2 Kings 11:1-7

1When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.

2Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s sister, secretly rescued Joash son of Ahaziah from among the king’s sons who were being killed and put him and the one who nursed him in a bedroom. So he was hidden from Athaliah and was not killed.

3Joash was in hiding with her in the Lord’s temple six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.

4In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards. He had them come to him in the Lord’s temple, where he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

5and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for the king’s palace.

6A third are to be at the Foundation Gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.

7“Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide the king protection at the Lord’s temple.