2 Kings 11 9

2 Kings 11:9 kjv

And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

2 Kings 11:9 nkjv

So the captains of the hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each of them took his men who were to be on duty on the Sabbath, with those who were going off duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

2 Kings 11:9 niv

The commanders of units of a hundred did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men?those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty?and came to Jehoiada the priest.

2 Kings 11:9 esv

The captains did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

2 Kings 11:9 nlt

So the commanders did everything as Jehoiada the priest ordered. The commanders took charge of the men reporting for duty that Sabbath, as well as those who were going off duty. They brought them all to Jehoiada the priest,

2 Kings 11 verses

2 Kings 11 9 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate and precise execution of High Priest Jehoiada's plan by the military commanders. It details their meticulous gathering of all available royal guard units—both those beginning their Sabbath shift and those concluding theirs—to maximize manpower and security within the Temple complex for the pivotal moment of restoring the legitimate Davidic king. This strategic maneuver ensured surprise and effectiveness for the covert operation.

2 Kings 11 9 Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the execution of High Priest Jehoiada’s meticulously planned coup to restore the legitimate Davidic monarchy to Judah. Having lived under the usurpation of the idolatrous Queen Athaliah, Jehoiada's long-term hidden protectee, the rightful heir Joash, is about to be revealed. Verse 9 signifies the critical step of the plan's commencement, where the designated military commanders gather their forces with precise synchronization.The larger chapter, 2 Kings 11, vividly narrates Athaliah’s bloody ascension to power following her son Ahaziah’s death, eliminating all male heirs of the Davidic line except for baby Joash, who was secretly rescued and hidden in the Temple for six years by Jehoiada and Jehosheba. This context highlights Judah's profound crisis, the fragility of the Davidic covenant in the face of human wickedness, and the crucial role of a faithful high priest in preserving divine promises. Historically, Athaliah's reign (c. 841-835 BC) represented a period of overt Baal worship in Judah, threatening to obliterate both the Davidic lineage and the covenant faith. The "captains of the hundreds" were commanders of the royal guard, likely comprising foreign mercenaries like the Carian Guard and the Runners, whose loyalty was essential. Jehoiada’s ability to secure their allegiance demonstrates his immense moral authority and their recognition of the true legitimacy in the Davidic line against Athaliah's corrupt rule. The choice of the Sabbath, a day of customary rest, provided both cover for the unusual concentration of troops and an ironic juxtaposition to Athaliah's ungodly reign, as her disregard for sacred days would make her less vigilant.

