THE USURPATION OF ATHALIAH AND PRESERVATION OF JOASH
1. Athaliah] She was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Kings 8:18; 2
Kings 8:26), possessed her mother's high courage, and, like her, was a
devoted worshipper of Baal. Her position as queenmother she would
naturally lose on the accession of Aha... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE BEDCHAMBER] This was presumably one of the side-chambers of the
Temple described in 1 Kings 6:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHOIADA] He was the high priest and married to the princess Jehosheba
(2 Chronicles 22:11).
RULERS] For their names see 2 Chronicles 23:1. CAPTAINS] RV 'Carites'
(and so in 2 Kings 11:19). These were probably foreign mercenaries
from Caria in Asia Minor (they are mentioned by Herodotus as employed... [ Continue Reading ]
A THIRD PART OF YOU, etc.] The precise arrangements are obscure, but
it is probable that on the sabbath one-third of the royal guards were
on duty at the palace and twothirds at the Temple; of these the former
body, separated into three divisions (2 Kings 11:5), was posted at
different parts of the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GATE OF SUR] RV omits 'of.' In 2 Chronicles 23:5 it is called 'the
gate of the foundation.' Position unknown. THAT IT BE NOT BROKEN DOWN]
better, 'and be a barrier.'... [ Continue Reading ]
RANGES] RV 'ranks,' and so in 2 Chronicles 23:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Along_ BY THE ALTAR] i.e. the troops were posted in two columns
converging towards the altar of burnt offering in the Temple court, so
as to enclose a triangular space.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TESTIMONY] i.e. a copy of the Law: cp. Exodus 25:16, and see
Deuteronomy 17:18. But the literal rendering is, 'they put upon him
the crown and the testimony,' and the last word should perhaps be 'the
bracelets' which kings wore as part of their insignia (2 Samuel 1:10).
(In the Heb. there is onl... [ Continue Reading ]
BY A PILLAR] perhaps better, 'on the platform,' from which the king
used to address the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT THE RANGES] RV 'between the ranks,' so that she was surrounded
by troops.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAID HANDS ON HER] So the LXX. RV has,' made way for her' (so that she
might be got out of the Temple before she was slain).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOUSE OF BAAL] i.e. of the Zidonian Baal to whose worship
Athaliah, as the daughter of Jezebel, adhered. According to Josephus
this temple was built by Jehoram and Athaliah.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL.. REJOICED] The brief usurpation of Athaliah was the only
interruption to the orderly succession of kings of the house of David
throughout the history of Judah, a fact which testifies to the strong
attachment which the people felt towards it, and forms a striking
fulfilment of the promise made t... [ Continue Reading ]