And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;

2 KINGS 11:5KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 11:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 11:5 mean?

2 Kings 11:5 describes a command given to a group of guards, instructing that one-third of them who come on duty during the Sabbath are to stand watch over the king’s house. This is part of a careful plan to protect the royal household during a time of political danger.

In this verse, Jehoiada the priest is speaking to the captains of the guard. The situation is tense: Queen Athaliah has seized power, and Jehoiada is organizing a secret plan to protect the young rightful king, Joash. The instructions are specific, dividing the guards into groups and assigning them to protect the king’s residence on the Sabbath, when guard rotations would naturally occur and arouse less suspicion.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 11:5

  • "Commanded" (צִוָּה, tsivvah): This word means to give a direct order or instruction. It highlights the authority and seriousness of Jehoiada’s directions to the guards.
  • "Keepers" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means to guard, watch, or keep. Here, it emphasizes the active role the guards are to take in protecting the king’s house, not just passively standing by.
  • "Watch" (מִשְׁמֶרֶת, mishmeret): This word refers to a duty, guard post, or watch. It shows that the guards are being assigned a specific, organized responsibility, not just general protection.
  • "King's" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh) and "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): These words together make it clear that the focus of protection is the royal residence, underscoring the importance of the mission.

Why 2 Kings 11:5 matters

  • This verse shows the careful planning and organization involved in protecting Joash, the rightful heir, during a dangerous time of political upheaval.
  • The mention of the Sabbath is significant because it was a time when guard shifts changed, allowing Jehoiada’s plan to be carried out without drawing attention.
  • Understanding the division of the guards and their specific roles helps clarify how Jehoiada was able to carry out a secret and effective coup to restore the Davidic line.

Where else these words appear

“watch” Hebrew H4931 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Numbers 8:26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

“part” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • Judges 20:30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: