Ver. 1. Strengthened himself, and took.] It was a weighty work he went about, and therefore he taketh the wisest course, the fittest time; on the Sabbath, when the congregation met; and in the temple, whither Athaliah and her courtiers seldom came; and not till the people had, for seven years before, borne Athaliah’s tyrannical government, and groaned after deliverance.
Ver. 2. And they went about in Judah.] But with so much silence and secrecy, that Athaliah knew nothing of the business See on 2 Kings 11:4.
Ver. 3. Made a covenant with the king.]. Swearing silence, allegiance, and obedience to him, that they would be his liege people, as he should be their liege lord.
Ver. 4. This is the thing that ye shall do.] See 2 Kings 11:9. Entering on the sabbath day.] The better day the better deed.
Ver. 5. At the gate of the foundation.] Called also the gate of Sur; and why, see on 2 Kings 11:6. The Rabbis say that this gate had seven different names.
Ver. 6. Shall keep the watch of the Lord.] They shall observe to do in this service of the Lord what is given them in charge. Every man must move in his own orb to promote the work of reformation.
Ver. 7. And the Levites shall compass the king.] See 2 Kings 11:8.
Ver. 8. Did according to all things.] See 2 Kings 11:9.
Ver. 9. That had been king David’s.] See 2 Kings 11:10. The very heathens consecrated their arma victricia, weapons wherewith they had done great exploits, to their gods; as giving them the honour of their victories.
Ver. 10. And he set all the people…by the king round about.] Subjects should stand by their princes, and defend them to their utmost; resolving to live and die with them. See 2 Kings 11:11.
Ver. 11. Then they brought out the king’s son.] See 2 Kings 11:12. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him.] Good Zechariah among the rest, who was afterwards, for his faithful discharge of his duty, put to death by this ungrateful prince. (2 Chronicles 24:21) And said, God save the king.] This they said out of a good and upright heart; not as Squire the traitor, in Queen Elizabeth’s days, who said cheerfully, God save the queen, and at the same time poisoned the pummel of her saddle, when she was about to ride abroad, with intent to have destroyed her. Speed.
Ver. 12. Now when Athaliah.] See 2 Kings 11:13.
Ver. 13. Stood at his pillar.] See 2 Kings 11:14. And all the people of the land rejoiced.] Because they were now freed from Athaliah’s tyranny. “ Post nubila Phaebus. Flebile principium melior fortuna sequetur.”
Ver. 14. Have her forth.] See 2 Kings 11:15. Their fingers even itched to be slaying her in the very temple; so hateful had she made herself. And whoso followeth her.] As none did in this condition. And the like befell her mother Jezebel, Nero, and other tyrants.
Ver. 15. So they laid hands on her.] Which she once thought none durst have done; but the craftiest and strongest creatures are taken and slain by men. “ Elephas grandis est, et occiditur: Leo fortis est, et occiditur: Cave multos, si singulos non times, ” said the comedian covertly to Maximinus the emperor, who professed to fear no man: but when his head was soon after brought to Rome, all ran to the altars to thank the gods; and Balbinus, who succeeded him, sacrificed hecatombs, commanding the same to be done throughout the empire. Or, They made a lane for her. Capitolin.
Ver. 16. And Jehoiada made a covenant between him.] As God’s minister, representing his person in this action. And between the king.] Whom he bindeth not to himself, as the Pope doth Christian princes, but to God.
Ver. 17. Then all the people.] See 2 Kings 11:18. This was the joyful day that God’s people had so long prayed for. Pray and look up: an answer will surely come down.
Ver. 18. Also Jehoiada appointed.] See 2 Kings 11:18.
Ver. 19. And he set the porters.] He rested not till he had set all to rights, though all could not be done at once. This was a good lord protector. That none which was unclean in anything should enter in.] Oh that we also had store of such porters, to keep out the unclean from holy ordinances!
Ver. 20. And brought down the king.] See 2 Kings 11:19.
Ver. 21. And all the people of the land rejoiced.] So, and much more shall the whole community of God’s people do, when the whore of Rome is executed by Christ, the true Jehoiada, who shall throw her out of the temple, and burn her with fire, because she hath slain the seed royal, put down kings at her pleasure, usurped the government of the Church, set up altars and images to Baalim, called such traitors as seek to set the crown upon Christ’s head, &c. But how impudent and ungrateful was Rhiston the Jesuit, who being condemned to die, and yet pardoned by Queen Elizabeth, ran beyond sea, and railed on her in print, saying that she was worse than Athaliah, Maachah, Jezebel, Herodias, &c.