Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 2 Kings · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
VVHen Athaliah (the mother of Ahaziah King of Iudah) saw that her sonne V. 1.was dead (as being slain by Iehu in Israel) she (to shew of what kinde she came, for she was Iezabels daughter, who was both most earnest in promoting Baalisme, and of a domineering spirit) rose up and slew all the Kings seed] her own grandchildren, thus through an ambitious desire of reigning extinguishing in her self all sparks of naturall affection. And she was carried on to this tragicall fact, as Martyr noteth, that by her authority Baal and his worship might be upheld in Iudah, P. Martyr.although exterminated out of her father Ahabs kingdome of Israel by Iehu. For such is the fury of idolaters, that they passe not for embruing their hands in the Note. bloud of any for the promoting of their idolatry, and therefore she fearing, that the people would take one of the royall seed and make him King, which might be prejudiciall to her superstition, she hasteneth and cutteth them all off that she could come by. And it is not to be doubted, but that she made this destruction of the bloud royall, as well out a desire of revenge upon that seed, which she thought should be favoured as coming of David and Iehoshaphat, of whom she would not leave one alive, as Iehu had not of her fathers house, as out of an ambitious desire of reigning. But what had she to do to reign, although all had been dead, she was an alienigena, descended from the daughter of the Sidonian King, and not wholly Israelitish, and a woman, and so uncapable of the kingdome, seeing by his law God provided, that no stranger, but one of their brethren should reign over his people? Deut. 17.But she most probably having the administration of her sonnes kingdome in his absence, had now power in her hands to set up her self, the just judgement of God working with her designes for the punishment of Iudah for their idolatry, to which they were drawn by her means. Yet whilest she tyrannized thus, behold the providence of God, according to his word unto David, preserved a light of his seed, one sucking childe called Ioas.
Iosabeth sister to Ahaziah, wife to Iehoiadah the high Priest, stale him away from V. 2.the midst of the slain, &c.] And so this royall stock, now greatly in danger of being quite cut off, continued even untill the comming of Christ, who is King and reigneth for ever. This Iosabeah is called Iosabath, 2 Chron. 22. 11. and whereas here 2 Chron. 22. 11.she is said to have taken him away and his nurse in the bed-chamber, there, she hid him and his nurse in the bed chamber, when the rest were slain. His nurse then, it seemeth kept him out of the sight of the executioners, till this was done, and so she was taken away with him to nurse, and to bring him up in secret, none knowing of it, as Iosephus saith, but she and Iehoiadah, who is said to be her husband. About Josephus.the place where they were kept, all are not of an opinion, for some think, that it was one of the lodging-chambers one some side of the temple, for there were many, and R. Solomon that it was a room above the most holy place, wherein the sacred R. Solomon. P. Martyr.vestments and vessels, and treasure were kept. P. Martyr, that he was caried first into the one, and then for more safety to the other, to which I cannot subscribe, because one place onelyonly, where he remained hidden six years, is spoken of, and R. Solomon is confuted by the text, wherein it is said to be a bed-chamber, and not a treasury. It was then a room amongst those, which the high-priest had peculiarly to himself on one side of the temple, which was very secret, and so fit for this purpose, and Ioas being here by the care of his Aunt preserved sixe yeares, whilest Athaliah reigned, in the seventh was brought forth and shewed to certain with V. 3. V. 4.whom Iehoiadah made a covenant, that they should joyn together to set up him for King, viz. to centurions, captains, and other officers, whom he sent for to this end to come to him to the house of the Lord.
In the Chronicles centutions onelyonly are mentioned, who are also named, and 2 Chron. 23. 1, ….they are said to have gathered together the Levites all over Iudah, and all the chief of their fathers houses. These centurions Martyr thinketh to have been a kin to the P. Martyr.Levites, and such as were well known to Iehoiada to be faithfull, to whom therefore he might safely communicate this matter. But I cannot think with him, that he had at the first made some Levites acquainted with this matter, that in time to come they might testifie, that this was the kings son, and not supposititious; for his testimony being of that high place and credit, was sufficient for this amongst all the faithfull, especially his wife and the nurse who was known at the Court, being ag…ts herein also, neither indeed was it safe, till this time to discover it to any.
But why was he now brought forth, not sooner nor later? He answereth, for two causes. First, least Athaliah continuing longer, should be more confirmed in the kingdome, and prevaile to appoint a successour and doe more hurt in setting up and spreading Baalisme into more places. Secondly, because Ioas now growing past a child ought in reason not to be kept as a child still in obscurity, but be made known, that henceforth he might live like one of royal dignity. I think that he stayed till this time and no longer, because he doubted whether the people would be so inclinable to accept of him for their king being an infant, but so soon as he thought him fit to be shewed unto them, he brought him forth, and happily he delayed it, till now that the people being weary of her tyrannicall government, might be the more ready to receive him.
