites in their courses; five of whom are mentioned by name, and were employed in gathering together the Levites, and the chief of the fathers, throughout all the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 11:5

And he commanded them, saying, this is the thing that ye shall do ,.... These were the rulers over hundreds among the priests and Levites, and which he, as high priest, could command, and whom he could convene without suspicion, being such as he had a connection with, and were unarmed men: and for the better understanding of what follows, it should be observed, that the priests, in the times of David, were divided into twenty four courses, which were by turns to serve a week in the temple;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 11:6

And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur ,.... Generally thought by the Jews to be the eastern gate, so called, as they say, because such as were defiled were bid to depart, or go back, as this word signifies, and not enter the temple; it is called "the gate of the foundation", 2 Chronicles 23:5 because, according to Ben Gersom, here the foundation of the sanctuary was first laid; it is said F2 T. Hieros. Yoma apud Beckium in Targ. in 2 Chron. xxiii. 5. to have five other names... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 11:7

And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath ,.... The course that went out of service at the end of the sabbath; these were not suffered, not any of them, to go into the country, but were detained for the present purpose, and divided into two parts: even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king , these were placed in the temple where the king was, or where he should be brought forth, and be a guard on his right and left; this interpretation seems to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 11:8

And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand ,.... Afterwards given them, 2 Kings 11:10 , and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain ; any strange man that was not of them, that came into the ranks in which they were formed, was to be put to death as a spy, who might go and inform the queen what was doing; according to Jarchi, the word for "ranges" signifies the place through which the king went from his own house to the house of God ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 11:9

And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded ,.... Of whom see 2 Kings 11:4 . and they took every man his men ; everyone his hundred: that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath ; both the courses, of which see 2 Kings 11:5 . and came to Jehoiada the priest ; with the said courses, at least as many of them as were to be employed in the present service. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 11:10

And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give King David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the Lord. Such as he had taken in war from his enemies, and had dedicated for the service of the temple, to defend it on occasion, and laid up there; those the priests gave to the captains, to arm their men with, who came unarmed, and so unsuspected, and in this way might be armed without being seen and known. read more

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