2 Kings 21:24

And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24)The people of the land.—Thenius thinks these are the militia, as in 2Kings 11:14; but in neither case does his opinion appear likely.

Benson Commentary

2 Kings 21:24. The people slew all that had conspired against King Amon — Thus they cleared themselves from having any hand in the crime, and did what was incumbent on them, to deter others from the like villanous practices. And the people made Josiah his son king — It is probable the conspirators had designed to put him by, but the people stood by him, and settled him on the throne, encouraged, it may be, by the indications he gave, even in his early days, of a good disposition. Now they made a happy change from one of the worst to one of the best of all the kings of Judah. Once more, said God, they shall be tried with a reformation: if that succeed, well; if not, then, after that I will cut them down.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:19-26 Amon profaned God's house with his idols; and God suffered his house to be polluted with his blood. How unrighteous soever they were that did it, God was righteous who suffered it to be done. Now was a happy change from one of the worst, to one of the best of the kings of Judah. Once more Judah was tried with a reformation. Whether the Lord bears long with presumptuous offenders, or speedily cuts them off in their sins, all must perish who persist in refusing to walk in his ways.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The intention of the conspirators had perhaps been to declare a forfeiture of the crown by the existing line, and to place a new dynasty on the throne. This the people would not suffer. They arrested them and put them to death; and insisted on investing with the royal authority the true heir of David, the eldest son of Amon, though he was a boy only 8 years old.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2Ki 21:19-26. Amon's Wicked Reign.

19-24. Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign—This prince continued the idolatrous policy of his father; and, after an inglorious reign of two years, he was massacred by some of his own domestics. The people slew the regicide conspirators and placed his son Josiah on the throne.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against King Amon,.... On occasion of his death, there seems to have been an insurrection of the people in a body, to avenge the death of their king, who might be beloved on account of his idolatry, so depraved was the nation; or it may be only to avenge his death because he was their king, whose life these men ought not to have taken away: and the rather this may be thought to be the reason by what follows:

and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead; who had been prophesied of by name above three hundred years before, see 1 Kings 13:2.

Geneva Study Bible

And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 24. - And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against King Amon. We certainly, therefore, cannot attribute Amon's murder to a popular reaction against his idolatries. Everything unites to prove that the foreign worships were in favor with the people at this period, and that the kings who patronized them were more generally popular than those who pursued the opposite course. And the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead. The prestige of the house of David was still strong. The conspirators may have intended a change of dynasty; but the mass of the people could not contemplate with equanimity the occupation of the throne by a stranger - one not of David's house. They there, in a tumultuary manner, having punished the conspirators with death, sought out the true heir, and, having found him, though he was a boy of but eight years of age, placed him upon his father's throne (comp. 2 Chronicles 33:25). 2 Kings 21:24

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

His servants conspired against him and slew him in his palace; whereupon the people of the land, i.e., the population of Judah (הארץ עם equals יהוּדה עם, 2 Chronicles 26:1), put the conspirators to death and made Josiah the son of Amon king, when he was only eight years old.