Moreover touching this Ioas, there are saith Martyr, who think him to be of the posterity of Nathan another of Davids sonnes, and not the sonne of Ahaziah, although called so, because he succeeded him in the kingdome, who strengthen this their opinion from hence, that Athaliah would never have been so unnaturall, as to seek to slay the child of her own sonne, who living and reigning, she might have exercised the power of a regent at her pleasure, but for so much as Ahaziah her sonne and late king had no naturall sonne, and by this means the kingdome was in danger to be translated to another stock, she thought it necessary to provide for the safety of her selfe, and favourites of her religion, by rooting all others out, that might bee brought in to reigne, and so to put her down, and her great God Baal withall. And to this he confesseth, that he most enclineth, but I must needs confesse that I see no such force in this reason to move me so to do. For she was of an haughty and ambitious spirit, & therefore would not be satisfied now with a ruling power under another, though never so near unto her; but would rule as Queen her selfe alone, like unto Semiramis the mother of Ninus, who put her sonne into a womans habit, that she might reign, and Irene the mother of Constantinus Copron: who put out her own sonnes eyes to make him uncapable of the Empire, that she might enjoy it. And he is so plainly said to be the sonne of Ahaziah, v. 2. and when he was shewed, it is said, he shewed them not the kings kinsman, but the kings sonne, that he cannot possibly be any other, besides the consideration of her, by whose care he was saved giveth no litle light into this matter, shee was sister to Ahaziah, in whom naturall affection wrought to preserve her brothers sonne, and being of the same family, she might well have opportunity so to doe, but not a little one of another family.
By their gathering together of the Levites, it seemeth that they were in these corrupt times most observant of the ordinances of God above others, but because the chiefe strength of the kingdome lay in the heads of the families, they were called together also to goe about this great work to set up a new king, who had right, and to put down a bloody Queen which had none.
And he said unto them, the third part of you shall be of them that enter upon the Sabbath, V. 5.and shall ward the kings house, &c.] That this is to be understood of the Levites appeareth, because they are spoken of that enter in upon the Sabbath, and v. 8. they which goe out upon the Sabbath. For they were by David numbred and distributed into 24 courses, of which each course served about the temple a week, and then the Priest of that course with his troop of Levites going out, he of the next course 1 Chron. 24. 1 Chron. 23. 2.with his troop came in. Now there were of the Levites, 38000. whereof 24000. served at their times in the house of the Lord, besides 4000 door-keepers, and 4000 singers, who attended there by turnes, also, only 6000 were dispersed over the land for judges. They that came in then were the course coming to serve at the temple, and they that went out the course, which had served the week before, and each of these, if they held, as in Davids time, were 1500 and upward. By this then we are to understand, that Iehoiadah stayed that course of Priests and Levites, which had served the week before, and now went out to help to defend the king, and as he used them that came in in three companies, one to ward about the kings house to withstand any that should be sent out by Athaliah, against the king, one to keep the gate Sur. 2 Chron. 23. 5. The chiefe gate, which was the largest saith Iunius, and stood Eastward, and it was called Sur, saith Martyr, from declining, as Junius. P. Martyr.the word signifieth, because the door-keepers standing before it made the unclean to decline from coming in that way, as the most common, and one the gate behind the guard, which carried shields, 2 Chron. 23. 4. Ianitores luminum, according to the Vulgar lat. in the gates; but another gate in particular, saith Iunius, is hereby meant, which stood South. As he distributed this course of the commers in, I say, into three companies and placed them thus, five hundred in a company, so he divided the goers out into two, whom he set to guard about the King on both sides, for which Iunius calleth them Laterales custodiae. The Chronicles make it more plaine, that these were Priests and Levites, and whereas nothing is here said 2 Chron. 23. 4, 5of the rest of the men, that were present, there they are appointed to be in the courts of the Lords house, and the Priests onelyonly and Levites, who were holy might enter in and be about the King, that is, those Priests and Levites, who were last distributed into two companies, and if any others entered, they must be slaine, as not V. 6. V. 9.coming in the way of good will, but to seek the young Kings destruction. Moreover Iehoiadah put weapons in the hands of the Centurions, speares and shields, which were in the house of the Lord, and bade the Levites hold weapons in their V. 7.hands also; and when he had made the guard strong in all places about, he brought forth the King and crowned and anointed him, 2 King. 11. 12. 2 Chron. 23. 11. Iehoiadah and his sonnes anointed him and cryed out, God save the King.
