Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 11:5

5 And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; a third part of [illegible: 1+ letters]ou that enter in on the sabbath , shall even be keepers of the watch of the kings house :

Either, 1. A third part of you, (i. e. of the whole Number, including those that come in, and those that go out on the Sabbath) even they that enter in on the Sabbath: and so the two other Third parts were to consist of those that went out on the Sabbath; as some gather from ver. 6, 7. Or rather, 2. A third part onely of those that enter in on the Sabbath, who seem to be plainly divided into Three Thirds here; and ver. 6. as those that went forth on the sabbath are expresly distributed into Two Parts, ver. 7.

i. e. That come into the Temple on the Sabbath-day. For the understanding of this matter, you must know, That the Levites were, in and from David's time, distributed into Twenty four Courses, which were to do the Work of the Temple successively, and by turns; each Course consisting of about a Thousand Men for his week: of which see 1 Chron. 23. and 24.

Either, 1. Of that Bed-chamber where the King now was. But it is unlikely, and without Example, either that one Bed-chamber, or the Temple, or any part of it, should be called the kings house. And besides, the King's Person is secured by other persons, ver. 7. Or rather, 2. Of that part which leadeth to the King's Palace, which Athaliah now Possessed, and whence they might expect Opposition.

Marginal references: 1 C[illegible: 1+ letters] [illegible: 1 word] 25.