2 Kings 11:7

the two divisions that would go off duty on the Sabbath are to guard the house of the LORD for the king.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jehoiada issues tactical orders to the temple guards and military commanders during the nighttime coup to secure the young king Joash and the sanctuary against Athaliah’s faction.

The words — The Hebrew מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mish.Meret) denotes a fixed watch or guard duty, while שָׁמְרוּ (sha.Meru) commands them to actively keep or protect that post.

The thread — This Sabbath rotation parallels the earlier palace guard command in 2 Kings 11:5 and aligns with the Levitical temple access rules outlined in 2 Chronicles 23:6.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that sacred duty and royal security operate under identical structural obligations, demanding precise obedience regardless of the day or threat.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וּשְׁתֵּ֤יu./she.Teiand/ [the] two הַיָּדוֹת֙hai./ya.dOtthe/ handsבָּכֶ֔םba./Khemin <the>/ youכֹּ֖לkolall יֹצְאֵ֣יyo.tze.'Ei[those who] go out הַשַּׁבָּ֑תha./sha.Bat<of> the/ sabbath וְשָֽׁמְר֛וּve./sha.me.Ruand/ they will keep אֶת־'et-<obj.>מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתmish.Me.ret[the] watch of בֵּית־beit-[the] house of יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahweh אֶל־'el-to הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ha./Me.lekhthe/ king

King James Version

And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord about the king.

Cross-references

2 Kings 11:5 and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall guard the royal palace,
2 Chronicles 23:6 No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.