2 Kings 11:12-16 sits inside this longer paragraph.
9The captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they each took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10The priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David’s, which were in Yahweh’s house. 11The guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king. 12Then he brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, “Long live the king!”
13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into Yahweh’s house: 14and she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and cried, “Treason! Treason!”
15Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks. Kill anyone who follows her with the sword.” For the priest said, “Don’t let her be slain in Yahweh’s house.” 16So they made way for her; and she went by the way of the horses’ entry to the king’s house, and she was slain there. 17Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and the people, that they should be Yahweh’s people; also between the king and the people. 18All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over Yahweh’s house. 19He took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from Yahweh’s house, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. He sat on the throne of the kings. 20So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king’s house.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 15 Meaning, the Law of God, which is his chief…
Meaning, the Law of God, which is his chief charge, and whereby only his throne is established.
That is, Joash, which had been kept secret six years.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv12–16 2Ki 11:12 And he brought forth the king’s son,…
2Ki 11:12 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.
Ver. 12. And gate him the testimony.] That is, The Book of Deuteronomy, according to Deu 17:18-19, or some other book wherein the law was registered, {2Ch 23:11} called the Testimony, because it testifieth of God’s will and men’s duty, and is the best rule of ruledom; far beyond Lipsius’s "Beehive," or Machiavel’s "Spider Web." Queen Elizabeth, at her coronation, took the Bible - presented to herewith both her hands, and, kissing it, laid it to her breast, saying, that the same had ever been her chiefest delight, and should be the rule whereby she meant to frame her government. {a}
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{a} Speed’s Chron.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv12–16 The testimony, i.e. the book of the law, which…
The testimony, i.e. the book of the law, which he put into the king’s hand, to mind him of his duty at his entrance upon his kingdom, which was to read and write out that holy book, Deu 17:18, and to govern himself and his kingdom by it; the law of God being frequently and most properly called a testimony, as Psa 78:5; 132:12; Isa 8:16,20; see also Deu 6:17,20; 2Ki 23:3, because it is a witness of God’s will, and man’s duty.
Anointed him; as they used to do in doubtful cases, when there was any competition or question about the crown, as now there was.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v13 We may suppose it was designed when they had…
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, Kg2 11:13. Jehoiada and his friends began in silence, but now that they found their strength, they proclaimed what they were doing. It seems, Athaliah was little regarded, else she would have had intelligence brought her of this daring attempt before with her own ears she heard the noise; had the design been discovered before it was perfected, it might have been quashed, but now it was too late. When she heard the noise it was strange that she was so ill advised as to come herself, and, for aught that appears, to come alone. Surely she was not so neglected as to have none to go for her, or none to go with her, but she was wretchedly infatuated by the transport both of fear and indignation she was in. Whom God will destroy he befools. 2. Seeing what was done she cried out for help. She saw the king's place by the pillar possessed by one to whom the princes and people did homage (Kg2 11:14) and had reason to conclude her power at an end, which she knew was usurped; this made her rend her clothes, like one distracted, and cry, "Treason! treason! Come and help against the traitors." Josephus adds that she cried to have him killed that possessed the king's place. What was now doing was the highest justice, yet it was branded as the highest crime; she herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying Treason! treason! Those that are themselves most guilty are commonly most forward to reproach others. 3. Jehoiada gave orders to put her to death as an idolater, a usurper, and an enemy to the public peace. Care was taken, (1.) That she should not be killed in the temple, or any of the courts of it, in reverence to that holy place, which must not be stained with the blood of any human sacrifice, though ever so justly offered. (2.) That whoever appeared for her should die with her: "Him that follows her, to protect or rescue her, any of her attendants that resolve to adhere to her and will not come into the interests of their rightful sovereign, kill with the sword, but not unless they follow her now," Kg2 11:15. According to these orders, she endeavouring to make her escape the back way to the palace, through the stalls, they pursued her, and there killed her, Kg2 11:16. So let thy enemies perish, O Lord! thus give the bloody harlot blood to drink, for she is worthy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv12–16 And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard,…
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard, and of the people,.... Their acclamations and shouts at the coronation of the king; for by this time the people had some knowledge of the affair, and ran, and came flocking to see the new king, and express their joy on this occasion, and whom they greatly praised, Ch2 23:12.
