Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. XI.

Vers. 1. ANd when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her sonne was dead, she arose, and destroyed all the seed royall.] That is, all the prin∣ces of the bloud royall that were left. Joram had killed his six younger bre∣thren the sonnes of Jehoshaphat, immediately upon the death of his father, 2 Chron. 21.2, 4. after that all his own sonnes (save onely Ahaziah the youngest, who succeeded him in the throne) were either slain, or carried away by the Phili∣stines and Arabians, 2. Chron. 22.1. again, after that fourty two princes of the royall bloud Jehu had slain, chap. 10.13, 14. so that it may seem there were not many of the seed royall left. Athaliah therefore (that happily was left by her sonne Ahaziah to govern the kingdome, when he went to help Joram in his warre) taking this advantage of the ruines of this royall family, did forthwith lay hold upon those few of the princes of the bloud that were left, and slew them, that so she might oc∣cupy the royall throne her self, and so settle the worship of Baal in the kingdome of Judah, which to her grief she saw was now rooted out by Jehu in the kingdome of Israel. If these princes, whom she slew, had been onely the grandchildren of Jeho∣shaphat, by some of his other sonnes, and not by her husband Joram; or had they been her husbands children by some other wives, this fact had been the lesse to be wondered at: but by the saving of her own sonnes sonne out of her hands, to wit, Joash the sonne of Ahaziah, it is manifest, that she spared not her own children: and this indeed is most strange, that she should be so unnaturall, especially if we con∣sider also, that under the title of being protectour to her young grandchild Joash, she might with more ease and safety have done what she list in the kingdome, and so have made better use of his life then of his death: but for this it may be answered; first, that ambition and zeal for Idolatry do usually blind men and women, and make them most unnaturally cruell: Secondly, that there might be other reasons inducing her thereto (though they be not expressed in the Scripture) as for instance, perhaps she might have other sonnes and grandchildren; either by adultery, or by a former husband, or by some daughter of Jorams, upon whom she might rather de∣sire to settle the crown of Judah, perhaps those that brake up the house of God, and bestowed the dedicated things thereof upon Baalim, 2. Chron. 24.7. For the sonnes of Athaliah that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God, and also all the dedicate things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim. Thirdly, howsoever sure we are, that there is no wickednesse so unnaturall and un∣reasonable whereinto a wicked woman may not run raised up of God to be a plague to wicked and idolatrous people: and besides there was a speciall hand of God in it, that those that were descended from Ahab, (though onely by the mo∣thers

side might be destroyed, save onely Joash, who was left to succeed in the throne of Judah.

Vers. 2. But Jehosheba the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Jo∣ash the sonne of Ahaziah, &c.] This Jehosheba, or Jehoshabeath, 2. Chron. 22.11. the sister of Ahaziah, and daughter of Joram, was married to Jehoiada the high priest, as is noted in that place of the Chronicles before cited; and therefore it is not likely that she was the daughter of Joram by Athaliah, but by some other of his wives, because we cannot well think that he would have taken a wife of that cursed idolatrous stock. But however, sister she was to Ahaziah the late king of Judah, and therefore hearing of Athaliahs bloudy project, she stole this young infant her brothers youngest sonne out of the nursery, and hid him with his nurse in the bed-chamber, that is, in some bedchamber of the priests, which were adjoyning to the Temple, and so kept him close six years together: how it came to passe that this young▪ late-born infant was not missed, or being missed, was not hunted after, and by diligent search discovered, it is hard to say; most probable it is, that some de∣ceit or cunning was used, as by the substitution of some other child in his room, whether dead or living, or by corrupting those Athaliah had imployed in this bloudy service, or some such way, by which means Athaliah might verily think he was killed with the rest; or if she had same small ground to suspect any thing to the contrary, she might in policie forbear to make any noise of it, lest the people hear∣ing such a rumour, should be the readier to hearken after innovations, and be the lesse conformable to the present government. However, because Joash this young infant thus miraculously saved, is expressely here called the sonne of Ahaziah, and so elsewhere constantly, vers. 4.12. chap. 12.18. 2. Chron. 22.11. 1. Chron. 3.11. it is therefore no way probable, which some affirme, that he was of the poste∣ritie of Nathan, and succeeded in the throne, because all Solomons posterity was ex∣tinguished by Athaliah; especially if we consider that the reason intimated in these words why Jehosheba preserved him, was because of her near alliance to him, as be∣ing his aunt his fathers sister.

