II Kings 11
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Commentaries
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Athaliah - This woman was the daughter of Ahab, and grand-daughter of Omri, and wife of Joram king of Judah, and mother of Ahaziah. Destroyed all the seed royal - All that she could lay her hands on whom Jehu had left; in order that she might get undisturbed possession of the kingdom. How dreadful is the lust of reigning! it destroys all the charities of life; and turns fathers, mothers, brothers, and children, into the most ferocious savages! Who, that has it in his power, makes any conscience "To swim to sovereign rule through seas of blood?" In what a dreadful state is that land that is exposed to political revolutions, and where the succession to the throne is not most positively settled by the clearest and most decisive law! Reader, beware of revolutions; there have been some useful ones, but they are in general the heaviest curse of God.
Open source ↗JEHOASH SAVED FROM ATHALIAH'S MASSACRE. (Kg2 11:1-3) Athaliah--(See on Ch2 22:2). She had possessed great influence over her son, who, by her counsels, had ruled in the spirit of the house of Ahab. destroyed all the seed royal--all connected with the royal family who might have urged a claim to the throne, and who had escaped the murderous hands of Jehu (Ch2 21:2-4; Ch2 22:1; Kg2 10:13-14). This massacre she was incited to perpetrate--partly from a determination not to let David's family outlive hers; partly as a measure of self-defense to secure herself against the violence of Jehu, who was bent on destroying the whole of Ahab's posterity to which she belonged (Kg2 8:18-26); but chiefly from personal ambition to rule, and a desire to establish the worship of Baal. Such was the sad fruit of the unequal alliance between the son of the pious Jehoshaphat and a daughter of the idolatrous and wicked house of Ahab.
Open source ↗And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead,.... Who was the daughter of Ahab, and granddaughter of Omri Kg2 8:18, she arose: and destroyed all the seed royal; that were left, for many had been slain already; the sons of Jehoshaphat, the brothers of Joram, were slain by him, Ch2 21:4 and all Joram's sons, excepting Ahaziah, were slain by the Arabians, Ch2 22:1, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah were slain by Jehu, Kg2 11:8, these therefore seem to be the children of Ahaziah, the grandchildren of this brutish woman, whom she massacred out of her ambition of rule and government, which perhaps she was intrusted with while her son went to visit Joram king of Israel; other reasons are by some assigned, but this seems to be the chief. For the same reason Laodice, who had six sons by Ariarathes king of the Cappadocians, poisoned five of them; the youngest escaping her hands, was murdered by the people (x), as this woman also was. (x) Justin. e Trogo, l. 37. c. 1.
Open source ↗The Government of Athaliah (cf. Ch2 22:10-12). After the death of Ahaziah of Judah, his mother Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (see at Kg2 8:18 and Kg2 8:26), seized upon the government, by putting to death all the king's descendants with the exception of Joash, a son of Ahaziah of only a year old, who had been secretly carried off from the midst of the royal children, who were put to death, by Jehosheba, his father's sister, the wife of the high priest Jehoiada, and was first of all hidden with his nurse in the bed-chamber, and afterwards kept concealed from Athaliah for six years in the high priest's house. The ו before ראתה is no doubt original, the subject, Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah, being placed at the head absolutely, and a circumstantial clause introduced with וראתה: "Athaliah, when she saw that, etc., rose up." המּמלכה כּל־זרע, all the royal seed, i.e., all the sons and relations of Ahaziah, who could put in any claim to succeed to the throne. At the same time there were hardly any other direct descendants of the royal family in existence beside the sons of Ahaziah, since the elder brothers of Ahaziah had been carried away by the Arabs and put to death, and the rest of the closer blood-relations of the male sex had been slain by Jehu (see at Kg2 10:13). - Jehosheba (יהושׁבע, in the Chronicles יהושׁבעת), the wife of the high priest Jehoiada (Ch2 22:11), was a daughter of king Joram and a sister of Ahaziah, but she was most likely not a daughter of Athaliah, as this worshipper of Baal would hardly have allowed her own daughter to marry the high priest, but had been born to Joram by a wife of the second rank. ממותים (Chethb), generally a substantive, mortes (Jer 16:4; Eze 28:8), here an adjective: slain or set apart for death. The Keri מוּמתים is the…
Open source ↗God had assured David of the continuance of his family, which is called his ordaining a lamp for his anointed; and this cannot but appear a great thing, now that we have read of the utter extirpation of so many royal families, one after another. Now here we have David's promised lamp almost extinguished and yet wonderfully preserved. I. It was almost extinguished by the barbarous malice of Athaliah, the queen-mother, who, when she heard that her son Ahaziah was slain by Jehu, arose and destroyed all the seed-royal (Kg2 11:1), all that she knew to be akin to the crown. Her husband Jehoram had slain all his brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Ch2 21:4. The Arabians had slain all Jehoram's sons except Ahaziah, Ch2 22:1. Jehu had slain all their sons (Ch2 22:8) and Ahaziah himself. Surely never was royal blood so profusely shed. Happy the men of inferior birth, who live below envy and emulation! But, as if all this were but a small matter, Athaliah destroyed all that were left of the seed-royal. It was strange that one of the tender sex could be so barbarous, that one who had been herself a king's daughter, a king's wife, and a king's mother, could be so barbarous to a royal family, and a family into which she was herself ingrafted; but she did it, 1. From a spirit of ambition. She thirsted after rule, and thought she could not get to it any other way. That none might reign with her, she slew even the infants and sucklings that might have reigned after her. For fear of a competitor, not any must be reserved for a successor. 