Old Testament · History

2 Kings chapter 11

When , the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she set out to destroy .But —the daughter of King Jehoram and the sister of Ahaziah—took Ahaziah’s son and smuggled him away from among the king’s sons who were about to be killed. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom, keeping him out of Athaliah’s sight so he wasn’t murdered.He stayed hidden with her in for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.In the seventh year, sent for the commanders of the and the royal runners and brought them to him at Yahweh’s temple. He made a with them, making them swear an oath in Yahweh’s temple, and then he showed them the king’s son.He gave them their orders: “A third of you who come on duty on the will guard the royal palace,a third will be at the , and a third at the gate behind the runners. You will take turns guarding the palace—and the two units among you that go off duty on the Sabbath will guard Yahweh’s temple and protect the king.You are to surround the king on all sides, each man with his weapons ready. Anyone who comes near your ranks is to be killed. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”The commanders did exactly what Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one brought his men—both those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off—and reported to Jehoiada the priest.Then the priest gave the commanders the , which were kept in Yahweh’s temple.The guards took their positions, each man with his weapon in hand, from the south side of the temple to the north side, surrounding the and the temple building itself, forming a protective ring around the king.Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and placed the crown on him and gave him . They proclaimed him king and him. The people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, she went to the crowd at Yahweh’s temple.She looked—and there was the king , as was the custom, with the commanders and trumpeters beside him. All the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets. Athaliah and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”Jehoiada the priest ordered the military commanders, “Bring her out between the ranks, and kill anyone who follows her.” The priest had specifically said, “Don’t execute her in Yahweh’s temple.”So they seized her, and when she reached the place where horses enter the palace grounds, she was killed there.Then Jehoiada made a between Yahweh, the king, and the people—that they would be Yahweh’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.Then all the people of the land went to the and tore it down. They completely smashed its altars and idols, and they killed , the priest of Baal, right in front of the altars. Jehoiada the priest posted guards at Yahweh’s temple.He took the commanders, the Carite guards, the runners, and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from Yahweh’s temple. They entered the palace through the gate of the guards, and the king .All the people of the land celebrated, and . As for Athaliah—she had been put to death by the sword at the palace.Joash was when he became king.