Westminster Annotations, 2 Kings (4 Kings) · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
Vers. 1. A Thaliah] 2 Chron. 22. 10. Whom Jehoram married, 2 King. 8. 18.
was dead] Being slain by Jehu, Chap. 9. 27.
all the seed royall] Heb. seed of the kingdom. Of the house of Judah, 2 Chron. 22. 10. except Joash, v. 2.
V. 2. Jehosheba] Jehoshabeath, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, 2 Chron. 22. 11.
daughter of king] But not by Athaliah, but some other wife, as is supposed.
Joram] Jehoram, Chap. 8. 16.
Joash] Jehoash, Chap. 12. 2.
sen] But a yeer old, v. 21.
they hid] Jehosheba and her husband.
bed-chamber] One of those chambers which were on the side of the temple, for the priests, in their waiting-time, to lodge in. See Jer. 35. 2. Ezek. 40. 45, 46.
V. 3. in the house of the Lord] For the priests chambers were appurtenances to the temple.
did reign] By usurpation.
V. 4. the seventh yeer Jehoiada] 2 Chron. 23. 1. A chiof priest at that time, Chap. 12. 7.
rulers, &c.] Five expressed by name, 2 Chron. 22. 1. These also were priests, as is gathered from their functions, v. 5, &c.
There were valiant men among the priests and Levites, 1 Chr. 9. 13.
into the house of the Lord] Whereinto none might go but priests and Levites, 2 Chron. 23. 6.
made a covenant] To depose Athaliah, to set Joash on the throne, to put down idolatry, and to establish true religion. When good governours reformed religion, they used to begin with a covenant, to binde themselves and their subjects more stedfastly thereto. See 2 Chron. 15. 12. and 29. 10. and 34. 31. Ezr. 10. 3. Neh. 9. 38.
an oath] Of secrecie and fidelity.
V. 5. A third part] The priests and Levites were so divided, as they might serve in the temple by course, 1 Chron. 24. 1, &c. Luk. 1. 8, 9. While one part served, two parts rested, and went to their houses: but at this time they were all assembled together; and, according to the said division into three parts, they were assigned to severall charges.
enter in on the sabbath] To do their service, wherein they continued from sabbath to sabbath, so long as their course continued, 1 Chron. 9. 25.
keepers of the watch] Shall carefully and diligently watch.
of the kings house] The gate that leadeth into the royall pallace, lest any should thence issue out to destory the king. Some understand by the kings house, the chamber where the king was kept.
keepers, &c.] Of porters and keepers of the gates of the temple, see the Notes on 1 Chron. 9. 17, 18.
V. 6. gate of Sur] The east-gate. This is also called, The gate of the foundation, 2 Chron. 23. 5. By it were seats of judgement, Jer. 26. 10. It was called, the bigh-gate (Chap. 15. v. 35.) by reason of the fairnesse of it: and the new-gate (Jer. 36. 10.) after Jotham had new built it, 2 Chron. 27. 3.
behinde the guard] At the back side of those that kept the watch. This was the south gate.
that it be not broken down] Or, stom breaking up. Or, that none, breaking in, do any violence to the king, or to any other person or thing in the house.
V. 7. two parts] Or, companies. Heb. hands. Namely, they who had finished their course; and had thereupon liberty to go to their own habitations, they also were now to abide, and to guard the king. Or if there were but two parts, then turn it thus, And two parts, even all you that go forth, &c.
V. 8. within the ranges] Within the ranks and orders of men set to defend the king.
V. 9. to come in] To serve their course.
should go out] Having finished their courses.
V. 10. Davids spears, &c.] Which were reserved as trophees of Davids victories. See 1 Sam. 21. 9. 2 Sam. 8. 7. 1 King. 7. 51.
V. 11. from the right corner] Heb. shoulder. From north to fouth.
the altar] Of burnt-offering, which was at the east end.
V. 12. he] Jehoiada the priest.
the testimony] The originall kept in the temple, Chap. 22. 8. or a copie of the book of the law, according to the charge, Deut. 17. 18.
they made him king, &c.] Jehoiada and his sons, 2 Chron. 23. 11.
they clapt, &c.] A visible expression of great joy, as Psal. 47. 1.
God save the king] Heb. Let the king live. See 1 King. 1. 25.
V. 13. into the temple] Violently breaking thorow the ranges mentioned, v. 8. See v. 15.
V. 14. by a pillar] On the brasen seaffold made by Solomon, 2 Chron. 6. 13, See chap. 23. v. 3. 2 Chron. 34. 31.
rent her clothes] See chap. 5. 7.
Treason] She, that had committed the treason, cries out of treason.
V. 15. without the ranges] Mentioned, v. 8.
that followeth her] To defend her, or maintain her title.
V. 16. laid hands on her] To carry her out of the temple: or, they made way for her.
by which the ho…ses came] A beaten way.
V. 17. between the Lord, and the king] That the king should serve the LORD, and maintain his true worship.
between the king, &c.] That he should seek their good, and they protect him.
V. 18. before the altars] Or, because he fled th…ther for refuge, as 1 King. 2. 28, &c. or in detestation of that idolatry, as chap. 23. 16.
appointed officers] Heb. offices; To see the worship of God duely performed. See 2 Chron. 23. 18, 19.
V. 19. he sate on the throne] Openly, as kings were wont, to shew his indubitate right, 2 Sam. 3. 10. 1 King. 1. 46. and 2. 12.