Wesley Corpus

So, &c. - So you shall guard all the gates or entrances into the temple that neither Athaliah nor any of her soldiers may break in. That go, &c. - Who having finished their course, should have gone home, but were detained, 2Chron 23:8. Shall keep - While the rest guard the entrances into the temple; these shall have a special care of the king's person. Ranges - Or, fences, the wall wherewith the courts of the temple were environed. Testimony - The book of the law, which he put into the king's hand, to mind him of his duty at his entrance upon his kingdom, which was to read and write out that holy book, Deut 17:18, and to govern himself and his kingdom by it: the law of God being frequently and most properly called a testimony, because it is a witness of God's will, and man's duty. Host - Of these companies of Levites, who are elsewhere called the Lord's host, and now were the king's host. A covenant - A sacred covenant whereby he solemnly engaged both the king, and people, that they should be the Lord's people; that they should renounce, and root out all idolatry, and set up and maintain God's true worship. Between the king - This was a civil covenant, whereby the king engaged himself to rule them justly, and in the fear of God; and the people obliged themselves to defend and obey him.