2 Kings 11:4-16

41Now in the seventh year Jehoiada sent orders and brought the captains of hundreds of 2the Carites and of the 3guards, and brought them to himself at the house of the Lord. Then he made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the house of the Lord, and showed them the king’s son. 5And he commanded them, saying, “This is the thing that you shall do: 4a third of you, who come in on the Sabbath and keep watch over the king’s house 6(a third also shall be at the gate Sur, and a third at the gate behind the 5guards), 6shall keep watch over the house 7for defense. 7And two parts of you, 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 8you are to be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

9So the captains of hundreds 9acted in accordance with everything that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the Sabbath, along with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, and they came to Jehoiada the priest. 10Then 10the priest gave the captains of hundreds the spears and shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of the Lord. 11The 11guards stood, each with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. 12Then he brought the king’s son out, and 12put the crown on him and gave him 13the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “14Long live the king!”

1315When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and of the people, she came to the people at the house of the Lord. 14And she looked, and behold, the king was standing 16by the pillar according to the custom, with the captains and the 17trumpeters beside the king; and 18all the people of the land were joyful and were blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah 19tore her clothes and cried out, “20Conspiracy! Conspiracy!” 15And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks, and whoever follows her, put to death with the sword!” For the priest said, “She is not to be put to death at the house of the Lord.” 16So they 21seized her, and when 22they brought her to the horses’ entrance of the king’s house, she was 23put to death there.