2 KingsChapter 11

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¹Athaliah was the mother of Ahaziah. When she saw that her son was dead, she set out to kill the whole royal family. ²But Jehosheba was King Joram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister. She took Joash son of Ahaziah. She secretly took him away from the king's sons who were about to be murdered. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom to keep him from Athaliah. So he was not killed. ³Joash stayed hidden with his nurse at the house of the LORD for six years. During that time Athaliah ruled the land. ⁴In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards. He had them brought to him at the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them. He made them take an oath. Then he showed them the king's son. ⁵He gave them orders. "Here is what you must do," he said. "Some of you come on duty on the Sabbath. One third of you will guard the royal palace. ⁶One third will be at the Sur Gate. And one third will be at the gate behind the guards. You will take turns guarding the temple. ⁷The two groups that would go off duty on the Sabbath must guard the house of the LORD for the king. ⁸Stand all around the king with your weapons in your hands. Anyone who comes near your lines must be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes." ⁹So the commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men, both those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty. They came to Jehoiada the priest. ¹⁰Then the priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields that had belonged to King David. They were kept in the house of the LORD. ¹¹The guards stood with weapons in their hands all around the king. They stood near the altar and the temple, from the south side of the temple to the north side. ¹²Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son. He put the crown on him and gave him a copy of the Testimony. They made him king and anointed him. The people clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!" ¹³Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people. So she went out to the people at the house of the LORD. ¹⁴She looked and saw the king. He was standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpet players were beside the king. All the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes. She screamed, "Treason! Treason!" ¹⁵Jehoiada the priest gave orders to the commanders of hundreds who led the army. "Bring her out between the lines of soldiers," he said. "Kill with the sword anyone who follows her." The priest had said, "She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD." ¹⁶So they grabbed Athaliah as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds. There she was put to death. ¹⁷Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people. They promised to be the LORD's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. ¹⁸Then all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and idols to pieces. They killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Then Jehoiada the priest put guards in charge of the house of the LORD. ¹⁹He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land. They brought the king down from the house of the LORD. They went into the royal palace through the Gate of the Guards. Then Joash sat down on the royal throne. ²⁰All the people of the land celebrated. And the city was calm, because Athaliah had been killed with the sword at the royal palace. ²¹Joash was seven years old when he became king.