Shall surround the king: According to the interpretation in Revised Standard Version, the guards mentioned in verses 5-6 are to guard the palace, and the guards in verses 7-8 are to guard the Temple. Based on this interpretation, Revised Standard Version continues verse 8 by assuming that the subject of the verb shall surround are the two groups of verse 7. More likely, however, the subject of this verb is all of the guards of verses 5-7, that is, the guards who normally guard the palace on the next Sabbath and those who are normally off duty.

The king here refers to Joash, and because of the possibility of confusion about who is in charge at this point in the history of Judah, the name should probably be made explicit in translation as certain English versions have done (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

Each with his weapons in his hand is literally “a man and his weapons in his hand.” Swords are normally kept in their sheathes when there is no immediate danger. But the extreme threat to the safety of Joash in the situation foreseen here requires that the swords be drawn and ready for action.

Whoever approaches the ranks is to be slain: Any person who advanced toward the rows of guards protecting the young king would be getting too near to Joash himself and would probably intend to do him harm. Any such person was to be killed immediately. The order to kill is presented by means of a passive form (is to be slain). But where passive forms are impossible or unnatural, the guards will have to be made the subject of the verb “kill.” A possible model is “you must kill any person who approaches your ranks.”

When he goes out and when he comes in: This expression is an idiom meaning “wherever he goes” (Revised English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Nouvelle Bible Segond) or “whatever he may do” (New American Bible). It is intended to include all possible activities of the young king. In some cases this expression will be shifted forward in the sentence.

In view of the above discussion of the strategy for the presentation of King Joash, the following model may be proposed for verses 5-8:

• Jehoiada commanded them, “Here is what I want you to do: The three groups of you [in the first division] who usually guard on the next Day of Rest [while two other divisions are resting]—the group of you who usually guard the king’s house, the group who usually guard the gate called Sur, and the third group who usually guard the gate that leads to the king’s house—you will guard the Temple. The other two divisions, you who are supposed to be resting, must stay here at the Temple and protect King Joash. You must follow him everywhere he goes and if any person tries to approach him, you must kill that person.”

Translators may then add a footnote at the end of verse 6, stating the following: “The Hebrew text has a word at the end of this verse whose meaning is not certain. It may mean ‘on every side’ or ‘by taking turns.’ ”

Verses 5-8 show Jehoiada speaking to three divisions of guards. One division (verses 5-6), which was coming on guard duty the next Sabbath, is divided into three parts. This division normally guarded the palace, the gate called Sur, and the gate between the Temple and the palace. The other two divisions were coming off of guard duty (verse 7). In order to give maximum protection to Joash, the priest Jehoiada is instructing the first division of guards, which is divided into three parts, to guard the Temple on this day instead of the royal palace. And he is further instructing the second and third divisions of guards to provide additional protection at the Temple, even though they normally would be off duty. The guards mentioned in verse 11 refer to all of the guards mentioned in verses 5-8.

This interpretation is clearly expressed in La Bible du Semeur, which reads:

• Then he gave them the following orders: Here is what you will do: the next sabbath, one of your companies will be on duty; the first section is usually on guard at the royal palace, the second section stands watch at the Sur Gate and the third section watches over the gate behind the guards; these three sections will take turns being on duty around the Temple. Your two other companies, composed of all those who normally are not on duty during the sabbath, will also be standing guard at the Temple of the Eternal in order to guarantee the protection of the young king. You will surround the king on all sides, each one with his weapons in hand. Whoever attempts to force his way into your ranks will be put to death. You will accompany the king in all his goings and comings.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .