2 Reis 11
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Reis 11
NJB (MT versing) Athaliah Queen of Judah Athaliah Reigns in Judah The Usurpation of Athaliah in Judah Queen Athaliah of Judah Athaliah (841-835) 11:1-3 11:1-3 11:1-3 11:1-3 11:1 Joash Crowned King of Judah The Revolt Against Her 11:2-3 11:4-8 11:4-8 11:4-8 11:4-8 11:4-8 11:9-12 11:9-12 11:9-12 11:9-12 11:9-12 Death of Athaliah The Coronation of Joash (Jehoash) 11:13-16 11:13-16 11:13-16 11:13-14 11:13-16 11:15-16 Jehoiada's Reforms 11:17-20 11:17-21 11:17-20 11:17-18a 11:17-18a 11:18b-20 11:18b-20 11:21 11:21 11:21 Etc.
2 Reis 11:1-3
11:1 "Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah" She was the granddaughter of Omri, King of Israel (cf. 2 Kgs. 8:26). Both mother and son were Ba'al worshipers (2 Kgs. 8:27), following her parents, Ahab and Jezebel. Her marriage to Jehoram, King of Judah, was to form a political alliance with Israel (2 Kgs. 8:16-18). SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE ▣ "she rose and destroyed all the royal offspring" She wanted to reign and acted to secure her reign by killing all the royal seed. But this would violate YHWH's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17. She had all her relatives killed who were descendants of David. There were not many left. her husband Jehoram (Joram) had his brothers killed (2 Chr. 21:1-4) a divinely sent Arab raid took others into captivity (2 Chr. 21:16-17) a divinely sent Jehu killed other relatives in 2 Kgs. 10:13-14 11:2 "Jehosheba" In 2 Chr. 22:11 she is named Jehoshabeath. She was King Jehoram of Judah's daughter wife of Jehoida the priest (2 Chr. 22:11) sister of King Ahaziah (2 Chr. 22:11; Josephus, Antiq. 9.7.1, half sister) Athaliah's daughter or the daughter of another/wife/concubine of Jehoram (cf. 2 Kgs. 12:11) What a brave and godly woman! What a contrast to Athaliah. SPECIAL TOPIC: WOMEN IN THE BIBLE ▣ "Joash the son of Ahaziah" He is called "Jehoash" in v. 21 (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 279-280). The account of Ahaziah's death is recorded in 2 Kgs. 9:27-28. The Jewish Study Bible, p. 747, has an interesting note about why the names of kings of this period have different spellings. "Joash (cf. Also 12-19, 20; 13:1) is also called Jehoash (12:1, 5). The difference in the form of the name is due to peculiarities in regional pronunciations of Heb during the biblical period. Both forms are found in Kings because the author tended to write names as he found them in his sources." The same kind of variation is found in the name Athaliah. ▣ "in the bedroom" This term (BDB 641) can mean where one sleeps ‒ Exod. 8:3; 2 Sam. 4:7; 2 Kgs. 6:12 where extra bedding is stored ‒ 2 Kgs. 11:1; 2 Chr. 22:11 Later the boy was kept in the temple chambers reserved for the priests (or possibly the High Priest only, v. 3; suggestion by Rashi and Kimchi). This is why Athaliah could not find him. 11:3 "while Athaliah was reigning over the land" This means that during a period of six years Baalism was brought into Judah on a large scale (i.e., 2 Chr. 24:7). There was even a temple to Ba'al built in or near Jerusalem with its own high priest (cf. v. 18). This same verse is the only summary statement of Athaliah's reign. She is not in any kings list.
