2 Kings 11:4-16

Joash Anointed King of Judah

4 Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, ^[a] and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. ¹ He showed them the king’s son

5 and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall guard the royal palace,

6 a third shall be at the gate of Sur, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns guarding the temple—

7 the two divisions that would go off duty on the Sabbath are to guard the house of the LORD for the king.

8 You must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who approaches the ranks must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

9 So the commanders of hundreds did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest.

10 Then the priest gave to the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields of King David from the house of the LORD.

11 And the guards stood with weapons in hand surrounding the king by the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

12 Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!”

The Death of Athaliah

13 When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD. ²

14 And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”

15 And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, ^[b] and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”

16 So they seized Athaliah as she reached the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.

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.

Cross References

• 1. (2 Chronicles 23:1–11)
• 2. (2 Chronicles 23:12–15)

Footnotes

• [a] Or the mercenaries or the executioners; also in verse 19
• [b] Or out from the precincts