Here many doubts occurre, as first, whether Iehoiadah being a subject did rightly to conspire against the Queen, who then reigned? although he might have withstood her taking the government upon her at the first, yet it seemeth, that being in the throne it was not lawfull for any subject to pluck her out, because all must be subject to the higher powers?
Ans. She was an usurper and the true King abode in his custody, & therefore how long soever she reigned, that obliged not the subjects of that kingdome any more unto her, but they might without all scruple proceed against her, as an enemy to the true King and State, especially he that was by his place the second man in the kingdome, and to see the doing of right to the King, who suffered wrong all this time. They that live under a King, who hath unlawfully atteined to the Crowne, and possesseth it are not by this example justified, that conspire against him being private persons, and not having right unto it, or lead by these, that have, or by such Peeres of the kingdome as stand for the right of another unable to helpe himselfe. For to such it may be said, He that smiteth with the sword shall perish by the sword, because he doth this, when it is not committed unto him.
Secondly, whether Priests and Levites might beare armes, as he appointed these to doe, sith the word is the sword of the Clergy, and Prophets pull downe, root up, and plant not by the materiall sword, but the spirituall, viz. prophesying?
Ans. It was no new thing for men of this tribe to take arms no more then of any other, for both Moses commanded them to goe every one with his sword in his Exod. 32.hand, and to slay such, as committed idolatry with the golden calves, and when an army was sent against the Midianites Phinees the Priest went as captaine over it, and this tribe made an army, when they marched in the wildernesse, as well as any other. And well they might, because, as hath beene already shewed, many of them were set over civill affaires, and their service being so seldome required about the temple, viz. not above twice in a yeare, they might easily be spared, at sometimes to doe this service to the common wealth, namely, when great necessity required it. But otherwise I doe not thinke, that they were employed as souldiers, because they did also read and instruct the people in the Synagogues in all parts every Sabbath day.
If the question be of Ministers under the New Testament: whether they may be required to doe likewise? I answer, that our Lord seemeth to take all armes from us, when he forbiddeth his Disciples to take a staffe with them; and our ministery is a kinde of warfare for God, whose souldier Timothy is called, which must not be entangled with secular affaires, yea, a Bishop must be no striker, but must give himselfe wholly to meditation, reading, and preaching, except extraordinary 1 Tim. 3.necessity requireth the drawing of his sword; as to resist theeves and robbers, or enemies setting upon him, or the place, where he liveth; in which case it is no good citizens part to sit still, but to resist to the uttermost of his power.
Thirdly, Whether the temple were not polluted by giving order to have bloud shed there? Answ. It is requisite, that the place dedicated to the worship of God should as much as may bee be spared from shedding bloud therein; but the Lord himselfe biddeth to pluck wilfull murderers from his Altar and to slay them, and inspired Solomon, who caused Ioab to be slain there, did by his fact sufficiently justifie this of Iehoiadah, but of this enough hath been said before upon that touching Ioab; and yet indeed by his military preparation there was no bloud finally shed there, for Athaliah was carried forth and slain.
To returne therefore to the Kings coronation, here are three things said to have V. 12.been done unto him about his inauguration. First, a diadem or crown was set upon his head. Secondly, the testament was put into his hands. Thirdly, he was anointed, although some for (the testament have) the ornament, as Martyr saith, and rendereth P. Martyr.it, howsoever in commenting upon it he preferreth, this reading, the testament: and indeed, it is to be preferred, although the word may also signifie an ornament, and both Pagninus and Vatablus take it so. For Deut. 17. 19. it is commanded, that the King should have the book of the testimony by him, and read therein all the dayes of his life; neither do we read in any place of other royall ornaments besides the crowne, and of putting this book into his hands, according to the Vulgar lat. there was now good reason, because it had been in the dayes of his grandmother, father, and grandfather so much neglected. The crowne set upon his head glittering with gold and precious stones served to shew his kingly dignity, that he might be honoured the more: the book of the testimony, the care, that he should have to maintaine the worship of God, and to beat down idolatry so much condemned in this book; and the anointing, other kingly endowments of wisdome, fortitude, and justice.
