Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Kings
Book: 2 Kings
Chapter: 11
Overview:
Athaliah usurps the government of
Judah,
Jehoash made
King.
(1-12) Athaliah Put to
Death.
(13-16) The
Worship of the
Lord
restored.
(17-21)
1-12 Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the
Crown.
Jehoash, one of the
King's sons, was hid. Now was the promise
made to
David bound up 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. A
Child
indeed, but he had a good guardian, and, what was better, a good
God to go to. With such joy and satisfaction must the kingdom of
Christ be welcomed into our hearts, when his
Throne is set up
there, and
Satan the usurper is cast out. Say, Let the
King,
even
Jesus, live, for ever live and reign in my soul, and in all
the world.
13-16 Athaliah hastened her own
Destruction. She herself was
the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying,
Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward
to reproach others.
17-21 King and people would cleave most firmly to each other,
when both had joined themselves to the
Lord. It is
Well with a
people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive,
strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them.
Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the
duties already binding
On us. They immediately abolished
Idolatry; and, pursuant to the
Covenant with one another, they
expressed mutual readiness to help each other. The people
rejoiced, and
Jerusalem was quiet. The way for people to be
joyful and at peace, is to engage fully in the service of
God;
for the voice of joy and thanksgiving is in the
Dwellings of the
righteous, but there is
No peace for the wicked.