II Kings

When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, learned that her son was dead, she promptly killed off all who were of royal stock.

But Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, secretly took Ahaziah’s son Joash away from among the princes who were being slain, and [put]a[put] Cf. 2 Chron. 22.11. him and his nurse in a bedroom. And theybthey Cf. 2 Chron. 22.11 “she.” kept him hidden from Athaliah so that he was not put to death.

He stayed with her for six years, hidden in the House of GOD,cin the House of GOD Jehosheba was the wife of the high priest Jehoiada; cf. 2 Chron. 22.11. while Athaliah reigned over the land.

In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the chiefs of the hundreds of the CaritesdCarites Perhaps the Cherethites (cf. 2 Sam. 20.23) or the Carians. They were members of the king’s bodyguard. and of the guards, and had them come to him in the House of GOD. He made a pact with them, exacting an oath from them in the House of GOD, and he showed them the king’s son.

He instructed them: “This is what you must do: One-third of those who are on duty for the week shall maintain guardeshall maintain guard Heb. “and who keep guard.” over the royal palace;

another third shall be [stationed] at the Sur Gate;fSur Gate Cf. 2 Chron. 23.5 “Foundation Gate.” and the other third shall be at the gate behind the guards; you shall keep guard over the House on every side.gthe guards; … on every side Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

The two divisions of yours who are off duty this week shall keep guard over the House of GOD for the protection of the king.

You shall surround the king on every side, with your arms at the ready; and whoever breaks through the ranks shall be killed. Stay close to the king in his comings and goings.”

The chiefs of hundreds did just as Jehoiada ordered: Each took his men—those who were on duty that week and those who were off duty that week—and they presented themselves to Jehoiada the priest.

The priest gave the chiefs of hundreds King David’s spearshspears Cf. 2 Chron. 23.9, which adds “and shields.” and quivers that were kept in the House of GOD.

The guards, with their arms at the ready, stationed themselves—from the south end of the House to the north end of the House, at the altar and the House—to guard the king on every side.

[Jehoiada] then brought out the king’s son, and placed upon him the crown and the insignia.iinsignia Meaning of Heb. uncertain. They anointed him and proclaimed him king; they clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”

When Athaliah heard the shouting of the guards [and] the people, she came out to the people in the House of GOD.

She looked about and saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom, the chiefs with their trumpets beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Athaliah rent her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!”

Then the priest Jehoiada gave the command to the army officers, the chiefs of hundreds, and said to them, “Take her out between the ranksjbetween the ranks Meaning of Heb. uncertain. and, if anyone follows her, put him to the sword.” For the priest thought: “Let her not be put to death in the House of GOD.”

They cleared a passageway for her and she entered the royal palace through the horses’ entrance: there she was put to death.

And Jehoiada solemnized the covenant between GOD, on the one hand, and the king and the people, on the other—as well as between the king and the people—that they should be GOD’s people.

Thereupon all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal. They tore it down and smashed its altars and images to bits, and they slew Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars. [Jehoiada] the priest then placed guards over the House of GOD.

He took the chiefs of hundreds, the Carites,kCarites See note at v. 4. the guards, and all the people of the land, and they escorted the king from the House of GOD into the royal palace by the gate of the guards. And he ascended the royal throne.

All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. As for Athaliah, she had been put to the sword in the royal palace.