John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard , etc.] This was the husband of Jehosheba, who was high priest, ( 2 Chronicles 22:11) these rulers over hundreds were not those appointed over the people for civil affairs, as by the advice of Jethro, but over the priests and Levites in their courses; five of whom are mentioned by name, and were employed in gathering together the Levites, and the chief of the fathers, throughout all the cities of Judah, ( 2 Chronicles 23:1,2), and the “captains” here are the heads of the fathers there, who were the heads of the courses they were sent to gather; and the “guard”, those of the late king, whom Athaliah had turned out of their post, and took in others in their room, unless rather the temple guard is meant: and brought them to him into the house of the Lord ; the temple, that part of it where was the court of the priests and Levites: and made a covenant with them ; to join with him, assist him, and stand by him in the restoration of the king, and the reformation of the kingdom: and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord ; to keep secrecy, and be faithful to him: and showed them the king’s son ; for the truth of which he could produce his wife, the sister of the late king, and also the nurse of this child with him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, on of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound u in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the Son of David the Lord, according to his promise, will secure a spiritual seed hidden sometimes, and unseen, but hidden in God's pavilion, and unhurt Six years Athaliah tyrannized. Then the king was brought forward. child indeed, but he had a good guardian, and, what was better, a goo God to go to With such joy and satisfaction must the kingdom of Chris be welcomed into our hearts, when his throne is set up there, and Sata the usurper is cast out. Say, Let the King, even Jesus, live, for eve live and reign in my soul, and in all the world.
Original Hebrew ובשׁנה8141 השׁביעית7637 שׁלח7971 יהוידע3077 ויקח3947 את853 שׂרי8269 המאיות3967 לכרי3746 ולרצים7323 ויבא935 אתם853 אליו413 בית1004 יהוה3068 ויכרת3772 להם1992 ברית1285 וישׁבע7650 אתם854 בבית1004 יהוה3068 וירא7200 אתם853 את853 בן1121 המלך׃4428