2 Kings 11 9 Word analysis

• So the captains of the hundreds (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ שָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת, wayya‘ăśû śārê hammē’ôṯ)
  • So (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ - wa-yya‘ăśû): A conjunction implying immediate and direct action in response to prior commands. It underscores the prompt and obedient execution of the detailed plan.
  • captains (שָׂרֵי - śārê): Denotes commanders or chiefs, referring to leaders of specific military units.
  • of the hundreds (הַמֵּאוֹת - hammē’ôṯ): Literally "the hundreds," designating units of approximately 100 men. These forces were part of the royal guard, identified earlier as the Karites and the Runners (2 Kgs 11:4). Their decision to obey Jehoiada, the priest, over the reigning Queen Athaliah is significant, indicating a pivotal shift in loyalty towards the legitimate Davidic line and the covenant represented by the High Priest.
• did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded (כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה יְהוֹיָדָע הַכֹּהֵן - kəkol ’ăšer-ṣiwwāh yəhôyādā‘ hakkōhēn)
  • did according to all things (כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר - kəkol ’ăšer): Emphasizes a complete, meticulous, and unreserved adherence to Jehoiada's detailed instructions. Such precision was paramount for the success of this high-stakes, covert operation.
  • that Jehoiada the priest (יְהוֹיָדָע הַכֹּהֵן - yəhôyādā‘ hakkōhēn): Highlights the central and authoritative role of the High Priest. Jehoiada's moral standing, spiritual authority as custodian of the Temple and covenant, and long-term faithfulness (harboring Joash) garnered immense trust and enabled him to orchestrate such a daring plan against a powerful queen.
• and they took every man his men (וַיִּקְחוּ אִישׁ אֲנָשָׁיו - wayyiqḥû ’îš ’ănāšāw)
  • took (וַיִּקְחוּ - wayyiqḥû): Suggests a deliberate gathering and retention of troops, implying careful organization rather than a casual muster.
  • every man his men (אִישׁ אֲנָשָׁיו - ’îš ’ănāšāw): Indicates that each captain collected and held his specific unit, maintaining a clear chain of command and disciplined control essential for synchronized actions in a military operation.
• that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath (הַבָּאִים בַּשַּׁבָּת וְהַיּוֹצְאִים בַּשַּׁבָּת - habbā’îm baššabbāt wəhayyôṣə’îm baššabbāt)
  • that were to come in (הַבָּאִים - habbā’îm): Refers to the incoming shift of temple guards for duty.
  • with them that should go out (וְהַיּוֹצְאִים - wəhayyôṣə’îm): Refers to the outgoing shift of temple guards. This detail reveals the strategic brilliance of Jehoiada’s plan. By detaining and combining both the incoming and outgoing shifts, he effectively doubled his active forces within the Temple grounds without raising any unusual alarm, as a changing of the guard on the Sabbath would be a routine occurrence.
  • on the sabbath (בַּשַּׁבָּת - baššabbāt): The Sabbath, Israel's day of rest and holiness. Its strategic utilization is multifaceted: it added an element of surprise (a large military assembly was unexpected on this day), capitalized on routine, and subtly positioned the religiously sanctioned action of the High Priest against the profane rule of Athaliah, appealing to any religious scruples within the guard units.
• and came to Jehoiada the priest (וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל־יְהוֹיָדָע הַכֹּהֵן - wayyāḇō’û ’el-yəhôyādā‘ hakkōhēn)
  • came to (וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל - wayyāḇō’û ’el): Indicates a convergence, signifying that all the assembled forces rallied at a central point—the Temple, where Jehoiada was situated and Joash was hidden.
  • Jehoiada the priest (יְהוֹיָדָע הַכֹּהֵן - yəhôyādā‘ hakkōhēn): Reaffirms his ultimate position as the architect and leader of this crucial enterprise. All elements of the plan reported to and centralized around him.

2 Kings 11 9 Bonus section

• Legitimacy of the Coup: From a biblical perspective, Jehoiada's actions were not merely a political coup but a divinely sanctioned restoration. Athaliah was an illegitimate usurper who sought to extinguish the promised Davidic line and introduce Baal worship into Judah. Jehoiada's actions protected both the king and the covenant, fulfilling the Lord's oath.
• Temple as Strategic Base: The use of the Temple as the hidden base for Joash and the rallying point for the forces highlights its dual nature as both a sacred space and a strategic stronghold in times of national crisis, where loyalty to God's covenant could be mobilized.
• Echoes of Mosaic Military Organization: The phrase "captains of the hundreds" has roots in Israel's military organization structure, traceable back to the time of Moses (e.g., Exod 18:21, Deut 1:15), indicating a familiar, ordered chain of command, now marshaled for a holy cause.

2 Kings 11 9 Commentary

2 Kings 11:9 succinctly captures the diligent execution of a pivotal and precarious plan to safeguard God's covenant with David. The verse showcases the "captains of the hundreds" exhibiting disciplined obedience to High Priest Jehoiada’s exacting commands, an obedience rooted in respect for his authority and, ultimately, God's divine purpose. Jehoiada's ingenious strategy of consolidating both incoming and outgoing Sabbath guard shifts was a masterstroke of tactical planning, enabling a massive surge of manpower without arousing immediate suspicion. This moment highlights the blend of spiritual fidelity, political astuteness, and military precision necessary to overturn a tyrannical regime and reinstate the rightful heir. It signifies God's work through human agents, preserving His promises amidst crisis and restoring righteous rule. This action ensures the continued line through which the Messiah would eventually come.