11. His weapons in his hand. These men were ready for instant action. Those ancient weapons of David had seen much of valiant service, but seldom had they had the responsibility that was theirs this day. The safeguarding of the life of this young boy took on dramatic proportions in the light of God’s promises to David (see 1 Kings 2:4; 8:25). He was all that remained of those eligible to the throne.
The right corner. From the standpoint of facing east. The right corner of the Temple was the south and the left was the north.
By the altar. The altar of burnt offering stood directly in front of the Temple porch. It was on the porch of the Temple that the king was to be stationed, in full view of the worshipers in the court. The soldiers were drawn up, several ranks deep, across the entire front of the Temple, to prevent anyone from entering there. Orders had been expressly given that none were to “come into the house of the Lord, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites” (2 Chron. 23:6).