2 Kings 11 6

2 Kings 11:6 kjv

And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.

2 Kings 11:6 nkjv

one-third shall be at the gate of Sur, and one-third at the gate behind the escorts. You shall keep the watch of the house, lest it be broken down.

2 Kings 11:6 niv

a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple?

2 Kings 11:6 esv

(another third being at the gate Sur and a third at the gate behind the guards) shall guard the palace.

2 Kings 11:6 nlt

Another third of you are to stand guard at the Sur Gate. And the final third must stand guard behind the palace guard. These three groups will all guard the palace.

2 Kings 11 verses

2 Kings 11 6 Meaning

2 Kings 11:6 describes the meticulously planned deployment of three divisions of guards, ensuring the complete security of the Temple for the secret coronation of Joash. This verse highlights Jehoiada the priest's strategic wisdom in orchestrating a decisive coup against the usurper Athaliah by assigning specific temple gates to different groups of Levites and royal guards, creating an impenetrable ring of defense around the young king. This act was crucial for the preservation of the Davidic covenant line and the restoration of righteous rule in Judah.

2 Kings 11 6 Context

2 Kings chapter 11 opens with the evil reign of Athaliah, queen mother and daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, who seized power after the death of her son Ahaziah. In her attempt to exterminate all heirs to the Davidic throne, she inadvertently missed Joash, a baby rescued by Jehoiada the priest and his wife Jehosheba, who was Joash's aunt. For six years, Joash remained hidden in the Temple. Verse 6 falls within Jehoiada's meticulously planned seven-day coup d'état to overthrow Athaliah and crown the rightful king, Joash. Jehoiada orchestrates the various shifts of temple guards (priests and Levites) and royal guards, leveraging their sacred duties and loyalty to the true heir. The preceding verses (2 Kgs 11:4-5) describe the mustering and initial instructions to the "commanders of hundreds" regarding the specific duties for the Sabbath when the changing of the guard would provide cover for the operation. Verse 6 specifies the critical deployment strategy of these "third parts" to secure all strategic entry and exit points of the Temple. This ensures Athaliah's forces cannot enter, and Joash can be safely presented and anointed within the Temple grounds, ultimately restoring the rightful Davidic king and the true worship of the Lord in Judah.

2 Kings 11 6 Word analysis

• And a third part (וּשְׁלִשִׁית, ūsh'lishiyt): This precise numerical division emphasizes meticulous military or security planning. It refers to one of the three contingents of the guard forces (likely composed of the retiring Sabbath guards who were retained, combined with those coming on duty and loyal temple servants) arranged by Jehoiada. The term highlights a highly organized and disciplined execution of a critical maneuver.
• shall be at the gate of Sur (בְּשַׁעַר סוּר, b'sha'ar sur):
  • Gate (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): Refers to a crucial entrance, often fortified, signifying access control and security. Gates were vital for city and temple defense.
  • Sur (סוּר, sur): The exact identity of this gate is debated among scholars, with the parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 23:5 referring to it as the "Gate of the Foundation" (שַׁעַר הַיְסוֹד, sha'ar hay'sod). "Sur" can mean "to turn aside" or "depart," perhaps symbolizing turning away from evil or diverting enemies. Alternatively, it might be an abbreviation or corruption of Yesod (foundation), or perhaps Sur referred to a specific location related to an adjacent wall or pathway that had a specific function or history, crucial for security during this critical time. Its placement shows Jehoiada's specific knowledge of the temple's vulnerabilities.
• and a third part at the gate behind the guards (וּשְׁלִשִׁית בְּשַׁעַר אַחַר הָרָצִים, ūsh'lishiyt b'sha'ar achach ha'ra'tsim):
  • Guards (הָרָצִים, ha'ra'tsim): Literally "the runners." This term typically refers to the swift-moving royal bodyguard, also known as Carites (compare 2 Sam 8:18; 1 Kgs 1:38), known for their loyalty and combat readiness. Positioning a division "behind" their usual station indicates a secondary line of defense or a strategic rear approach to prevent infiltration from inside the palace compound towards the temple.
• and a third part at the gate behind the armour (וּשְׁלִשִׁית בְּשַׁעַר אַחַר הַמַּסָּח, ūsh'lishiyt b'sha'ar achach ha'massach):
  • Armour (הַמַּסָּח, ha'massach): Refers to weaponry or an armory, a place where weapons were stored. This gate, possibly the "Gate of the Horsemen" as in the 2 Chronicles parallel (שַׁעַר הַסּוּסִים, sha'ar ha'sūsim), signifies access to military equipment or an area where armed personnel (horsemen or foot soldiers) would gather. Securing this gate prevented Athaliah's loyalists from arming themselves or making a quick entrance with armed force, demonstrating Jehoiada's forethought in isolating access to potential threats and securing immediate armed response capabilities for the new king.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And a third part shall be..." (repeated three times): This repetition underscores the calculated and orderly nature of Jehoiada's plan. It’s a military strategy, distributing forces methodically to cover all critical access points to the Temple area. This systematic approach speaks to the precision and wisdom employed in an event fraught with danger, illustrating careful logistical and tactical genius.
• "at the gate of Sur... at the gate behind the guards... at the gate behind the armour": These specific locations delineate the comprehensive defensive perimeter around the Temple. The "Gate of Sur" secured a primary entrance, likely external. "The gate behind the guards" implies controlling access near the usual royal guard posts, possibly preventing a flank attack from within the palace complex. "The gate behind the armour" signifies sealing off an armory or military staging area, neutralizing potential armed resistance. The meticulous identification of these three strategic points highlights a complete lockdown of the sanctuary during the crowning of Joash. This deployment secured not only Joash's physical safety but also the sanctity of the Temple during this crucial, God-ordained moment.

2 Kings 11 6 Bonus section

The subtle differences in terminology between 2 Kings 11:6 and its parallel in 2 Chronicles 23:5 (e.g., "gate of Sur" vs. "gate of the Foundation"; "gate behind the armour" vs. "gate of the Horsemen") do not signify conflicting accounts but rather provide complementary details or different perspectives on the same historical event. The variation could stem from different traditional names for the same locations or different emphasis from the original compilers—2 Kings perhaps focusing on immediate defense tactics, and 2 Chronicles, written for a post-exilic audience, perhaps emphasizing the sacredness of the Temple foundations or the power of its guards (horsemen). Regardless, both accounts confirm the same core strategic necessity: multiple points of ingress and egress to the Temple were secured to safeguard Joash and the integrity of the sanctuary during the coup. The repeated use of "a third part" across both narratives emphasizes a perfectly balanced and efficient military division of forces, crucial for the success of Jehoiada's God-inspired plan.

2 Kings 11 6 Commentary

2 Kings 11:6 serves as a key detail in understanding the masterful execution of Jehoiada's plan to restore the legitimate Davidic lineage and faithful worship in Judah. This verse reveals the tactical brilliance of Jehoiada, who leveraged his knowledge of the Temple's architecture and the routines of the Levites and royal guards. By precisely dividing and positioning the security forces at crucial gates, he established an impenetrable cordon around the young king Joash and the anointing ceremony. This prevented any counter-attack from Athaliah's loyalists and showcased a commitment to order and vigilance in the face of chaos. It ultimately highlights divine Providence working through human wisdom to uphold God's covenant with David, ensuring the lineage that would eventually lead to the Messiah.