she came to the people into the temple of the Lord; the outward court, where the people were assembled; and she seems to come alone, unattended, in great surprise and consternation, and was admitted to pass the guards, being the queen, and alone, and perhaps by the particular order of Jehoiada, though contrary to the general orders he gave, Kg2 11:8.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv12, 15 Testimony - The book of the law, which he…
Testimony - The book of the law, which he put into the king's hand, to mind him of his duty at his entrance upon his kingdom, which was to read and write out that holy book, Deut. xvii, 18, and to govern himself and his kingdom by it: the law of God being frequently and most properly called a testimony, because it is a witness of God's will, and man's duty.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 15, 16 Verse 12. Put the crown upon him] This was…
Verse 12. Put the crown upon him] This was a diadem or golden band that went round the head.
And - the testimony] Probably the book of the law, written on a roll of vellum. This was his sceptre. Some think that it was placed upon his head, as well as the diadem. The diadem, the testimony, and the anointing oil, were essential to his consecration.
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They clapped their hands] This I believe is the first instance on record of clapping the hands as a testimony of joy.
God save the king] יחי המלך yechi hannmelech; May the king live! So the words should be translated wherever they occur.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv12–16 2Ki 11:12. And put the crown upon him —…
2Ki 11:12. And put the crown upon him — Having produced Joash, he put the crown on his head, which, it is likely, was kept in the sanctuary. And gave him the testimony — The book of the law, which he put into the king’s hand to remind him of his duty at his entrance upon his kingdom, which was to read and write out that holy book, (Deu 17:18,) and to govern himself and his kingdom by it; the law of God being frequently and most properly called a testimony, because it is a witness of God’s will, and man’s duty. They made him king, and anointed him — As was wont to be done in doubtful cases, when there was any competition or question about the crown, as now there was.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 15, 16 The testimony - i. e., “The Book of the…
The testimony - i. e., “The Book of the Law” which was kept in the ark of the covenant (Dent. 31:26). This Jehoiada placed ou the king’s head at the moment of coronation, perhaps to indicate that the king was not to be above, but under, the direction of the Law of his country.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv12–16 The testimony. The book of the law. (Challoner) ---…
The testimony. The book of the law. (Challoner) --- So Job (xxxi. 35, 36.) wished to have the sentence pronounced by God as a crown upon his head. The Orientals still lift to their heads the letters which they have received from people whom they wish to honour. (Thevenot, 46.) --- Some think that the diadem was adorned with phylacteries, or scrolls, containing parts of the law, (Grotius) particularly what related to the king; (Haydock) or that Joas held in his hand a roll of vellum, containing those instructions, (Deuteronomy xvii. 18., and 2 Paralipomenon xxiii. 11.) instead of a sceptre. --- Anointed him, by the hands of Joiada; as this ceremony was requisite on account of the usurpation of Athalia. In peaceable times the unction was not given, (Calmet) according to the Jews, (Haydock) whose sentiment is elsewhere shewn to be unsatisfactory. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv13–15 ATHALIAH SLAIN. (Kg2 11:13-16)
ATHALIAH SLAIN. (Kg2 11:13-16)
Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people--The profound secrecy with which the conspiracy had been conducted rendered the unusual acclamations of the vast assembled crowd the more startling and roused the suspicions of the tyrant.
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she came . . . into the temple of the Lord--that is, the courts, which she was permitted to enter by Jehoiada's directions (Kg2 11:8) in order that she might be secured.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 15, 16 12. He brought forth the king’s son — The…
12. He brought forth the king’s son — The youthful Joash, now seven years old, having been for six of these years hid in the temple. 2Ki_11:3.
