King James Version
2 Kings 11
21 verses with commentary
Athaliah and Joash
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. seed: Heb. seed of the kingdom
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster. <br><br...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**XI.
ATHALIAH USURPS THE THRONE OF JUDAH, BUT IS DEPOSED AND SLAIN, AND HER GRANDSON JOASH CROWNED, THROUGH THE INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE HIGH PRIEST JEHOIADA.** (Comp. 2Chronicles 22:10; 2Chronicles 23:21.)
(1) **And when Athaliah . . . saw.**—Rather, *Now Athaliah . . . had seen.* (The *and*, which the common Hebrew text inserts before the verb, is merely a mistaken repetition of the last letter o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24-25. Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek--**The insolence of this man, the leader of the false prophets, seems to have been provoked by jealousy at Micaiah's assumed monopoly of the spirit of inspiration. This mode of smiting, usually with a shoe, is both severe and ignominious. The calm reply of the Lord's prophet consisted in announcing the fate of the fal...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The refe...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **But Jehosheba . . . sister of Ahaziah.**—By a different mother (see Josephus). Athaliah would not have allowed her daughter to marry the high priest of Jehovah. (Comp. 2Kings 11:3 with 2Chronicles 22:11.) This marriage with a sister of the king shows what almost royal dignity belonged to the high priest’s office.
**The king’s sons which were slain.**—Rather, *which were to be put to death*. ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**24-25. Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek--**The insolence of this man, the leader of the false prophets, seems to have been provoked by jealousy at Micaiah's assumed monopoly of the spirit of inspiration. This mode of smiting, usually with a shoe, is both severe and ignominious. The calm reply of the Lord's prophet consisted in announcing the fate of the fal...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. This passage occurs during the decline towa...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **And he was with her**—*i.e.*, with Jehosheba his aunt. The words “in the house of the Lord” should immediately follow. The Word “hid” is connected with “six years” in the Hebrew, and relates to the infant prince only. Joash was with his aunt “in the house of the Lord”—*i.e.*, in one of the chambers allotted to the priests, perhaps even in the high priest’s residence, which may have been with...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-28. Take Micaiah, ... Put this fellow in prison--**Ahab, under the impulse of vehement resentment, remands the prophet until his return.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant fai...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And the seventh year.**—When perhaps discontent at Athalialı’s tyranny had reached a climax.
**Jehoiada.**—The high priest (2Kings 11:9). The curious fact that his rank is not specified hero upon the *first* mention of his name, suggests the inference that in the original authority of this narrative he had been mentioned as high priest, and husband of Jehosheba, at the outset of the story, a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-28. Take Micaiah, ... Put this fellow in prison--**Ahab, under the impulse of vehement resentment, remands the prophet until his return.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5, 6) Three companies of the guards to be stationed at the three approaches to the palace.
(5) **A third part of you . . . king’s house.**—Rather, *the third of you who come in on the Sabbath shall keep the ward of the king’s house.* (Reading *w‘shām‘rû*, as in 2Kings 11:7.) The troops of the royal guard regularly succeeded each other on duty just as they do in modern European capitals. That the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**26-28. Take Micaiah, ... Put this fellow in prison--**Ahab, under the impulse of vehement resentment, remands the prophet until his return.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down. that: or, from breaking up
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur.**—Or, and the third (shall be on guard) *at the gate of Sur*, Instead of *Sûr* (“turning aside”) Chronicles has *Jesôd* (“foundation”). The gate Sur was apparently a *side exit* from the court of the palace, such as may be seen in the old Egyptian palaces at *Medinat-Abû* and* Karnak*. “Jesod” is another name for the same side-door, or, as is far...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king. parts: or, companies: Heb. hands
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7, 8) The whole body of guards relieved on the Sabbath are to guard the Temple and the young prince.
(7) **And two parts of all you . . . sabbath.**—Rather, *and the two branches among you, all that go out on the Sabbath.* The two “branches” means the two fundamental divisions—viz., Carians (or executioners) and Couriers. The troops relieved on the Sabbath were not to be posted in three companies...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human auth...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. This passage oc...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9, 10) The preparations for carrying out the above arrangements.
(9) **The captains over the hundreds**—*i.e.*, the centurions of the royal guard (2Kings 11:4). So in 2Kings 11:10.
**Commanded.**—*Had commanded*.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **King David’s spears and shields.**—The Hebrew has *spear*, but Chronicles has the plural, which appears correct. “Shields” should perhaps be *arms*. (Comp. 2Samuel 8:7; 2Chronicles 23:9.) The arms which David had laid up in the Temple as spoils of war were now to be used, appropriately enough, for the restoration of David’s heir to the throne. Possibly, as Bähr suggests, the guards who came...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple. corner: Heb. shoulder
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is sub...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **The guard.**—Literally, *the Couriers;* not therefore the Levites.
**Corner.**—Rather, *side*.
**Along by.**—*At*.
**And the temple.**—*And at the Temple*. The guard formed in two lines, extending from the south wall to the north wall of the court, one line standing at the altar of burnt offering, which was near the entrance, the other at the sanctuary itself. The words “round about the kin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. God: Heb. Let the king live
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Isra...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **And he brought forth the king’s son.**—When the two lines were formed, cutting off the interior of the Temple from the court, Jehoiada led forth the young prince into the protected space between them; perhaps from a side chamber, or perhaps from the sanctuary itself.
