2 Kings 11 14

2 Kings 11:14 kjv

And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.

2 Kings 11:14 nkjv

When she looked, there was the king standing by a pillar according to custom; and the leaders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. So Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Kings 11:14 niv

She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Kings 11:14 esv

And when she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Kings 11:14 nlt

When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The commanders and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, "Treason! Treason!"

2 Kings 11 verses

2 Kings 11 14 Meaning

2 Kings 11:14 describes the critical moment when Queen Athaliah, hearing the unprecedented commotion from the Temple, witnessed the legitimate coronation of the young Davidic king, Joash. She saw the true heir to the throne standing in the designated royal position by the pillar, accompanied by military commanders and trumpeters, surrounded by a jubilant populace sounding trumpets. This scene starkly revealed the complete overthrow of her usurping, Baal-worshipping reign and the divine restoration of the rightful Davidic lineage in Judah. The widespread public rejoicing signaled popular approval and marked the turning point from a period of tyranny to one of God-ordved kingship.

2 Kings 11 14 Context

2 Kings chapter 11 narrates a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, centered on the preservation of the Davidic covenant and the legitimate line of kingship. Following the death of King Ahaziah, his mother Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, seized the throne. In her ruthlessness, she attempted to exterminate all royal heirs, intending to erase the Davidic lineage. However, one infant, Joash, was miraculously saved by his aunt Jehosheba, who was married to Jehoiada the high priest. Joash was secretly hidden within the Temple of the Lord for six years. In the seventh year, Jehoiada, a faithful and strategic leader, orchestrated a meticulous coup. He secured oaths of loyalty from military commanders and positioned Levites and guards to protect the temple. The verse in question, 2 Kings 11:14, captures Athaliah's sudden and terrifying realization as she comes to investigate the jubilant noise emanating from the Temple complex, finding her tyrannical reign dramatically overthrown by the unexpected public coronation of the legitimate child-king. This event marked a radical return to Yahweh worship and a reaffirmation of the Davidic monarchy against the backdrop of Baal worship imported from Israel.

2 Kings 11 14 Word analysis

• When she looked, behold, (וַתֵּרֶא וְהִנֵּה – vat·tere' vehin·neh): "Behold" (הִנֵּה – hinneh) is an emphatic interjection, often used to draw attention to a sudden, surprising, or significant event. It captures Athaliah’s shock and the abruptness of her discovery.

• the king (הַמֶּלֶךְ – ham·melekh): The definite article points to the rightful, legitimate king. This is young Joash, signifying a powerful challenge to Athaliah's illegitimate rule. The designation emphasizes his divine election.

• was standing (עֹמֵד – ʿomed): The participle "standing" suggests an active, established presence. Joash is not merely present but takes a firm, legitimate stance in a place of authority.

• by the pillar (עַל־הָעַמּוּד – ʿal-haʿam·mūd): This refers to a specific, significant pillar within the Temple precinct, likely a recognized place for the king to stand during ceremonies or when making a covenant (compare 2 Ki 23:3). It signifies legitimacy and public acknowledgment of royal authority, grounding the enthronement in established custom and potentially spiritual significance.

• according to the custom (כַּמִּשְׁפָּט – kam·mišpāṭ): The Hebrew term mishpat implies established right, justice, or protocol. This phrase stresses that Joash’s coronation was not a random act but followed proper, sacred, and ancestral procedures, lending it legality and divine sanction, in stark contrast to Athaliah's illegal usurpation.

• and the commanders (וְהַשָּׂרִים – wəhas·śārim): These are not just general officers but royal or military officials, indicating organized, authoritative support for Joash's reign. Their presence lends official weight to the ceremony.

• and the trumpeters (וְהַחֲצֹצְרֹת – wəhaḥaṣṣōṣəroṯ): Trumpeters typically accompanied significant royal and sacred events (Num 10:2-10, 1 Ki 1:39-40). Their presence signifies a major, public royal proclamation and anointing.

• were by the king (אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ – ʾel-ham·melekh): This phrase emphasizes their close proximity and allegiance, clearly demonstrating who their loyalty now lies with.

• And all the people of the land (וְכָל־עַם־הָאָרֶץ – wəkāl-ʿam-hāʾāreṣ): This phrase refers to the broad populace of Judah, indicating widespread popular support for Joash, distinct from court factions. Their involvement underlines the national embrace of the restored Davidic line and the rejection of Athaliah.

• were rejoicing (שָׂמֵחַ – śāmēaḥ): This Hebrew term denotes profound joy and celebration. It marks a clear distinction between the tyrannical rule of Athaliah and the relief and jubilation at the restoration of legitimate, God-ordained kingship.

• and blowing trumpets (וְתֹקֵעַ בַּחֲצֹצְרוֹת – wəṯōqēaʿ baḥaṣṣōṣərōṯ): This sound signifies public acclamation, marking the momentous nature of the event—a royal accession and a new era. The loud, pervasive sound serves as both a joyous announcement to the faithful and an alarming signal of impending doom to Athaliah.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "the king was standing by the pillar, according to the custom": This grouping highlights the legitimacy and divinely ordered nature of Joash’s coronation. His position at the pillar, a place of significant royal or covenantal standing, underscored the validity of his enthronement. The phrase "according to the custom" directly challenged Athaliah's unlawful reign by presenting a coronation conducted with proper authority and tradition. It emphasized adherence to the Davidic covenant principles.
  • "and the commanders and the trumpeters were by the king": This emphasizes the collective, institutional support behind Joash. The "commanders" represent the military and civil establishment, signifying their shift in allegiance, while the "trumpeters" provide the formal ceremonial announcement, broadcasting the new reality. Their unity around the king demonstrated the decisive nature of the coup.
  • "And all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets": This illustrates the broad, popular, and widespread acceptance of Joash. "The people of the land" (ʿam ha'aretz) often refers to the landowners and leading citizens, distinct from the royal court. Their loud rejoicing and trumpet blasts symbolized not only the joyful celebration of Joash's rightful reign but also a decisive rejection of Athaliah's oppressive and idolatrous rule. It signifies a collective spiritual and political renewal.

2 Kings 11 14 Bonus section

The pillar mentioned (haʿammūd) may relate to the bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, or a specific stone pillar within the Temple where the king would stand (similar to Josiah in 2 Ki 23:3 for covenant renewal). Its location inside or near the Temple indicated a coronation with strong theological backing, overseen by Jehoiada the high priest. The enthronement occurring within the Temple signifies the theological grounding of Joash’s reign, distinct from previous royal investitures which sometimes happened in the palace. This acted as a polemic against the secularized or idolatrous rule, re-emphasizing the centrality of Yahweh's worship and covenant for the true king of Judah. The preservation of Joash in secret mirrors other instances of divine preservation of chosen individuals or a righteous remnant throughout biblical history, assuring the continuation of God’s plan towards the ultimate King, the Messiah.

2 Kings 11 14 Commentary

2 Kings 11:14 vividly portrays Athaliah’s abrupt confrontation with the reality of her overthrow. Her self-appointed tyranny, marked by the attempted annihilation of the Davidic line and promotion of Baal worship, was definitively ended by this sight. The young Joash standing by the symbolic pillar, a traditional location for the monarch's public appearance and covenant-making, emphasized his legitimacy and the restoration of God's order. The presence of the military commanders and the pervasive sound of trumpets and joyful acclamation from "all the people of the land" confirmed the successful re-establishment of Davidic kingship, rooted in divine providence. This scene is a testament to God's unfailing faithfulness to His covenant with David, preserving the promised lineage against all human odds. It highlights that true authority rests not with those who seize power, but with those God designates.