2 Kings 11 Study Notes

11:12 Young Joash was enthroned by the conspirators. The best symbol of the royal theology behind the Davidic dynasty was the testimony, the king’s personal copy of the covenant that was prepared by the Levites (Dt 17:18). However, some see this as a physical symbol of royal status, perhaps a royal armband (2Sm 1:10). The theologically proper enthronement also demanded the presence of a high priest (see the role of Abiathar with Adonijah; 1Kg 1:7) and the bestowal of the crown.

11:13-14a The word pillar may designate a traditional place where the king was publicly recognized or perhaps a traditional place of covenant renewal (23:3). If this portico of the Lord’s temple was also a hall of pillars (1Kg 7:6; the words “portico” and “hall” used in this verse can be the same Hebrew word), then this pillar could have been one of the pillars in that area. Otherwise one of the great bronze pillars was intended.

11:14b-16 Instead of withdrawing to gather support, Athaliah tried to halt the ceremony. She was removed from the sacred precincts and executed. This clearly evidenced her lack of support.

11:17 The public coronation of the young king before all the people began with a covenant renewal. The nation did not just choose a king; the people renewed their covenant relationship with God. Every enthronement of a new king theoretically involved a covenant renewal since a treaty of loyalty was normally renewed every time a new king ascended the throne.

11:18 A natural step in obedience to the covenant was the destruction of the temple of Baal. Killing the priest of Baal at the altar was an insulting desecration of that altar.

11:19-20 The public coronation ended with taking the young king to the palace, where he was placed on the throne.