2 Kings 11 5

2 Kings 11:5 kjv

And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;

2 Kings 11:5 nkjv

Then he commanded them, saying, "This is what you shall do: one-third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall be keeping watch over the king's house,

2 Kings 11:5 niv

He commanded them, saying, "This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath?a third of you guarding the royal palace,

2 Kings 11:5 esv

And he commanded them, "This is the thing that you shall do: one third of you, those who come off duty on the Sabbath and guard the king's house

2 Kings 11:5 nlt

Jehoiada told them, "This is what you must do. A third of you who are on duty on the Sabbath are to guard the royal palace itself.

2 Kings 11 verses

2 Kings 11 5 Meaning

2 Kings 11:5 describes the initial command of Jehoiada the priest, setting in motion a carefully orchestrated coup to overthrow Athaliah and restore the rightful Davidic king, Joash, to the throne. This verse specifically details the instruction given to a third of the palace guards who were coming on duty on the Sabbath, tasking them with securing the king's residence as a vital first step in their plan. It emphasizes precision, timing, and the deployment of a specific segment of loyal personnel for this high-stakes operation.

2 Kings 11 5 Context

2 Kings chapter 11 opens with Athaliah, the wicked queen mother (daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and mother of King Ahaziah), seizing power in Judah. After her son King Ahaziah was killed by Jehu (2 Kgs 9:27), Athaliah brutally murdered all remaining male heirs of the royal house to secure her reign (2 Kgs 11:1). However, Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba, the wife of Jehoiada the high priest, secretly rescued one infant son, Joash, and hid him in the temple for six years (2 Kgs 11:2-3). During this period, Athaliah ruled unchallenged in Jerusalem. Verse 5 marks the beginning of Jehoiada’s strategic counter-move in the seventh year, as he initiates a clandestine operation with the help of loyal elements among the temple and palace guards to depose Athaliah and install the true heir, Joash, to the throne, fulfilling God's covenant with David. This verse specifically details the first crucial part of that coordinated plan.

2 Kings 11 5 Word analysis

• And he commanded them,: (וַיְצַו – vaytsav, from צוה, tsavah, meaning "to command," "appoint," or "ordain"). The strong Piel verb highlights the authoritative nature of Jehoiada’s instruction. "He" refers to Jehoiada the high priest, exercising both priestly and, implicitly, royal authority on behalf of the hidden rightful king. "Them" refers to the centurions (captains) who had previously made a covenant with him (2 Kgs 11:4).
• saying,: (לֵאמֹר – lê’mōr). A common Hebrew introductory particle, indicating that what follows is the direct speech or command.
• 'This is the thing that you shall do:: (זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּ – zeh haddāvār ’ăsher ta‘aśû). "The thing" (davar) implies a specific, critical plan or decree. It emphasizes the absolute necessity and clarity of the impending actions. This is not a suggestion but a directive.
• one third of you,: (הַשְּׁלִישִׁית מִכֶּם – hashshlîshît mikkem). Precision is key to Jehoiada's plan. It specifies a clear, distinct division of forces. This exact proportion highlights calculated strategy, not a general order.
• those who come on duty on the Sabbath: (הַבָּאִים בַּשַּׁבָּת – habbā’îm baššabbāt). This refers to the incoming shift of Levitical guards who served at the Temple and, by extension, had duties connected to the royal compound. The Sabbath was the day of the changing of the guard (1 Chr 9:22; 2 Chr 23:4). Jehoiada exploited this regular, observable transition to his advantage, as it would cause less suspicion. This also subtly affirms the continued observance of the Mosaic law even under Athaliah’s pagan influence.
• and guard the king's house—: (שֹׁמְרֵי מִשְׁמֶרֶת בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ – shōmĕrê mishmeret bêṯ hammelkekh). More literally, "keepers of the guard/watch of the king's house." This clarifies their specific task: securing the palace where Athaliah resided and where Joash was to be installed. The "king's house" here is the royal palace, distinct from the temple where Joash had been hidden. Their role was to control access and maintain security.

Words-group analysis:

• "And he commanded them... This is the thing that you shall do:": This sequence establishes Jehoiada's authority and the immediate, non-negotiable nature of the mission. It highlights meticulous pre-planning and disciplined execution, vital for such a dangerous undertaking against a reigning queen. This showcases leadership acting decisively for a divinely ordained purpose.
• "one third of you, those who come on duty on the Sabbath": This phrase details the selection criterion and timing. It signifies Jehoiada’s strategic genius, leveraging a known and regular logistical operation (the Sabbath guard change) to mobilize loyal forces covertly. It minimized detection by Athaliah and maximized the effective use of personnel who were legitimately on duty in the vicinity of the temple and palace. This detail also subtly underlines the divine order and observance of Mosaic law being woven into the restoration plan, as the Sabbath structure was part of the established divine order.
• "and guard the king's house": This states the direct objective of this specific group. The "king's house" refers to the royal palace itself, emphasizing control over the seat of earthly power currently occupied by the usurper Athaliah. The immediate goal was securing the existing royal infrastructure. This detail signals the beginning of the tactical maneuver to retake what rightfully belongs to the Davidic line.

2 Kings 11 5 Bonus section

The choice of the Sabbath for the coup was profoundly significant. The Sabbath was a holy day, a day of rest, but also a day for scheduled ceremonial duties and changes of guard among the Levites and priests in the temple compound. By mobilizing during this predictable period of increased temple traffic and rotational shifts, Jehoiada’s movements would appear normal, reducing suspicion. This not only provided logistical cover but also implicitly leveraged the sanctity of the Temple and the Sabbath to counter Athaliah's pagan and tyrannical rule. It symbolically emphasized that the true restoration was returning Israel to its covenant faithfulness and legitimate, God-appointed leadership. The Levitical guards, though serving in shifts, were deeply ingrained in the religious life of the nation, making them more likely to be loyal to Jehoiada and the Davidic line.

2 Kings 11 5 Commentary

2 Kings 11:5 reveals Jehoiada's meticulous and calculated planning for the coup against Athaliah. As the high priest, he wasn't merely a religious figure but a shrewd strategist who understood military logistics and timing. By specifically targeting "one third" of the incoming Sabbath guard detail, he was able to gather a significant force, many likely Levites or soldiers loyal to the covenant, without arousing undue suspicion from Athaliah’s regime. The Sabbath shift change was a predictable event, allowing these men to be positioned without overt alarm. This demonstrates divine timing coinciding with human wisdom. This detail shows that the plan was not impulsive but a well-thought-out operation, using existing structures and routines to restore the legitimate Davidic kingship. It highlights the strategic use of order and proper procedure even in the overthrow of ungodly power.