The gatekeepers of the Sippim. This refers to “the chamber of the Asuppim” mentioned above concerning the shifts (1 Chr 26:15). This gate was at the south of the court.

At the Yesod (=Foundation) gate. In Kings [it says], “at the Sur gate” (2 Kgs 11:6). Our Sages, of blessed memory (y. Eruvin 33a), explain that this is the east gate, and that it had seven names.

**Ha-mesharetim la-Leviyyim (=the ministering Levites).**The lamed is in place of a definite hei. The same is true for: “on whose arm la-melekh (=the king) was leaning” (2 Kgs 7:2)—it is akin to ha-melekh.

Shall carry out the guard duty. This means that the priests and the Levites shall guard the inside of the Temple—[that is], the porch and the Great Hall—“because they are sanctified,” and [non-Levite] Israelites may not enter them. But the whole nation shall carry out the guard duty ofthe Lord outside.

For Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed the divisions. This refers to the divisions that were assigned weekly shifts since the time of David (1 Chr 23:6–27:34): Jehoiada withheld all members of the outgoing shift instead of dismissing them. [That is], he withheld them all—“the ones whose week was beginning along with the ones whose week had ended”—to guard the king.

Each man with shilḥo in his hand. [This means] his armaments, as in: “they shall perish by shelaḥ” (Job 36:12).

The nezer. This means the royal crown.

And the ‘edut. [This means] the royal garments, akin to ve-‘adita ‘edi (=and donned your finery; Ezek 23:40). ‘Edut is in the pattern of ge’ut (=exalted acts; Isa 12:5).

Was standing on his stand. [The formulation] in Kings—“on the stand” (2 Kgs 11:14)—is rendered by Targum Jonathan “on iṣtevana”; that is, the setav (=bench) on which the king stands in the House of the Lord.

Take [Athaliah] out to the chamber of the sederot. [This is] a place that was nisdar (=set up) for officers to sit.

**And anyone who follows her—**to help her.

They made for her yadayim (=hands). This means: They cleared an area for her to flee and to proceed into the entrance of the Horse Gate.