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 ]