2. From a spirit of revenge and rage against God. The house of Ahab being utterly destroyed, and her son Ahaziah among the rest, because he was akin to it, she resolved, as it were, by way of reprisal, to destroy the house of David, and cut off his line, i…
Open source ↗11:1-16 Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and the wife of King Jehoram of Judah (8:18, 26). As queen mother, she wielded powerful influence. Unfortunately, it was for evil (8:18, 27; 2 Chr 22:3-4) and included her plans to destroy the rest of the royal family (see 2 Chr 22:10). The demise of Ahab’s family in Samaria was complete, but Athaliah seized power in Judah in a slaughter that mirrored Jehu’s slaughter of her family in Samaria.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עֲתַלְיָה (ʻĂthalyâh, H6271) — Athaljah, the name of an Israelitess and two Israelites אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אֲחַזְיָה (ʼĂchazyâh, H274) — Achazjah, the name of a Jewish and an Israelite king רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
Open source ↗יְהוֹשֶׁבַע (Yᵉhôwshebaʻ, H3089) — Jehosheba, an Israelitess בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יוֹרָם (Yôwrâm, H3141) — Joram, the name of three Israelites and one Syrian אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) אֲחַזְיָה (ʼĂchazyâh, H274) — Achazjah, the name of a Jewish and an Israelite king לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) יוֹאָשׁ (Yôwʼâsh, H3101) — Joash, the name of six Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גָּנַב (gânab, H1589) — to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively יָנַק (yânaq, H3243) — to suck; causatively, to give milk
Open source ↗חָבָא (châbâʼ, H2244) — to secrete בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) עֲתַלְיָה (ʻĂthalyâh, H6271) — Athaljah, the name of an Israelitess and two Israelites מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) יְהוֹיָדָע (Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ, H3077) — Jehojada, the name of three Israelites שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction כָּרִי (kârîy, H3746) — a life-guardsman רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Open source ↗צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate סוּר (Çûwr, H5495) — Sur, a gate of the temple אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מַסָּח (maççâch, H4535) — a cordon, (adverbially) or (as a) military barrier
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֵל (ʼêl, H413) — near, with or among; often in general, to מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗נָקַף (nâqaph, H5362) — to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׂדֵרָה (sᵉdêrâh, H7713) — a row, i.e. rank (of soldiers), story (of rooms) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and…
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְהוֹיָדָע (Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ, H3077) — Jehojada, the name of three Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and…
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent) שֶׁלֶט (sheleṭ, H7982) — probably a shield (as controlling, i.e. protecting the person) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְמָנִי (yᵉmânîy, H3233) — right (i.e. at the right hand) כָּתֵף (kâthêph, H3802) — the shoulder (proper, i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שְׂמָאלִי (sᵉmâʼlîy, H8042) — situated on the left side מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נֶזֶר (nezer, H5145) — properly, something set apart, i.e. (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or Nazirite);… עֵדוּת (ʻêdûwth, H5715) — testimony מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
Open source ↗עֲתַלְיָה (ʻĂthalyâh, H6271) — Athaljah, the name of an Israelitess and two Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) חֲצֹצְרָה (chătsôtsᵉrâh, H2689) — a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׂמֵחַ (sâmêach, H8056) — blithe or gleeful תָּקַע (tâqaʻ, H8628) — to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive… עֲתַלְיָה (ʻĂthalyâh, H6271) — Athaljah, the name of an Israelitess and two Israelites קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage
Open source ↗Cross-references
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In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family and one of the king’s chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and they ate a meal together there.
In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family, came with ten men and struck down and killed Gedaliah, along with the Judeans and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.
For the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the house of God and had even used the sacred objects of the house of the LORD for the Baals.
When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!” So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there.
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”