2 Kings 11:15

15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, "Bring her out between * * the ranks, and whoever follows * her put to death with the sword." For the priest said, "Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD."

2 Kings 11:15 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 11:15

But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the
hundreds, the officers of the host
Of the priests and Levites:

and said unto them, have her forth without the ranges;
the ranks of the guards, which were at the gate leading to the palace, or rather "within" them F7; the meaning is, that he ordered her to be had out of the court of the temple, and be put within their ranks, and enclosed by them, that her blood might not be shed in the temple, and yet not escape them:

and him that followeth her, kill with the sword:
that takes her part, and offers to help and assist her, passing through the ranks after her, dispatch him at once:

for the priest had said, let her not be slain in the house of the Lord:
that it might not be defiled with her blood; by which it appears that the guards had orders concerning her before, should she come to the temple, see ( 2 Kings 11:13 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (trdvl tybm) "intra ordines", Munster, Junius, Tremellius, Piscator, Noldius, p. 79. No. 365. So Jarchi, Kimchi, Ben Gersom, & Ben Melech.

2 Kings 11:15 In-Context

13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people in the house of the LORD .
14 She looked and behold, the king was standing by the pillar, according to the custom, with the captains and the trumpeters beside the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, "Treason! Treason!"
15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks, and whoever follows her put to death with the sword." For the priest said, "Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD ."
16 So they seized her, and when she arrived at the horses' entrance of the king's house, she was put to death there.
17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they would be the LORD'S people, also between the king and the people.

Footnotes 1

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