2 Kings 11

1 Now when `Atalyah the mother of Achazyah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.

2 But Yehosheva, the daughter of king Yoram, sister of Achazyah, took Yo'ash the son of Achazyah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, [and put them] in the bedchamber; and they hid him from `Atalyah, so that he was not slain;

3 He was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. `Atalyah reigned over the land.

4 In the seventh year Yehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Kari and of the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD; and he made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shown them the king's son.

5 He commanded them, saying, This is the thing that you shall do: a third part of you, who come in on the Shabbat, shall be keepers of the watch of the king's house;

6 A third part shall be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall you keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.

7 The two companies of you, even all who go forth on the Shabbat, shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.

8 You shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain: and be you with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in.

9 The captains over hundreds did according to all that Yehoiada the Kohen commanded; and they took every man his men, those who were to come in on the Shabbat, with those who were to go out on the Shabbat, and came to Yehoiada the Kohen.

10 The Kohen delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the house of the LORD.

11 The 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, by the king round about.

12 Then he brought out the king's son, and put the crown on him, and [gave him] the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, [Long] live the king.

13 When `Atalyah heard the noise of the guard [and of] the people, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:

14 and she looked, and, behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the manner was, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then `Atalyah tore her clothes, and cried, Treason! treason!

15 Yehoiada the Kohen commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the host, and said to them, Have her forth between the ranks; and him who follows her kill with the sword. For the Kohen said, Don't let her be slain in the house of the LORD.

16 So they made way for her; and she went by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house: and there was she slain.

17 Yehoiada 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.

18 All the people of the land went to the house of Ba`al, and broke it down; his altars and his images broke they in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the Kohen of Ba`al before the altars. The Kohen appointed officers over the house of the LORD.

19 He took the captains over hundreds, and the Kari, 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. He sat on the throne of the kings.

20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. `Atalyah they had slain with the sword at the king's house.

21 Yeho'ash was seven years old when he began to reign.

2 Kings 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

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 Son of David, the Lord, according to his promise, will secure a spiritual seed, hidden sometimes, and unseen, but hidden in God's pavilion, and unhurt. Six years Athaliah tyrannized. Then the king was brought forward. A child indeed, but he had a good guardian, and, what was better, a good God to go to With such joy and satisfaction must the kingdom of Christ be welcomed into our hearts, when his throne is set up there, and Satan the usurper is cast out. Say, Let the King, even Jesus, live, for ever live and reign in my soul, and in all the world.

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.

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; and, pursuant to the covenant with one another, they expressed mutual readiness to help each other. The people rejoiced, and Jerusalem was quiet. The way for people to be joyful and at peace, is to engage fully in the service of God; for the voice of joy and thanksgiving is in the dwellings of the righteous, but there is no peace for the wicked.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 11

This chapter relates how that Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, being hid and preserved, when his grandmother murdered all the seed royal, after six years was produced, 2Ki 11:1-3, when Jehoiada the priest set a sufficient guard about him, and the king's house, and anointed him king, 2Ki 11:4-12, and Athaliah his grandmother, who had reigned six years, was put to death by the order of the priest, 2Ki 10:13-16, and then a covenant was made between the Lord, and the king, and the people, and between the king and the people; and he was placed on the throne, to the satisfaction of the people, and the quiet thereof, 2Ki 10:17-21.