**And gave him the testimony.**—The Hebrew has simply *and the testimony*. Kimchi explains this to mean *a royal robe*; other...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 11
Chapter Outline
Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king.(1-12)
Athaliah put to death.(13-16)
The worship of the Lord restored.(17-21)
**Verses 1-12**
Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the S...
Read full commentary →The Death of Athaliah
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. This passage occurs dur...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Of the guard and of the people.**—This is correct. The *and* has fallen out of the Hebrew text.
**The guard.**—The Aramaic form of the plural, rare in prose, occurs here. (Comp. 1Kings 11:33.) In 2Chronicles 23:11 the words are transposed. This gives a different sense—viz., “of the people* running together*” to which is added, “and acclaiming the king.” The chronicler may have found this in...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
Athaliah hastened her own destruction. She herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying, Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward to reproach others.
And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The referenc...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **And when she looked.**—Having entered the court, the whole scene met her astonished gaze.
**The king stood by a pillar.**—Rather, *the king was standing on the stand*. (Comp. 2Kings 23:3.) The stand (Vulg., “tribunal”) was apparently a dais reserved for the king only, which stood before the great altar, at the entrance to the inner court (2Chronicles 23:13; 2Chronicles 6:13). Thenius mainta...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
Athaliah hastened her own destruction. She herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying, Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward to reproach others.
But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulne...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **The captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host.**—The centurions of the royal guard are called “the officers of the host” (comp. Numbers 31:14) to signify that it was they who gave effect to the high priest’s orders by communicating them to their troops.
**Have her forth without the ranges.**—Rather, *Cause her to go out between the ranks—i.e.*, escort her out of the sacred precinct...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29-38. went up to Ramoth-gilead--**The king of Israel, bent on this expedition, marched, accompanied by his ally, with all his forces to the siege; but on approaching the scene of action, his courage failed, and, hoping to evade the force of Micaiah's prophecy by a secret stratagem, he assumed the uniform of a subaltern, while he advised Jehoshaphat to fight in his royal attire. The Syrian king,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
Athaliah hastened her own destruction. She herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying, Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward to reproach others.
And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs du...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **They laid hands on her.**—So the LXX. and Vulg. The Hebrew phrase means: *and they made room for her on both sides—i.e.*, the crowd fell back, and a lane was formed for her exit (so the Targum and Rashi).
**She went . . . king’s house.**—She *entered the palace by way of the entry of the horses*. Athaliah was conducted to the royal stables which adjoined the palace, and there put to death.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 13-16**
Athaliah hastened her own destruction. She herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying, Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward to reproach others.
Jehoiada's Reforms
And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historic...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **A covenant.**—Rather, *the covenant.* The high priest solemnly renewed the original compact between Jehovah and the king and people—a compact which had been violated by the Baal-worship of recent reigns.
**That they should be the Lord’s people.**—Comp. Deuteronomy 4:20; Exodus 19:5-6.
**Between the king also and the people.**—For the protection of their mutual rights and prerogatives. (Comp...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-21**
King and people would cleave most firmly to each other, when both had joined themselves to the Lord. It is well with a people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive, strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them. Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the duties already binding on us. They immediately abolished idolatry; an...
Read full commentary →And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD. officers: Heb. offices
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The div...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **All the people of the land went into the house of Baal.**—Immediately after the covenant had been renewed, of which the extirpation of the foreign Baal-worship was a consequence. In the fervour of their newly-awakened enthusiasm for Jehovah, the assembly may have hurried off at once to the work of demolition. It seems to be implied that the “house of Baal” stood on the Temple mount, in oste...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-21**
King and people would cleave most firmly to each other, when both had joined themselves to the Lord. It is well with a people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive, strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them. Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the duties already binding on us. They immediately abolished idolatry; an...
Read full commentary →And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithful...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **And he took the rulers . . . the land.**—Jehoiada now arranges a procession to escort the king in triumph from the Temple to the palace.
**The rulers . . . guard.**—Rather, *the captains of the hundreds* (the centurions) *and the Carians and the Couriers*; or, as Thenius prefers, *the lictors and the satellites*.
**They brought down the king from the house of the Lord.**—*Down* from the Tem...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-21**
King and people would cleave most firmly to each other, when both had joined themselves to the Lord. It is well with a people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive, strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them. Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the duties already binding on us. They immediately abolished idolatry; an...
Read full commentary →And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **All the people of the land . . . the city.**—Thenius calls this an “evident contrast between the soldiery and the. citizens; the former exulting in their work, the latter not lifting a finger while the idolatrous tyrant was being put to death “ (connecting the first half of the verse with the second; after Ewald). But his assumption that “all the people of the land,” here and in 2Kings 11:1...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-21**
King and people would cleave most firmly to each other, when both had joined themselves to the Lord. It is well with a people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive, strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them. Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the duties already binding on us. They immediately abolished idolatry; an...
Read full commentary →Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 11: Preservation of Davidic line and covenant faithfulness. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster. <br><br>The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covena...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Seven years old was Jehoash.**—The Hebrew editions connect this verse with chapter 12.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 17-21**
King and people would cleave most firmly to each other, when both had joined themselves to the Lord. It is well with a people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive, strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them. Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the duties already binding on us. They immediately abolished idolatry; an...
Read full commentary →