a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple—
Six years Athaliah tyrannised. We have not a particular account of her reign; no doubt it was of a piece with the beginning. While Jehu was extirpating the worship of Baal in Israel, she was establishing it in Judah, as appears, Ch2 24:7.
Commenting on 2 Kings 11:4-12
And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur,.... Generally thought by the Jews to be the eastern gate, so called, as they say, because such as were defiled were bid to depart, or go back, as this word signifies, and not enter the temple; it is called "the gate of the foundation", Ch2 23:5 because, according to Ben Gersom, here the foundation...
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. (g) Called the east gate of the temple, .