2 Kings 11

Athaliah Queen of Judah

11When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal 2offspring. 2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, 3took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death. 3So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lord six years, while Athaliah was reigning over the land.

44Now in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of hundreds of 5the Carites and of the 6guard, and brought them to him in the house of the Lord. Then he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the Lord, and showed them the king’s son. 5He commanded them, saying, “This is the thing that you shall do: 7one third of you, who come in on the sabbath and keep watch over the king’s house 6(one third also shall be at the gate Sur, and one third at the gate behind the 8guards), 9shall keep watch over the house for defense. 7Two parts of you, even all who go out on the sabbath, shall also keep watch over the house of the Lord for the king. 8Then you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And 10be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

9So the captains of hundreds 11did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 1012The priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of the Lord. 11The 13guards stood each with his weapons in his hand, from the right 14side of the house to the left 15side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. 12Then he brought the king’s son out and 16put the crown on him and gave him 17the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “18Long live the king!”

1319When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people in the house of the Lord. 14She looked and behold, the king was standing 20by the pillar, according to the custom, with the captains and the 21trumpeters beside the king; and 22all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah 23tore her clothes and cried, “24Treason! Treason!” 15And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out 25between the ranks, and whoever follows her put to death with the sword.” For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the Lord.” 16So they 26seized her, and when she arrived at the horses’ entrance of the king’s house, she was 27put to death there.

17Then 28Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they would be the Lord’s people, also 29between the king and the people. 18All the people of the land went to 30the house of Baal, and tore it down; 31his altars and his images they broke in pieces thoroughly, and 32killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed 33officers over the house of the Lord. 19He took the captains of hundreds and the 34Carites and the 35guards and all the people of the land; and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord, and came by the way of 36the gate of the 37guards to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings. 20So 38all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king’s house.

213940Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.