2 Kings 11:6

6 A third of you will be at the Sur Gate, and another third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will guard the Temple.

2 Kings 11:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 11:6

And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur
Generally thought by the Jews to be the eastern gate, so called, as they say, because such as were defiled were bid to depart, or go back, as this word signifies, and not enter the temple; it is called "the gate of the foundation", ( 2 Chronicles 23:5 ) because, according to Ben Gersom, here the foundation of the sanctuary was first laid; it is said F2 to have five other names besides these:

and a third part at the gate behind the guard;
the temple guard, which had a captain of them, ( Acts 4:1 ) this gate is supposed to be the same with "sippim", or the threshold gate, ( 2 Chronicles 23:4 ) and to be the southern one:

so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down;
guard the temple, that none break or rush into it, of Athaliah's party.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 T. Hieros. Yoma apud Beckium in Targ. in 2 Chron. xxiii. 5.

2 Kings 11:6 In-Context

4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of groups of a hundred men, as well as the Carites. He brought them together in the Temple of the Lord and made an agreement with them. There, in the Temple of the Lord, he made them promise loyalty, and then he showed them the king's son.
5 He commanded them, "This is what you must do. A third of you who go on duty on the Sabbath will guard the king's palace.
6 A third of you will be at the Sur Gate, and another third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will guard the Temple.
7 The two groups who go off duty on the Sabbath must protect the Temple of the Lord for the king.
8 All of you must stand around the king, each man with his weapons in his hand. If anyone comes near, kill him. Stay close to the king when he goes out and when he comes in."
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.