2 Kings 11:5

“And he commanded them, saying, this is the thing that ye shall do, etc.] These were the rulers over hundreds among the priests and Levites, and which he, as high priest, could command, and whom he could convene without suspicion, being such as he had a connection with, and were unarmed men: and for the better understanding of what follows, it should be observed, that the priests, in the times of David, were divided into twenty four courses, which were by turns to serve a week in the temple; the course that came in entered when the sabbath began, and that which went out went out when it ended, and each course consisted of a thousand men: now with respect to both these courses, both that which…”

“Five divisions of the guard under their five captains are distinguished here. Three of the five divisions “enter in” on the Sabbath; the other two “go forth” on the Sabbath 2 Kings 11:7. By the former phrase seems to be meant the mounting guard at the royal palace (the “king’s house,” where Athaliah then was); by the latter the serving of escort to the sovereign beyond the palace bounds. Jehoiada orders that of those whose business it would be to guard the palace on the ensuing Sabbath, one company or cohort should perform that task in the ordinary way, while another should watch the gate of Sur - or better, “the gate of the foundation” 2 Chronicles 23:5 - that by which the palace was…”

“Of you - Levites, who were distributed into twenty four courses, to minister in turns, each course consisting of about a thousand men for a week. Enter in - That come into the temple to attend your ministry. King's house - Of that part which lead to the king's palace, which Athaliah now possessed. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 11:6”

“11:5-8 Jehoiada divided the royal guard into distinctive units: some to guard the young king; others to take up posts at the palace, the Sur Gate (or Foundation Gate, 2 Chr 23:5), and positions behind the palace guard; and still others to stand guard . . . at the Lord’s Temple. All care was taken to secure the king and the site for his anointing.”

“that enter: Ch1 9:25, Ch1 23:3-6, Ch1 23:32, Ch1 24:3-6; Luk 1:8, Luk 1:9 the watch: Kg2 11:19, Kg2 16:18; Kg1 10:5; Jer 26:10; Eze 44:2, Eze 44:3, Eze 46:2, Eze 46:3 4 Kings (2 Kings) 11:6”