The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 199

Yem. 4-21.-The cor011ation of Joash. For six years Athaliah was dominant in Israel. Jehoiada meanwhile kept his s~cret well. Least of all did the u~nrping queen suspect that It legitimate heir to the throne was in hiding in the temple almost at her own palace door. Her reign must have grown well-nigh unendmable to the people1 when they were so willing as the event proved to throw it off. At the six years' end Jeboiada prepared for his coup d'etat. I. JEROIADA's PBEPARATI01'S. 1. Joash produced. The good priest found it neces- sary to proceed with caution. His measures were taken with skill and secrecy. He first took into his confidence the five centurions of the life-guards, made them swear nu oath of fidelity, then produced the king, and showed him to them. The soldiers entered into Lis plan a.t once. The risks were enormous, but God'8 shield was a.round this one ren:aining "lamp" of David's house, and did not allow its tremulous light to be extinguished. The boy-king was the feeble ark that bore the fortunes of David's house and of Me~sianic promise. Had he perished, God's Word would have fallen to the ground. The Chronicler tells how the captains of hundreds went forth nnd secretly spread among the Levites and chief of the fathers of Israel the tidin1:s that there was ~till a. lidng heir of David's line, and how these ea.me to Jerusalem, and saw the young king too (2 Chron. xxiii. 2, 3). It is remarkable that a fact known to so many persons <lid not in some way leak out. But the people were of one heart and one soul, and Athaliah was left in her false security without a single friend to warn her of her danger. 2. The eveniful sabbath. The day chosen for the public production of the king was probably a feast-day. Otherwise the large concourse of people from all parts of the land could hardly have failed to attract attention. It was a sabbatb and an high day-" the better the day, the better the deed." What was contemplated was indeed a revolution, and might involve bloodshed; but it was e.lso a reviving of the fallen theocracy, a replantiug of the rod of Jesse, and therefore fit work for the sabbath. Nothing that favourably affects the fortunes of the kingdom of God is out of place on the sabbath day. Jehoiada ma.de careful strategic preparations, combining apparently the Levites who went on and off duty in the temple with the life-guards under the captains, and assigning to different companies their respective posts. 3. T!te palace and tempk guarded. Guards were told off both for the "king's house" and for the temple. (1) Those who entered on duty on the sabeath were divided into three parts, and posted round the palace. One third was posted at the principal entrance; a second third at "the gate Sur "-perhaps a side gate-and the remaining third was placed nt a gnte which communicated with the temple (ver. 19), where the guards or "runners" were usually stationed. (2) Those, agaill, who went off duty on the sabbath were placed within the court of the temple, 8tretching across from side to side, to guard the person of the king. To these weapons were given from David's spears and shields, which were in the temple of the Lord. While trusting in God, Jehoiada thus took every human precaution. Faith and works co-operate in God's service. Our dependence should be as entirely in God as if human means were unavailing, yet our use of means should be as diligent as if everything depended on their employment. II. THE KING CROWNED. 1. The safety of the king's person. When the young king Joash was brought forth, and placed on a. raised stand in the temple court. bis guard stood firmly around him, ea.eh man clutching his weapon. The instructions wero that any person attempting to break through the ranks should e.t once be slain. The person of David's son was too precious to be left without an effectual guard. Yet more effectual is the guard which God places round his sons (Ps. xxxiv. 6, 7). 2. The ceremony of coronation. The a.et of coronation of the child-king was then proceeded with. Jehoiada presided a.t the ceremony. (1) The crown-visible symbol of royal office-was placed upon his head. God's priest could well preside at the coronation of God's king. As t;0n of David, ,Toasb was the legitimate heir of the throne. Royal authority is from ~od, e.nd investiture at the hands of God's ministers is our acknowledgment of this. Only those who rule by Divine favour can look for a blessing on their crown. (2) He be.d put upou his head "the testimony," ,.e. the La.w of Moses, by which kings of OR, XI. 1-21.] THE SECOND BOOK m' TIIE KINGS. 211