Keraia
2 Kings 11

2 Kings 11:6

Joash Anointed King of Judah · 2 Kings 11:4–12
Read 2 Kings 11

Translations

Modern
…a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple—
Traditional
And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
Literal
…and a third at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the runners. And you shall keep the watch of the house pulled down.
Latin
…tertia pars vestrum introëat sabbato, et observet excubias domus regis. Tertia autem pars sit ad portam Sur, et tertia pars sit ad portam quæ est post habitaculum scutariorum: et custodietis excubias domus Messa.

Original

Hebrew
English
…a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple—

Notes

2 Kings 11:5–8

Jehoiada organized the royal guard into specific groups. Some protected the young king. Others took positions at the palace, the Sur Gate (also called the Foundation Gate, 2 Chronicles 23:5), and behind the palace guard. Additional guards stood watch at the Lord’s temple. Every effort was made to secure the king and the anointing site.

2 Kings 11:1–16

Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and the wife of King Jehoram of Judah (2 Kings 8:18, 26). As queen mother, she had significant influence, but she used it for evil (2 Kings 8:18, 27; 2 Chronicles 22:3–4). Her plans included destroying the rest of the royal family (see 2 Chronicles 22:10).

While Ahab’s family in Samaria was completely destroyed, Athaliah took control in Judah through a massacre similar to Jehu’s slaughter of her family in Samaria.

Parallels

2 Chronicles 23:1–11

Places

Sur: Gate of the temple in Jerusalem

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ahaziah Athaliah Family Life and Relations Foundation Gate Gatekeepers Jehoiada Kerethites Kings, Books of First and Second Sur Gate Temple

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Determine Royal Succession Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Citizens: Loyal: Jehoiada Conspiracy of Jehoiada Fatherless: Joash Loyalty: Jehoiada Orphan: Joash Prophecies Concerning Israel: Athaliah, his Mother, Succeeds Him Religious Zeal: Jehoiada Sur: Gate of the Temple The Levites: Guarded King's Person and House in Times of Danger Usurpation of Political Functions by Athaliah Watchman: At the Gates of the Temple Watchmen were Stationed: Around the Temple in Jerusalem on Special Occasions Women: Athaliah Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne