2 Kings 11 10

2 Kings 11:10 kjv

And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:10 nkjv

And the priest gave the captains of hundreds the spears and shields which had belonged to King David, that were in the temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:10 niv

Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:10 esv

And the priest gave to the captains the spears and shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 11:10 nlt

and he supplied them with the spears and small shields that had once belonged to King David and were stored in the Temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 11 verses

2 Kings 11 10 Meaning

This verse describes the pivotal moment when Jehoiada the priest strategically distributed significant weaponry – spears and shields that belonged to King David and were stored in the House of the Lord – to the military captains loyal to the true heir. This act equipped the forces necessary for the overthrow of the usurper Athaliah and the re-establishment of the rightful Davidic king, Joash, asserting divine sanction over the military operation to restore the covenant line.

2 Kings 11 10 Context

2 Kings 11 describes the restoration of the legitimate Davidic monarchy after Queen Athaliah's murderous coup and six-year usurpation. Following the death of King Ahaziah, his mother Athaliah massacred all the royal heirs to seize the throne. However, Joash, a single infant prince, was secretly rescued by his aunt Jehosheba (sister of Ahaziah and wife of Jehoiada the high priest) and hidden within the Temple for six years (2 Kgs 11:1-3). During this period, Jehoiada meticulously planned the return of the true king. Verse 10 details a critical phase of this plan, where loyal military captains were secretly armed with historically significant weapons, preparing for the dramatic public unveiling and coronation of Joash. This arming from the sacred Temple underscores the religious and historical legitimacy of Jehoiada's actions and Joash's claim to the throne, leading directly to Athaliah's overthrow and the re-establishment of righteous rule in Judah.

2 Kings 11 10 Word analysis

• And to the captains over hundreds:

  • Hebrew: wəlašśārê hammēʾôt (וְלַשָּׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת).
  • "Captains" (śarîm) implies leadership and authority, military or civil officials. "Over hundreds" refers to a standard unit of military organization, highlighting that Jehoiada was entrusting these key weapons to seasoned, reliable commanders. This was not a general arming of the populace but a targeted deployment of forces under strategic leadership.

• he gave:

  • Hebrew: wayyittēn (וַיִּתֵּן).
  • The subject is Jehoiada the priest, demonstrating his active leadership and authority in this critical military and religious maneuver. His giving is an act of commissioning and empowering the loyal forces for their divinely sanctioned mission.

• spears and shields:

  • Hebrew: ʾeṯ haḥănîṯôṯ wəʾeṯ haššəlāṭîm (אֶת־הַחֲנִיתוֹת וְאֶת־הַשְּׁלָטִים).
  • "Spears" (ḥănîtôṯ) were offensive, thrusting weapons, while "shields" (šəlāṭîm or māḡēn for smaller shields, ṣinnâ for larger) were defensive. Together, they represent a complete set of primary combat gear for foot soldiers. Their provision was essential for effective battle.

• which had been King David’s:

  • Hebrew: ʾăšer ləḏāwiḏ hammelaḵ (אֲשֶׁר לְדָוִד הַמֶּלֶךְ).
  • This phrase is profoundly significant. These were not just any weapons, but symbolic artifacts linking back to Judah's greatest king. Their connection to David served multiple purposes:
    • Legitimacy: It visually underscored Joash's legitimate claim to the Davidic throne. The use of David's own armaments implied continuity and divine favor, asserting the true line against Athaliah's usurpation.
    • Inspiration: These weapons likely inspired confidence and courage among the soldiers, recalling David's victories achieved through God's strength.
    • Sanctity: Their very existence implies their dedication or preservation, perhaps as spoils of war dedicated by David to the Lord (see 2 Sam 8:7-8).
    • Whether they were David's personal battle weapons or symbolic representations from his era kept as a royal relic is debated, but their association with him imbued them with immense spiritual and political power.

• that were in the house of the Lord:

  • Hebrew: hannimṣəʾîm bəḇêṯ YHWH (הַנִּמְצְאִים בְּבֵית יְהוָה).
  • "House of the Lord" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This is crucial as the Temple was primarily a place of worship and sacred storage, not a general armory.
  • Sacred Storage: Its presence in the Temple signified that these were either highly valuable, consecrated items dedicated to God, or part of the royal treasury stored securely under priestly care. It shows that even King David's personal items, once dedicated, were preserved in a holy context.
  • Divine Approval: Distributing weapons from the Temple, rather than from a conventional armory, powerfully demonstrated that Jehoiada's actions had divine sanction. It transformed a military coup into a religiously authorized restoration of God's covenant order.
  • Security: The Temple also served as a secure location, providing a safe place for Joash to be hidden and for the preparations to take place discreetly.

2 Kings 11 10 Bonus section

• The careful planning by Jehoiada illustrates wisdom and discernment, not impulsive action. His seven-year concealment of Joash and subsequent strategic timing show deep trust in God's ultimate plan and careful preparation.
• The Temple's role here expands beyond its primary function as a place of worship to a place of refuge and even a strategic base for restoring the divinely appointed king, highlighting its centrality to the national life and its role in protecting the covenant lineage.
• The weapons served not only a practical military purpose but also functioned as potent visual and psychological symbols, invoking the memory of King David and rallying the soldiers and populace behind the rightful heir. This emphasizes the importance of symbols in communicating divine will and legitimacy in ancient societies.
• This episode stands as a testament to God's covenant faithfulness (2 Sam 7) in preserving a remnant of the Davidic line despite concerted efforts by an enemy (Athaliah) to eradicate it. It echoes a broader biblical theme of God's sovereign preservation through a hidden remnant or a seemingly weak individual.

2 Kings 11 10 Commentary

2 Kings 11:10 marks a crucial and deeply symbolic moment in the divine preservation of the Davidic line. Jehoiada the priest, in his calculated overthrow of Athaliah, did not merely equip his loyal captains with weapons; he distributed instruments imbued with powerful historical and sacred meaning. The "spears and shields, which had been King David’s," served as tangible links to Judah's foundational covenant and strongest kingship. Stored within the "House of the Lord," these weapons underscore the sacredness of the enterprise – this was not a mere political coup but a divinely sanctioned mission to restore the legitimate monarchy and God's order. The Temple, not traditionally an armory, became the staging ground, symbolizing God's active involvement and legitimizing Joash's hidden existence and imminent ascent. This act demonstrates Jehoiada's wisdom in blending military strategy with profound religious and dynastic symbolism, invoking David's legacy and God's covenant fidelity to rally support and ensure the successful return of the true king. It reflects God's faithfulness to His promises, often working through righteous human agents and utilizing unexpected means to accomplish His will.