And put the crown upon him — In the ceremony of crowning and anointing, Jehoiada, the high priest, officiated.
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Gave him the testimony — The laws of Moses, from which he might read and learn all the days of his life. Compare Deu_17:18-19.
God save the king — Compare 1Sa_10:24. note.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv12–16 12. And he brought forth the king’s son] i.e.…
12. And he brought forth the king’s son] i.e. Jehoiada did so, who had charge of him. The name ‘king’s son’ is perhaps given to him here rather than his personal name, to mark that the struggle was for the true successor.
and gave him the Testimony] The word so rendered occurs first in Exo_16:34, where it is directed that the pot of manna is to be laid up before the Testimony. That by this is meant some portion of the Law which was given to Moses is made clear in a later passage. In Exo_25:16; Exo_25:21 it is described as ‘the Testimony which I shall give thee’. We need not suppose that in these passages the whole law of Moses is intended, but the name given to the first portion of the Law would no doubt be continued in after times for all that was considered to be the divine revelation. Hence we must here understand the Law, as the people then possessed it. Express direction is given in Deu_17:18-19, that when a king shall be chosen he shall have a copy of the Law, which he shall study ‘that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes to do them’. So the delivery of the Law would naturally form a most solemn portion of the coronation ceremony.
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and anointed him] This was not done as far as we know with all kings, but the present was a special occasion, and no part of the ordinance would be omitted which could help to mark in a religious manner the restoration of the true scion of David’s house.
and they clapt their hands] A natural expression of approval and applause, though not frequently spoken of in the O. Test. It is found in the Psa_47:1 of exultation before God, and the figure is used Psa_98:8 ‘Let the floods clap their hands’. But it is quite as frequently used where rejoicing over a fallen enemy is the cause (cf. Job_27:23; Lam_2:15; Nah_3:19).
God save the king] Literally ‘Let the king live’. So they cried when Saul was made king, 1Sa_10:24, and at the feast of Adonijah when he sought to be king, 1Ki_1:25.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv12–16 (12) And he brought forth the king’s son.—When the…
(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 rabbis think of a phylactery on the coronet. (See Deu_6:8.) Thenius says, the Law—i.e., a book in which were written Mosaic ordinances, and which was held in a symbolic manner over the king’s head after he had been crowned. (See Note on 2Ch_23:11.)
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Anointed him.—The chronicler says it was “Jehoiada and his sons” who did it. It is difficult to see what objection can fairly be taken to this explanatory addition, unless we are to suppose that, although the high priest was present, the soldiers of the guard poured the sacred oil on the king’s head. Yet Thenius adduces it as an instance of the “petty spirit of the chronist,” accusing him of inserting the words “for fear anybody should think of an anointing by unconsecrated hands.” Surely such criticism as this is itself both “petty” and “wilful.” The words probably stood in the chronicler’s principal source.
