Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 11:5-8

"And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king`s house; And a third part shall be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier. And the two companies of you, even all that go forth on the sabbath, shall keep the watch of the house of Jehovah about the king. And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he that cometh within the ranks, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he goeth out, and when he cometh in." — 2 Kings 11:5-8 (ASV)

Five divisions of the guard, each under its own captain, are distinguished here. Three of these divisions “enter in” on the Sabbath, while the other two “go forth” on the Sabbath (2 Kings 11:7). The former phrase seems to mean mounting guard at the royal palace (the “king’s house,” where Athaliah was at that time). The latter phrase appears to refer to serving as an escort for the sovereign beyond the palace grounds.

Jehoiada ordered that of those whose duty it was to guard the palace on the coming Sabbath, one company should perform that task in the usual way. Another company was to watch the gate of Sur—or better, “the gate of the foundation” (2 Chronicles 23:5)—which was the gate typically used to leave the palace for the temple. A third company was to watch another palace gate, called “the gate of the guard” (see 2 Kings 11:19). He ordered the two companies, whose regular duty was to serve as the royal escort outside the palace walls, to enter the temple and surround the young king.

That it be not broken down (2 Kings 11:6) — The one word in the original text of which this is a translation occurs nowhere else, and its meaning is very doubtful.

Within the ranges (2 Kings 11:8) — This should be translated as “within the ranks.” If anyone tried to break through the soldiers’ ranks to get to the king, or even to disturb their order, he was to be immediately killed.