2 Reis 11:4-8
11:4 "Jehoiada" This is the High Priest (lit. "the priest") married to Jehoshapbeath in 2 Chr. 22:11, who helped hide Joash in the temple chambers for six years. The five men listed must also be of the tribe of Levi. ▣ "captains of hundreds" This includes some foreign mercenaries (cf. 1 Chr. 18:17). This may be the meaning of 2 Chr. 23:6, not just lay people (i.e., non-Levite), but not covenant people (i.e., Carites or Cherethites). ▣ "the Carites" This (BDB 501) seems to refer to the same foreign mercenaries that served David and Solomon. However, they are often called "Cherethites" (i.e., slight emendation, cf. 1 Sam. 30:14 and LXX). They are also associated with the "Pelethites" (cf. 2 Sam. 8:18; 20:23; 1 Kgs. 1:38). They were an extremely loyal foreign body of troops within the nation of Judah. They are not mentioned in the 2 Chronicles parallel. See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 221. ▣ "in the house of the Lord" This refers to Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. ▣ "made a covenant" This VERB is literally "cut" (BDB 503, KB 500, Qal IMPERFECT with waw). Apparently there is much more involved here than simply a religious oath taken by several men (vv. 5-8). From 2 Chr. 23:2 we learn that the majority of the Levites and priests of the kingdom of Judah were involved. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT 11:6 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, REB, JPSOA "the gate Sur" —omit— "the gate of the roads" "the gate of Kersa" The parallel in 2 Chr. 23:5 has "the Gate of the Foundation." BDB 694 II calls it "proper name for an inner temple and palace gate" (i.e., to the surrounding compound wall). Sur, סור (BDB 694 II, only here) of the foundation, יסוד (BDB 414) See a good brief note in ABD, vol. 6, p. 242. ▣ "for defense" NKJV, Rashi "lest it be broken down" NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, LXX —omit— "on every side" "that it be in perfect order" The last word in the MT (BDB 587, KB 605) is unknown (possibly a place name). There are many guesses (KB, "alternating" or "in turn"). Several modern translations omit all of verse 6 as a gloss (NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 113). 11:8 There may have been an outer guard of mercenaries (2 Kings) and an inner guard of Levites (2 Chronicles).
2 Reis 11:9-12
11:9 "on the Sabbath" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SABBATH (OT). 11:10 Jehoiada passed out weapons that were kept in the temple. David's shields of gold ‒ 2 Sam. 8:7; 1 Chr. 18:7 Solomon's shields of gold ‒ 1 Kgs. 10:16-17; 14:26-27; 2 Chr. 9:16 Shishak of Egypt took Solomon's shields of gold and Rehoboam replaced them with bronze ones, 2 Chr. 12:9-10 The 2 Chr. 23:9 parallel adds another kind of "shield" (BDB 171) not mentioned here (i.e., "shields," BDB 1020). ▣ "spears" This spear (BDB 333; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 197-200) was a shorter and lighter spear (cf. 1 Sam. 18:11; 20:33). Another heavier spear (BDB 942) was also used (cf. 1 Kgs. 18:28; 2 Chr. 11:12; 12:9,25; 14:7; 25:5; 26:14). See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 242. 11:11 NASB, NRSV, NJB, REB, JPSOA, Peshitta "the guards" "the escorts" "the runners" The MT has a PARTICIPLE (BDB 930, KB 1207, Qal ACTIVE) which means "the ones running." This designation is used of royal servants and messengers. royal bodyguard ‒ 1 Sam. 22:17; 1 Kgs. 14:27-28; 2 Kgs. 10:25; 11:4,6,11,19; 2 Chr. 12:10-11 runners ‒ 1 Sam. 8:11; 2 Sam. 15:1; 1 Kgs. 1:5 messengers ‒ 2 Sam. 18:21-26 #2 and #3 parallel in Jer. 51:31 ▣ "the altar" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE. 11:12 Notice all the elements of this procedure. the special place ‒ the temple put the crown on him (cf. 2 Sam. 1:10) give him the testimony or bracelet anointed him (by "the priest") clapped their hands (a gesture of affirmation) gave royal verbal affirmation ‒ "long live the King" (cf. 1 Sam. 10:24; 1 Kgs. 1:25,34,39) later blew the trumpets (v. 14, cf. 2 Chr. 23:13) later he sat on the throne (v. 19) ▣ "the crown" The Hebrew word for crown, "Nezer" (BDB 634; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 74-75) is related to the miter of the high priest (cf. Exod. 28:36-38; 29:6; 39:30,31). They both seem to involve a heightened sense of holiness, dedication, and commitment. ▣ "the testimony" This could refer to the Torah, the law of Moses, or the Pentateuch. It is improbable that the young king had the actual tablets of stone placed on his lap for they were in the Ark of the Covenant, and by this time, no one would open the ark because it had become so holy and renowned. It probably refers to a copy (cf. Exod. 25:16; 31:18; Deut. 17:18; see K. A. Kitchen, Ancient Orient and Old Testament, pp. 108-109). The UBS Text Project, p. 354, mentions the similarities between the armlet/bracelet (BDB 858, cf. Num. 31:50) of 2 Sam. 1:10, ואת - הצעדות the testimony (BDB 730), here (cf. Exod. 16:34; 31:18; 32:15; 34:29; 40:20), ואת - העדות but gives "testimony" an "A" rating (high probability). The "bracelet" (BDB 858) is not mentioned in this context. BDB 730 suggests that #1 is meant here (so too, JPSOA translation, "the insignia"). ▣ "anointed him" The term Messiah also comes from the same root. It refers to the special choice and equipping of God for a task. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH
