2 Kings 11:5

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 11:5

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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:1-16

Athaliah and Jezebel, the wicked daughter and the wicked mother. It has often been noted that, while women are, as a general rule, better than men, in the cases where they enter upon evil courses their wickedness exceeds that of their male associates. The character of Lady Macbeth is true to nature. Wicked women are more thorough-going than wicked men, more bloody, more daring, more unscrupulous. In Athatiah we have a sort of repetition of Jezebel—a second picture on the same lines—the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:1-16

The preservation and coronation of Joash. This is a touching story of hymen wickedness and of God's overruling and preserving power. Three principal personages come before us here, from each of whom something may be learned. I. ATHALIAH AND HER WORK . Athaliah ' s life-work was a Work of destruction . She did much harm. She did no good. A daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (sometimes called a daughter of Omri, whose granddaughter she was), she had inherited all the evil... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:1-21

REVOLUTION IN JUDAH , FOLLOWING THE REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS IN ISRAEL . REIGN OF ATHALIAH OVER JUDAH . CONSPIRACY OF JEHOIADA , AND DEATH OF ATHALIAH . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:1-21

The history of Athaliah. "And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead," etc. Among the blackest names in the long roll of the world's infamy are those of kings and queens, and amongst them Athaliah is not the least abhorrent and revolting. She was the daughter of Ahab King of Israel, and of Jezebel, his notorious wife. She married Joram (or Jehoram) King of Judah. She was the mother of Ahaziah, and advised him in his wickedness. After Jehu had slain him, she resolved to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:4-16

Conspiracy of Jehoiada . After waiting, impatiently we may be sure, for six long years, and seeing the young prince grow from an infant to a boy of seven years of age, Jehoiada deemed that the time was come to venture on an effort. It was necessary for him to make his arrangements beforehand with great care. His first step was to sound the captains of the royal guard. To these men, five in number ( 2 Chronicles 23:1 ), he sent secretly, and in-wired them to confer with him in the temple... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:4-19

Jehoiada an example of a faithful and wise high priest under trying circumstances . The history of the Jewish kingdom from the time of Saul to the Captivity furnishes but few examples of remarkable high priests. Zadok and Abiathar were personages of some importance in the time of David, and left behind them a name for zeal and fidelity; but otherwise no man of eminence had arisen among the high priests until Jehoiada. This may be partly accounted for by the fact that the high priesthood... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 11:4-21

The coronation of Joash. For six years Athaliah was dominant in Israel. Jehoiada meanwhile kept his secret well. Least of all did the usurping queen suspect that a legitimate heir to the throne was in hiding in the temple almost at her own palace door. Her reign must have grown well-nigh unendurable to the people, when they were so willing as the event proved to throw it off. At the six years' end Jehoiada prepared for his coup d'etat . I. JEHOIADA 'S PREPARATIONS . 1. Joash... read more

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