These things being done, acclamations were made, [God save the king] and trumpets sounded, and there was clapping of hands for joy. Whereupon Athaliah hearing the noise came forth, into the temple, and seeing what was done, and the King standing by his pillar, rent her clothes and cried Treason, Treason; and if Iosephus V. 14. Vulg. lat. standing upon his tribunall. Josephus. V. 15. V. 16.may be credited, bade them take the new King and slay him, and the people contrariwise cryed out, God save King Ioas, and let Athaliah dye. But Iehoiadah bade thē have her forth out of the house of the Lord, that she might be slain, which was immediatly done, & in the way of the horses entrance into the King house she was slain, no man, that we read of, seeking to rescue her, whereby we see the miserable condition of tyrants, they may have mens bodies and lives subject unto them, Note. but their hearts they can never have, that they who are in Regall dignity may feare to tyrannize or unjustly to usurpe. As the mother Iezabel came to a base end for her tyranny before being trodden under the horses feet; so most probably did her daughter for the like cause, because it was in the way of the horses, that she fell. Which was so called, saith Lyra, because the Nobles about the Court might come Lyra.riding thus farre, but then alighting they went on foot to the temple. Wherefore Iosephus is not to be heard, when he saith, that she was carried downe to the brook Cidron, and slain there.
Touching her rending of her clothes, she did that in detestation of the fact, and out of extream sorrow, it being a ceremony in use not only amongst the Israelites, but the heathen also, as Martyr noteth out of Suetonius, who saith, that Iulius P. Martyr.Caesar made an oration unto the people with his clothes rent when civill wars were began, the tribunes of the people being violated, & compelled to depart out of the city
Then Iehoiada made a Covenant between the Lord and the King and the people, &c. and between the king and the people. Things being so much out of order, the wise Priest thought it necessary now that he had made Ioas king, to direct him and the V. 17.people to make a Covenant with the Lord to root idolatry out of the land, and to restore and maintain the worship of God pure according to his word, and to joyne the people and king again together as one in doing this to direct him to make a covenant with them to rule them in justice and equity, and them to make a Covenant with him, to obey and serve him as their King and Lord. Neither was this done without effect, for immediately they went about that, which their Covenant tyed them to, viz. to destroy the temple of Baal and the idols therein, and slew V. 17.Matthan the Priest before his altars. And thus doing, they had godly Asa going before 2 Chron. 15. 12.them, who coming after idolatrous Abijam, and Rehoboam together with the people, made a covenant with the Lord, and did mighty beat down idolatry. Oh that as the house of Commons hath entred into such a Covenant, so the King and Lords would bee pleased to doe likewise, that all the people and not some only might follow them, and so together joyn their forces to root out popish superstition, which of late hath been so much magnified amongst us. And the Priest set governours over the house of the Lord.] 2 Chron. 23. 18. And Iehoiadah set prefectureships in the house of the Lord, which were committed to the Priests, the Levites, whom David had distributed, &c. It may seem by this in the kings, that some Captains with their bands were set to ward about the temple, that the Priests might securely in those tumultuos times doe their office therein, as some understand it, but the Chronicles maketh it plain, that nothing else is meant hereby, but Lyra.that he appointed the 24 courses of Priests first instituted by David to serve in the Temple, as formerly they had done, and vers. 19. the porters to keep out the uncleane.
After this the Centurions and the guard, and all the people conducted the King V. 19.to his palace, and set him upon the throne. But all that went before touching the destruction of Baals house, and the setling again of the Priests in their courses could not be suddenly done, but required some dayes for the doing thereof, wherefore it must be conceived either that the king was conducted to his house before all this was done, yea they being but begun only, as some hold, or that he remained certain dayes after his coronation still in the temple, happily where he had been kept before till they were done, and then this company repairing to him again, conducted him to his house with great joy, which is the more probable, both because according to this order, his carrying to his house is set forth, and because it is said, Iehoiadah tooke the Centurions, Captains, &c. as implying his calling them thither again, after the businesses before spoken of ended. And now the city had quiet, they had an unquiet life before under a tyrannicall Queen, who together with her husband, V. 20.as Iosephus saith, built a Temple unto Baal and set up his worship, which doubtlesse was the occasion of many quarrels betwixt the Baalites and the servants of the Lord, but now there was an end put unto them all, neither did any rise up to revenge the death of Athaliah, and so they enjoyed great quietnesse and peace.
Rabanus upon Athaliah maketh this Allegory; shee seeking to destroy all the The Allegory. Rabanus.seed of David, setteth forth the synagogue of the Iewes seeking to destroy Christ and Christianity, for as Athaliah, so she reigned, whilst the Temple and ceremonies of the law stood. But Iehoshaheth setting forth the Church, kept Ioash close and so preserved him in an inward place of the Temple, in like manner the Church preserved the faith and love of Christ in the hearts of the elect by preaching him, untill that the synagogue Athaliah being destroyed in the time of Titus and Vespasian the city of God had quiet and no trouble from thenceforth any more by it.