A third part of you; 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 2 Kings 11:6,7. Or rather, 2. A third part only of those that enter in on the sabbath, who seem to be plainly divided into three thirds here, and 2 Kings 11:6, as those that went forth on the sabbath are expressly distributed into two parts, 2 Kings 11:7. That enter in on the sabbath, 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 1Ch 23 1Ch 24. The watch of the king's house; 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 king's house. And besides, the king's person is secured by other persons, 2 Kings 11:7. Or rather,
2. Of that part which leadeth to the king's palace, which Athaliah now possessed, and whence they might expect opposition.