Vers. 4. And the seventh yeare Jehoiada sent and fet the rulers over hundreds, with the captains, and the guard, &c.] When Athaliah had usurped the crown of Judah six years, and somewhat more, without any disturbance either of domesticall adversaries, or forreigne enemy (for Jehu had enough to do at home to oppose the victorious armies of Hazael, wherewith he was so farre overcharged) at length Je∣hoiada began to think of settling him in the throne, to whom of right it did belong, who was now full seven years old, vers. 21. Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reigne; and had been hitherto hid in a cell of the Temple by his wife Je∣hosheba, not judging it fit to conceal him any longer, first, that his young soveraigne might not want that princely education which was requisite, and whereof his years began now to be capable: and secondly, that the idolatry of Baal might not by her means take too deep root before it were weeded up; having therefore first imparted this secret to five of the chief captains of the land, in whose fidelitie he had best assu∣rance, and made a covenant with them, afterward by their means he drew in others of the principall men of the countrey (both the Levites and others) onely at first procuring that they should repair to Jerusalem, where they should be further ac∣quainted

with the whole matter, 2. Chro. 23.1, 2. and so accordingly being met toge∣ther as is here expressed) in the temple, having taken an oath of secrecy and fide∣lity of them, he shewed them the kings sonne, made a covenant with them to ad∣vance him to the kingdome, and resolved how the businesse should be managed the next sabbath day in every particular, as is expressed in the sequel of the story. In∣deed some Expositours conceive, that those five mentioned, 2. Chron. 23.1. to whom Jehoiada did first impart the businesse, were priests and Levites, and so also all that were imployed in this service; and that because they managed this businesse in the temple, whither none (say they) but those of the tribe of Levi might enter; but yet considering that the court of the people was a part of the temple, and within the g••tes thereof, and withall because those five men are expressely termed captains of hundreds, and it is said, that they gathered to them not onely the Levites, but also the chief of the fathers of Israel, 2. Chron. 23.1, 2. I see not why they should hold that they were onely Levites that Jehoiada did now call in to his help.

Vers. 5. This is the thing that ye shall do; a third part of you that enter in on the sabbath, &c.] This he spake to the Levites, the Levites were by an order esta∣blished long since amongst them by David, divided into foure and twenty orders or companies, which did in their courses, each company a week discharge the service of the temple (the rest abiding the whilest in their own private dwellings, in the severall cities of Judah) and so every sabbath day, they that had served the week before went out, and another came in that served in their room: and in each company or course there was in Davids time a thousand Levites, besides the porters and singers. Now therefore because the associates of Jehoiada were not able to bring together secretly so many trusty and serviceable hands, as would suffice to mannage the businesse; to help this want, Jehoiada resolved to arm the Levites for the work, and to the end they might be the stronger, he took in the new company that were to come in on the sabbath, and did not discharge the old that should have then gone out, but retained them still, and so by that meanes without any noise he had made up such a number as would be able to deal with the queens ordinary guard; for in probability they might be about three thousand men; which accordingly under the command of their severall captains, (either the chief of the Levites, or those commanders of souldiers whom he had sworn his associates in this designe) he thus disposed of; those that were newly to enter in that sabbath unto the service of the temple, (for the work it seems was to be done on the sabbath day) he divided into three parts, one part whereof he assigned to watch at the gate of the outer court that led to the kings palace, which was the north gate, the same it seems which is called, vers. 19. the gate of the guard, where Athaliah now was, that no body might thence break in upon them: another part he assigned to be at the gate of Sur; which was the east gate that led into the city, called also the gate of the foundation, 2. Chron. 23.5: another part to ward at the south gate, called here the gate behind the guard; that is, the gate right opposite against that gate where the kings guard used to stand, which led to the kings house: Again, those that were to go out from the service of the temple that sabbath, he divided into two parts, and appointed them to be a guard in the temple unto the kings person, the one on his right hand, the other on his left: Many conjectures I find amongst Expositours very different from this which I have

noted both concerning the disposing of the Levites, and concerning the gates at which they were set; but herein it is hard indeed to determine the certainty, because the passages are so obscure.