God save the king.—Literally, Vivat rex. (1Ki_1:25.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv12–16 And hei.e. Jehoiadabrought forth the king"s son produced him,…
And hei.e. Jehoiadabrought forth the king"s son produced him, i.e. , from the chamber or chambers where he had been concealed hitherto. (On the temple chambers, see (Neh_13:4-9) And put the crown upon him. That the Israelite kings actually wore crowns appears from 2Sa_1:10 and 1Ch_20:2. The crown was probably a band of gold, either plain or set with jewels, (Zec_9:16) fastened behind with a riband. It receives here the same name that is given to the high priest"s diadem in Exo_29:6 and Exo_39:30. And gave him the testimony. The words "gave him" are not in the original, and are superfluous. What is meant plainly is that the high priest laid on the young king"s head a copy of the Law, or of some essential portion of it, perhaps the Decalogue, which is often called "the testimony". (Exo_16:34 Exo_25:16, Exo_25:21, etc.) The object apparently was to show that the king was to rule by law, not arbitrarily that he was to be, as Dean Stanley says, "not above, but beneath, the law of his country" ("Jewish Church," vol. 2. p. 397). The ceremony seems to have been a new one, and is indicative of the gradual curtailment of the regal power under the later monarchy. And they made him king, and anointed him. A change is made from the singular to the plural, because, as we learn from 2Ch_23:11, "Jehoiada and his sons anointed him." We have had no mention of the anointing of a new monarch in Judah since the time of Solomon. (1Ki_1:39) It may, however, have been the usual practice. And theyi.e. the people all who were present clapped their hands an ordinary sign of joy (see Psa_47:1 Psa_98:8; Nah_3:19, etc.) and said, God save the king! literally, long live the king!. (comp. 1Sa_10:24; 2Sa_16:16; 1Ki_1:25, 1Ki_1:39)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v13 Athaliah Slain
Athaliah Slain
v. 13. And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, as they hailed the king with delight, she came to the people into the Temple of the Lord, driven by curiosity, to find out what the outcry was about.
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v. 14. And when she looked, behold, the king, who was still a very young boy, stood by a pillar, as the manner was, at the place reserved for the king by ancient usage, apparently a platform, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, the latter being Levites or priests blowing the Temple trumpets, as on festival occasions, and all the people of the land rejoiced and blew with trumpets. And Athaliah, who took in the situation at a glance, rent her clothes, in great fear and terror, and cried, Treason, treason!
v. 15. 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, they should lead her out through the ranks, so that she would not be able to communicate with any adherents; and him that followeth her, making a show of taking her part, kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord, which would have been desecrated by the blood of the usurper and murderess.
v. 16. And they laid hands on her, they made way for her to escort her out; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house, inside the city walls; and there was she slain.
v. 17. And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people that they should be the Lord’s people; he solemnly renewed the covenant which had been broken by the idolatry of Athaliah, between the king also and the people, pledging the king to rule according to the Law and the people to give a cheerful obedience to their lawful ruler.
v. 18. And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, the temple which had been erected to the heathen idol at Jerusalem, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, thus removing all the evidences of idol worship in the city of God, and slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, before the altars. And the priest, Jehoiada,appointed officers over the house of the Lord, thus renewing the position of overseers which had been created by David, 1 Chronicles 25.
v. 19. 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, the chief entrance to the royal palace, to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings, as acknowledged ruler of the kingdom of Judah.
v. 20. 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, none of her adherents daring to resent her execution or to venture a hostile demonstration.
v. 21. Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign. The last member of the house of Ahab was now removed, and the legitimate authority of the house of David was restored. The Church of God usually emerges from persecutions intended to take her last strength filled with new power and zeal for the pure Word and Sacraments.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv13, 15 the noise of the guard
the noise of the guard
This refers to the noise made by all the soldiers.
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she came to the people in the house of Yahweh
"she came to where the people had gathered at the temple"
She looked, and, behold, the king was standing
"When she arrived, she was surprised to see King Joash standing"
by the pillar
"by one of the pillars of the temple"
as the custom was
"which was the usual place for the king to stand"
the trumpeters
"the people who played the trumpets"
Athaliah tore her clothes
She tore her clothes to express that she was very upset and angry. (See: Symbolic Action)
Treason! Treason!
"You are traitors! You have betrayed me!"
translationWords
Athaliah
column
joy
trumpet
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv13, 16 11:13-14 The pillar may be one of the two…
11:13-14 The pillar may be one of the two pillars that Solomon erected at the Temple entrance (1 Kgs 7:15-22; 2 Chr 23:13), or the Hebrew term could mean a raised platform set in place for the occasion so that the new king could be seen by all. • Athaliah’s cry of treason is ironic, considering her own treasonous murders to seize the throne (2 Kgs 11:1).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.