2 Reis 11:13-16
11:14 "standing by the pillar" This refers either to one of the two pillars of Solomon's temple (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:15-22), on each side of the entrance of the Holy Place where the king would have a prominent view and be conspicuous to all (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:21; 2 Chr. 3:17; 34:31) a raised platform built especially for the king and his entourage (cf. 2 Chr. 6:13; 23:13 in Vulgate but especially in Neh. 8:4) ▣ "Athaliah tore her clothes" See SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES. ▣ "Treason! Treason!" This exclamation (BDB 905) is repeated for emphasis (cf. 2 Kgs. 9:23; 2 Chr. 23:13). What she considered "treason" was YHWH's justice! 11:15 NASB, NRSV, JPSOA, Peshitta "Bring her out between the ranks" NKJV, NJB "Take her outside under guard" "take her out between the rows of guards" "bring her outside the precincts" "bring her out from inside the saderoth" The term "ranks" (BDB 690, KB 1310) can mean a line of soldiers (KB #2) a row of pillars (Egyptian root) or planks (KB, #1, cf. 1 Kgs, 6:9) ▣ "whoever follows her put to death" Josephus, Antiq. 9.7.3, says Athaliah came with her royal guard whom she ordered to kill the crowned child, but she was stopped and she and her supporters killed. ▣ "Let her not be put to death in the house of the Lord" This (BDB 559, KB 562, Hophal) is an IMPERFECT used as a JUSSIVE (cf. 2 Chr. 23:6,7). 11:16 Notice the parties to this covenant renewal event. the new king the High Priest the people of Judah SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT
2 Reis 11:17-20
11:17 This was, in a sense, a covenant renewal ceremony, like Josh. 8:30-35; 24; 2 Sam. 5:3; 1 Chr. 11:3; 2 Chr. 29:1-11; or 2 Kings 22-23. It was a way of asserting the uniqueness of YHWH (monotheism) YHWH's choice of Abraham and his descendants the validity and necessity of obedience to the Law of Moses the continuation of the promises to David and his seed (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17) SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 11:18 "the house of Baal" Ahab had built a house (temple) for Ba'al in the capital city of Samaria (cf. 1 Kgs. 16:32; 2 Kgs. 10:21,26,27). Since Ahab had married the daughter of the king of Tyre, Ethbaal, this was probably a temple to Ba'al Melqart. But this house of Ba'al was in Jerusalem. The influence of Ahab and Jezebel had polluted Judah also. It must have been next to Solomon's temple or even on its grounds (cf. v. 18). ▣ "altars. . .images" An altar to Ba'al was located in every village in Canaan. Each locale had its own cut stone raised platform with a raised pillar and Asherah pole. The Judeans destroyed the central shrine in Jerusalem, as well as all the local pillars and poles. Athaliah may have had this Ba'al house in Jerusalem built, probably a copy of the one in Samaria. ▣ "they broke in pieces thoroughly" This is an intensified Hebrew grammatical feature. VERB "to break in pieces" ‒ BDB 990, KB 1402, Piel PERFECT Hiphil INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE ‒ BDB 405, KB 408 used in the sense of thoroughly (BDB 405, #3, cf. Deut. 9:21; 13:14; 17:4; 19:18; 27:8) ▣ "And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord" Apparently Athaliah had abandoned Solomon's temple for Ba'al's temple. With it destroyed, the neglected and looted Lord's house became a priority again. The term "officers" (BDB 824) means "overseer." They are mentioned in 1 Chr. 23:11; 24:3,19. 11:19 Notice all the levels of society from the parallel in 2 Chr. 23:20. all the people of the land (BDB 481 CONSTRUCT BDB 766 I) captains of hundreds (military leaders, BDB 987) foreign mercenaries (BDB 501) 2 Chr. 23:20 adds "nobles" (BDB 12), which could refers to poor people (i.e., agricultural workers) wealthy landowners (cf. 2 Kgs. 21:24; i.e., the term is used this way in 2 Kings; 2 Chronicles; Jeremiah; Ezekiel) but here the wealthy fits best 2 Chr. 23:20 adds "the rulers of the people" (BDB 766 I), which would denote civic leaders 11:20 The VERBS "rejoiced" (BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) and "was quiet" (BDB 1052, KB 1641, Qal PERFECT) seem to conflict. Possibly they occurred at different points rejoice at the king's coronation quiet at the death of Athaliah "quiet" refers to the supporters of Athaliah and worshipers of Ba'al not causing trouble
2 Reis 11:21
11:21 Jehoash was only seven years old. This meant his godly counselors would control the nation for years (cf. 2 Chr. 24:1-16; like Josiah). The bad years are recorded in 2 Chr. 24:17-27.