A third part of you Of the Levites, who were distributed into twenty-four courses, to minister in turns, each course consisting of about a thousand men for a week. That enter in, &c. That come into the temple to attend your ministry. Shall be keepers of the king's house Of that part which led to the king's palace, which Athaliah now possessed. A third part shall be at the gate of Sur The chief gate of the temple, called the high gate, 2 Kings 15:35; the foundation gate, 2 Chronicles 23:5; the east gate, Jeremiah 19:2; the middle gate, Jeremiah 39:3; and the gate of entrance, Ezekiel 40:15. A third part at the gate behind the guard Either, 1st, The king's guard: or, 2d, The guard of the temple; this gate was in the south side. So shall ye keep, &c. So you shall guard all the gates or entrances into the temple, that neither Athaliah nor any of her soldiers may break in.
Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 11:5
2 Kings 11:5-6
5 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;
6 And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.