Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 11:17–end
Jehoiada had now got over the harlot part of his work, when, by the death of Athaliah, the young prince had his way to the throne cleared of all opposition. He had now to improve his advantages for the perfecting of the revolution and the settling of the government. Two things we have an account of here: -
I. The good foundations he laid, by an original contract, Kg2 11:17. Now that prince and people were together in God's house, as it should seem before they stirred, Jehoiada took care that they should jointly covenant with God, and mutually covenant with each other, that they might rightly understand their duty both to God and to one another, and be firmly bound to it. 1. He endeavoured t…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 11:17
JEHOIADA RESTORES GOD'S WORSHIP. (Kg2 11:17-20)
a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people--The covenant with the Lord was a renewal of the national covenant with Israel (Exo. 19:1-24:18; "to be unto him a people of inheritance," Deu 4:6; Deu 27:9). The covenant between the king and the people was the consequence of this, and by it the king bound himself to rule according to the divine law, while the people engaged to submit, to give him allegiance as the Lord's anointed. The immediate fruit of this renewal of the covenant was the destruction of the temple and the slaughter of the priests of Baal (see Kg2 10:27); the restoration of the pure worship of God in all its ancient int…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on 2 Kings 11:20
The people - rejoiced - They were glad to get rid of the tyranny of Athaliah.
And the city was in quiet - She had no partisans to rise up and disturb the king's reign.
John Gill on 2 Kings 11:20
And all the people of the land rejoiced,.... That one of the house of David was set upon the throne, which they might fear was extinct, as it very near was; the lamp of David was almost quenched, only this single life left, from whom a line of kings proceeded, and the King Messiah; the promise of God cannot fail see Psalm 132:11, this occasioned great joy:
and the city was quiet: was very easy at, yea, pleased with, the dethroning and death of Athaliah; there was no tumult on account thereof, nor such disturbances as she occasioned in her life:
and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house; as related in 2 Kings 11:16 where she was buried, or what became of her carcass, is…
