Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 11:7
And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
7. And two parts of all you that go forth ] R.V. And the two companies of you, even all that go forth. All those men who were going off duty at the palace were to divide themselves into two bodies, and go and serve at the temple to protect the king. The ‘of you’ refers to the purely military body, as in verse 5. We see in verse 2 that their duty was outside the temple building, while the narrative in Chronicles in almost identical language appoints the Levites for duty within the temple.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
You that go forth on the sabbath, i.e. who having finished their course and week, should have gone home, but were detained, 2Ch 23:8.
They shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king; whilst the rest guard the doors and entrances into the temple, these shall have a special care of the kings person, part on his right, and part on his left hand.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath,…. The course that went out of service at the end of the sabbath; these were not suffered, not any of them, to go into the country, but were detained for the present purpose, and divided into two parts:
even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king, these were placed in the temple where the king was, or where he should be brought forth, and be a guard on his right and left; this interpretation seems to be agreeably to the order of the text here, and is the sense of Jarchi; but there is this objection to it, that, by such a distribution of both courses, no provision is made for the services of the temple; wherefore Dr. Lightfoot c divides them into six parts, each into three, one third of the course that came in for service, the other to keep the watch at the king’s house, and the other third at the gate Sur; and the course that went out, one third of them was placed at the gate behind the guard, and the other two to keep the watch of the house for the king’s safety; but according to the account in 2Ch 23:4, there were but three ranks or orders of them in all; wherefore the sense of Kimchi, Ben Gersom, and Abarbinel, seems most agreeable, that the first consisted of those that went in on the sabbath, not of all, but half of them, the other half being employed in the service of the sanctuary; and the other two of the course that went out, even all of them, they being entirely at leisure, who were divided into two parts, and disposed of as above.
c Prospect of the Temple, c. 20.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(7, 8) The whole body of guards relieved on the Sabbath are to guard the Temple and the young prince.
(7) And two parts of all you . . . sabbath.Rather, and the two branches among you, all that go out on the Sabbath. The two branches means the two fundamental divisionsviz., Carians (or executioners) and Couriers. The troops relieved on the Sabbath were not to be posted in three companies at three different points, like those who came on duty in their place; but they were to form in two ranksCarians on one side and Couriers on the otherfor the purpose of guarding the Temple, and especially the kings person.
About.Literally, in the direction ofi.e., with regard to, over. The house of the Lord is obviously contrasted with the kings house (2Ki. 11:5).
(8) Ye shall compass the king round about.They were to form two lines, between which the king might walk safely from the Temple to the palace.
The ranges.Rather, the ranksscil., the two lines of the guard formed for the protection of the king. If any one attempted to force his way through the ranks in order to attack the king he was to be slain.
Be ye with the king . . . cometh in.When he leaves the Temple, and when he enters the palace.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath Those who went forth on the Sabbath were the course of Levites who were relieved on that day from their term of temple service by the coming in of another course. Instead of departing from the temple and returning home, as usual they were to form themselves into two parts or divisions, (literally, hands,) and to be the immediate bodyguard of the youthful king. Their particular duty is more fully given in 2Ki 11:8, and they are identical with the guard mentioned in 2Ki 11:11.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ki 11:7 And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
Ver. 7. Shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord. ] To keep the place from pollution, and the young king from danger.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
parts: or, companies, Heb. hands
go forth: 2Ki 11:5, 2Ch 23:6
Reciprocal: 1Ch 9:25 – seven
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ki 11:7-8. Two parts that go forth on the sabbath Who, having finished their course, should have gone home, but were detained, 2Ch 23:8. Shall keep While the rest guard the entrances into the temple, these shall have a special care of the kings person. Ye shall compass the king, &c. When you have set your watches and guards, all the rest of you shall draw near to the king, to preserve his royal person from all assaults and dangers. He that cometh within the ranges Or fences, the walls wherewith the courts of the temple were environed; or your ranks. If any of Athaliahs guard shall attempt to break in upon you, or come within your bounds. As he goeth out, and as he cometh in Whether the king shall go out of the temple to assault and subdue his enemies, or retire hither to defend himself, do you always accompany him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
11:7 And two parts of all you that {h} go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
(h) Whose charge is ended.