2 Kings 11

Athaliah Seizes the Throne

1When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she set out to destroy the entire royal line. 2But Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom, away from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death. 3He stayed hidden with her in the temple of Yahweh for six years, while Athaliah ruled over the land.

Joash Crowned King

4In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, of the Carites and of the guards, and brought them to him at the temple of Yahweh. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath there in the temple of Yahweh, and showed them the king’s son. 5He commanded them, “This is what you are to do: a third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to guard the royal palace, 6a third are to be at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guards — you are to guard the palace, keeping watch in relays. 7The other two divisions of you, all who go off duty on the Sabbath, are to guard the temple of Yahweh for the king. 8Station yourselves around the king, each man with his weapon in hand, and put to death anyone who breaks through the ranks. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.” 9The commanders of hundreds did exactly as Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each took his men — those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty — and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10The priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields that had belonged to King David, which were kept in the temple of Yahweh. 11The guards, each with weapon in hand, took their positions around the king, from the south side of the temple to the north side, surrounding the altar and the temple. 12Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant document. They made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”

The Death of Athaliah

13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, she went into the temple of Yahweh, to the people there. 14She looked, and there was the king, standing by the pillar as was the custom, with the officers and trumpeters beside him, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, “Treason! Treason!” 15Jehoiada the priest commanded the commanders of hundreds in charge of the troops, “Bring her out from between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of Yahweh.” 16So they seized her, and when she reached the horse entrance to the palace grounds, she was put to death there. 17Then Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and the people, that they would be Yahweh’s people, and also between the king and the people. 18All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and images to pieces and killed Mattan, priest of Baal, in front of the altars. Then the priest posted guards over the temple of Yahweh. 19He took the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of Yahweh, entering the palace by way of the gate of the guards. And the king took his seat on the royal throne. 20All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the palace.