2 Kings 11:15

15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds that were set over the host, and said to them, Lead her forth without the ranks; and whosoever follows her, slay with the sword; for the priest said, Let her not be put to death in the house of Jehovah.

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 And Athaliah heard the noise of the couriers [and] of the people; and she came to the people into the house of Jehovah.

14 And she looked, and behold, the king stood on the dais, according to the custom, and the princes and the trumpeters were by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets. And Athaliah rent her garments and cried, Conspiracy! Conspiracy!

15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds that were set over the host, and said to them, Lead her forth without the ranks; and whosoever follows her, slay with the sword; for the priest said, Let her not be put to death in the house of Jehovah.

16 And they made way for her, and she went by the way by which the horses entered the king's house, and there was she put to death.

17 And Jehoiada made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, that they should be the people of Jehovah; and between the king and the people.