2 Kings 11:12

The king’s son. The young prince had been hidden in the Temple, and after the guards were in their positions he was brought forth for the coronation ceremonies, to take his place by one of the pillars (2 Chronicles 23:13) of the Temple porch. This was no ordinary occasion, and every possible preparation had been made in harmony with its importance. The Levites had been gathered from all the land, and also “the chief of the fathers of Israel” (2 Chronicles 23:2).

The testimony. Hebrew ha‘eduth, the term commonly used of the Ten Commandments. The “testimony” may have been the book of the law. If so, the use of this law in the coronation ceremony was to denote the king’s devotion to the law of the Lord, according to which he would regulate his life and rule his people. This passage of Scripture is the basis of the custom of placing a copy of the Bible in the hands of British monarchs during the coronation service.

God save the king. Literally, “let the king live.” These were the words employed at the coronation of Saul (1 Samuel 10:24), of Absalom (2 Samuel 16:16), Adonijah (1 Kings 1:25), and Solomon (1 Kings 1:39). On this occasion the words were more than a perfunctory phrase. Upon the saving of the life of this child would hang the destiny of the dynasty of David. The young king would have many enemies. If he were slain, that would be the end of the direct line of the house of David. The cry, “Let the king live,” ascended to heaven with many anxious and earnest prayers as well as with a note of great rejoicing. It was commonly thought that Athaliah had succeeded in destroying all the seed royal (2 Kings 11:1). When it was discovered that one of the princes had been spared and was now king, a shout of triumph must have sounded throughout the city.