Vers. 6, So shall ye keep the watch of the house that it be not broken down.] That is, that the watch be not disordered by the breaking in of any body; where∣by the temple may be profaned by the rushing in of those, that ought not to enter into it; the person of our young king may be endangered, and the businesse we have in hand may be utterly overthrown.

Vers. 8. And he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain.] By the ran∣ges are meant the rankes of the Levites thus ranged in their places, according to the order of military discipline; which if any should offer to break through by force, they were appointed to slay them.

Vers. 10. And to the captains over hundreds, did the priest-give king Davids speares, &c.] To wit, for themselves and for their men. These speares and shields might be such as David had taken in the warres, and had laid up in the tabernacle, as he did the sword of Goliath, as memorials of the great victories that God had given him, which were afterward by Solomon removed into the temple; but how∣ever I conceive, that there was an armoury in the temple provided purposely, that they might be in a readinesse for the guarding and defence of that holy place upon all occasions, and that because there were now found there weapons for so many thousands as were at present imployed; and happely because for this as for other things, David had given directions to his sonne Solomon, therefore they are called here, Davids speares and shields that were in the temple: had they been to b••ing in men ready armed into the temple, they could hardly have carried the businesse so closely as they did, but the Levites being the men appointed for this exploit, and they coming in unarmed, as at other times for the service of Gods house, and being there armed out of the Magazine that was in a readinesse in the temple, there was not the least noise or suspition of any thing that was intended, till it was put in ex∣ecution.

Vers. 12. And he brought forth the kings sonne, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimonie, &c.] That is, the book of the law; as was enjoyned, Deut. 17.18.

Ver. 13. And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard, and of the people she came to the people, into the temple of the Lord.] That is, when she heard the noise of the guard in the temple, shouting and clapping their hands when the king was crown'd, and the people running in the streets, and making towards the temple with many unusuall acclamations and expressions of joy (as it is expressed, 2. Chron. 23.12. Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king) she went to see what was done in the temple, not any whit suspecting that which was done, and so through the providence of God, did unwittingly cast her self into their hands: nor was it against the charge given by Jehoiada, vers. 8. he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: that she was suffered to come within the ranges, because she came not in an hostile manner, but quietly came in amongst them without any mi∣strust or fear, and it must needs be known to be of great advantage to get her with∣in their power.

Vers. 14. And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, &c.] Where it seems the throne for the king was erected; but the most of Ex∣positours understand this of the brazen scaffold which Solomon made in the Temple, 2. Chron. 6.13. the like is noted afterward of Josiah, chap. 23.3. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant, &c.

Vers. 16. And they laid hands on her, and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the kings house, &c.] Some understand this of the way into the citie, where was the horse gate, mentioned, Neh. 3.28. and Jer. 31.40. but the words do clearly enough shew that it was the ordinary horse and cart way that led into the court, where were the stables and other out-houses that belonged to the kings palace, and therefore it is said, vers. 20. that they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the kings house: even in the place of her death they sought to cast re∣proch upon her; her mother Jezebel was troden under the horse heels, and now she was dragged by the horse way, and slain amongst the stables and dunghills of the kings house.

Vers. 18. And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down, his altars, &c.] And the more chearfully no doubt they did this, because they would not be behind the Israelites, where Jehu had already suppressed the ido∣latry of Baal, as they did now in the kingdome of Judah.

And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord.] That is, Jehoiada appointed officers for the watch of the Lords house; the rather, for fear of danger in this sudden change, and withall, perhaps reduced into order, whatever besides had been disordered in the dayes of Athaliah, 2. Chron. 24.7. For the sonnes of Atha∣liah that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God, &c.

Vers. 19. They brought down the king from the house of the Lord, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the kings house.] That is, the gate of the kings house, where the guard usually stood.