2 Kings 11:14

And when she looked, behold, the king R.V. And she looked and behold the king. This, the literal translation of the Hebrew, is the form adopted in 2 Chron. The original is the same in both places.

stood by a[R.V. the] pillar By this word is clearly designated some spot which was the special position of the king on such occasions. We see that Athaliah took in the whole scene at a glance and knew without telling what was going on. The word -pillar" is the same which is used for the two, Jachin and Boaz (1 Kings 7:21), which stood as ornamental pillars in the porch of the temple, and which being ornamental could doubtless be seen by all in the court. If we suppose one of these set apart as the station of the king at his coronation, the position would be admirably suited for the purpose. Otherwise we must understand some special erection in the court of the temple, of which there is no mention till this passage, and afterwards in chap. 2 Kings 23:3. The situation of the pillar is described in 2 Chronicles 23:13 as -at the entering in", words which would not unfitly describe the position of the two pillars erected in the temple porch.

as the mannerwas] Hence it was a well-known spot appropriated to such occasions.

and the princes and the trumpeters R.V. the captains and the trumpets. The -captains" were those -over hundreds" mentioned before. -Trumpets" of course implies -trumpeters" but the word is literally translated in 2 Chron., and the two places should agree. The persons who blew with the trumpets were probably the Levites, for in chap. 2 Kings 12:13, -trumpets" are recounted as among the furniture of the temple, and these would be used only by priests or Levites. In 2 Chronicles 7:6; 2 Chronicles 13:14 we have the priests sounding trumpets.

and all the people of the land rejoiced Shewing that there was a numerous convocation. The gathering would be larger than usual because the Sabbath had been chosen for these operations.

and[R.V. Then] Athaliah rent her clothes Seeing with horror that priests and soldiery and the assembled people were all of one mind, and against her.