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Athaliah and Joash(A)

11 When Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, ·saw [learned] that her son was dead, she ·killed [destroyed] all the royal ·family [offspring; C in order to claim power herself; she was a granddaughter of Omri, king of Israel; 8:26]. But Jehosheba, King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s sister, took Joash [C about a year old], Ahaziah’s son [C Joash was also known as Jehoash]. She stole him away from among the other sons of the king who were about to be murdered. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, so he was not ·killed [murdered]. He hid with her in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord for six years. During that time Athaliah ·ruled [reigned over] the land.

In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the ·commanders [captains] of groups of a hundred men, as well as the Carites [C mercenaries, probably a palace guard like the Kerethites and the Pelethites; 2 Sam. 8:18; 20:23]. He brought them together in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord and ·made [L cut] an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with them. There, in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, he ·made them promise loyalty [put them under oath], and then he showed them the king’s son. He commanded them, “This is what you must do. A third of you who go on duty on the Sabbath will guard the king’s ·palace [L house]. A third of you will be at the Sur Gate, and another third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will guard the ·Temple [L house]. The two groups who go off duty on the Sabbath must ·protect [stand guard/watch over] the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord for the king. ·All of you must stand around [Surround] the king, with weapons in hand. Kill anyone who ·comes near [tries to break your ranks]. Stay ·close to [with] the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

The ·commanders [captains] over a hundred men ·obeyed [did] everything Jehoiada the priest had commanded. Each one took his men who came on duty on the Sabbath and those who went off duty on the Sabbath, and they came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 He gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were kept in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord.

Joash Becomes King

11 Then each guard took his place with his weapons in his hand. ·There were guards [They stretched] from the ·south [L right] side of the ·Temple [L house] to the ·north [L left] side. They stood by the altar and the ·Temple [L house] and around the king. 12 Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him a copy of the ·agreement [covenant; testimony]. They ·appointed him king and poured olive oil on [anointed] him. Then they clapped their hands and ·said [shouted], “Long live the king!”

13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, she went to them at the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. 14 She looked, and there was the king, standing by the pillar [C a symbol of authority], as the custom was. The ·officers [commanders; captains] and trumpeters were standing beside him, and all the people of the land were ·very happy [rejoicing] and were blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes [C a sign of mourning or distress] and screamed, “·Traitors! Traitors! [Treason! Treason!]

15 Jehoiada the priest gave orders to the ·commanders [captains] of a hundred men, who led the army. He said, “·Surround her with soldiers [Take her out under guard; L Bring her out between the ranks] and kill with a sword anyone who follows her.” For he had said, “Don’t put Athaliah to death in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord.” 16 So they ·caught [seized] her ·when she came [and took her] to the horses’ entrance near the ·palace [L king’s house]. There she was put to death.

17 Then Jehoiada ·made [L cut] an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] between the Lord and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made an ·agreement [covenant; treaty] between the king and the people. 18 All the people of the land went to the ·temple [L house] of Baal and tore it down, smashing the altars and idols. They also killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.

Then Jehoiada the priest ·placed [stationed; posted] guards at the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. 19 He took with him the ·commanders [captains] of a hundred men and the ·Carites [C mercenaries; v. 4], the royal bodyguards, as well as the guards and all the people of the land. Together they ·took [brought; escorted] the king out of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord and went into the ·palace [king’s house] through the gate of the guards. Then the king sat on the ·royal throne [throne of the kings]. 20 So all the people of the land ·were very happy [rejoiced], and Jerusalem ·had peace [was quiet/calm], because Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the ·palace [L king’s house].

21 Joash was seven years old when he became king.

Athaliah and Joash(A)

11 When Athaliah(B) the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram[a] and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash(C) son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed.(D) He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites(E) and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king’s son. He commanded them, saying, “This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath(F)—a third of you guarding the royal palace,(G) a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple— and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king. Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks[b] is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

The commanders of units of a hundred did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields(H) that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the Lord. 11 The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

12 Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant(I) and proclaimed him king. They anointed(J) him, and the people clapped their hands(K) and shouted, “Long live the king!”(L)

13 When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord. 14 She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar,(M) as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets.(N) Then Athaliah tore(O) her robes and called out, “Treason! Treason!”(P)

15 Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks[c] and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple(Q) of the Lord.” 16 So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter(R) the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.(S)

17 Jehoiada then made a covenant(T) between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.(U) 18 All the people of the land went to the temple(V) of Baal and tore it down. They smashed(W) the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest(X) of Baal in front of the altars.

Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the Lord. 19 He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites,(Y) the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the Lord and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards. The king then took his place on the royal throne. 20 All the people of the land rejoiced,(Z) and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace.

21 Joash[d] was seven years old when he began to reign.[e]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 11:2 Hebrew Joram, a variant of Jehoram
  2. 2 Kings 11:8 Or approaches the precincts
  3. 2 Kings 11:15 Or out from the precincts
  4. 2 Kings 11:21 Hebrew Jehoash, a variant of Joash
  5. 2 Kings 11:21 In Hebrew texts this verse (11:21) is numbered 12:1.