2 Kings 11:4-16

Athaliah Overthrown

4 Then, in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent [messengers] and brought in the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards. He had them come to him in the Lord's temple, where he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king's son

5 and commanded them, "This is what you are to do: one third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for the king's palace.

6 A third are to be at the Sur gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.^[a]

7 Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for the Lord's temple.

8 You must completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. You must be with the king in all his daily tasks."^[b]

9 So the commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest commanded. They each brought their men-those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty-and went to Jehoiada the priest.

10 The priest gave to the commanders of hundreds King David's spears and shields that were in the Lord's temple.

11 Then the guards stood with their weapons in hand surrounding the king-from the right side of the temple to the left side, by the altar and by the temple.

12 He brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, gave him the testimony,^[c][d]and made him king. They anointed him and clapped their hands and cried, "Long live the king!"

13 When Athaliah heard the noise from the guard [and] the crowd, she went out to the people at the Lord's temple.

14 As she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar according to the custom. The commanders and the trumpeters were by the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets.^[e] Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed "Treason! Treason!"

15 Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, "Take her out between the ranks, and put anyone who follows her to death by the sword," for the priest had said, "She is not to be put to death in the Lord's temple."

16 So they arrested her, and she went out by way of the Horses' Entrance to the king's palace, where she was put to death.^[f]

2 Kings 11:4-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 11

This chapter relates how that Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, being hid and preserved, when his grandmother murdered all the seed royal, after six years was produced, 2Ki 11:1-3, when Jehoiada the priest set a sufficient guard about him, and the king's house, and anointed him king, 2Ki 11:4-12, and Athaliah his grandmother, who had reigned six years, was put to death by the order of the priest, 2Ki 10:13-16, and then a covenant was made between the Lord, and the king, and the people, and between the king and the people; and he was placed on the throne, to the satisfaction of the people, and the quiet thereof, 2Ki 10:17-21.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hb obscure
• [b]. Lit king when he goes out and when he comes in
• [c]. Or him the copy of the covenant, or him a diadem, or him jewels
• [d]. Ex 31:18; Dt 17:18
• [e]. Nm 10:7-10
• [f]. 2 Ch 23:1-15