And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.

2 KINGS 11:10KJV
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2 Kings 11:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 11:10 mean?

2 Kings 11:10 describes how the priest handed out the spears and shields that once belonged to King David to the captains in charge of groups of a hundred soldiers, and these weapons were kept in the temple of the LORD. This action prepared the leaders and their men to protect the young king during a dangerous time.

The verse takes place during a crisis in Jerusalem, when Jehoiada the priest was organizing a plan to protect Joash, the rightful heir to the throne, from Queen Athaliah. Jehoiada gave the temple guards and military leaders (the captains) weapons that had historical and symbolic value, since they were once King David’s. This moment shows the seriousness of the preparations and the connection to Israel’s royal heritage.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 11:10

  • "captains" (שַׂר־sar, H8269): This word refers to leaders or commanders, here specifically those in charge of groups of soldiers. It highlights that Jehoiada was organizing a structured, military defense.
  • "hundreds" (מֵאָה-me’ah, H3967): This term means "hundred," indicating that each captain was responsible for a sizable group, showing the scale of the operation.
  • "priest" (כֹּהֵן-kohen, H3548): The word for priest reminds us that Jehoiada was not a military leader but a religious one, acting to protect the Davidic line.
  • "spears" (חֲנִית-chanit, H2595) and "shields" (מָגֵן-magen, H7982): These words specify the actual weapons given out, emphasizing that this was a real, armed defense, not just a symbolic gesture.

Why 2 Kings 11:10 matters

  • This verse shows that the priest Jehoiada used weapons from King David, connecting the rescue of Joash to Israel’s greatest king and reinforcing the legitimacy of Joash’s claim.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of the threat to the royal line and the careful, organized response led by a religious leader, not a general.
  • Understanding this moment helps clarify the wider story: it was not just a religious ceremony but a well-planned, armed effort to preserve the line of David against a violent usurper.

Where else these words appear

“shields” Hebrew H7982 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
  • Jeremiah 51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

“spears” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
  • 1 Samuel 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.