2 Kings 11:4

4 But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of the Carites and of the guards and had them come to him at the LORD's temple. He made a covenant with them, and made them swear a solemn pledge in the LORD's temple. Then he showed them the king's son.

2 Kings 11:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 11:4

And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over
hundreds, with the captains and the guard
This was the husband of Jehosheba, who was high priest, ( 2 Chronicles 22:11 ) these

rulers over hundreds
were not those appointed over the people for civil affairs, as by the advice of Jethro, but over the priests and Levites in their courses; five of whom are mentioned by name, and were employed in gathering together the Levites, and the chief of the fathers, throughout all the cities of Judah, ( 2 Chronicles 23:1 2 Chronicles 23:2 ) , and the "captains" here are the heads of the fathers there, who were the heads of the courses they were sent to gather; and the "guard", those of the late king, whom Athaliah had turned out of their post, and took in others in their room, unless rather the temple guard is meant:

and brought them to him into the house of the Lord;
the temple, that part of it where was the court of the priests and Levites:

and made a covenant with them;
to join with him, assist him, and stand by him in the restoration of the king, and the reformation of the kingdom:

and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord;
to keep secrecy, and be faithful to him:

and showed them the king's son;
for the truth of which he could produce his wife, the sister of the late king, and also the nurse of this child with him.

2 Kings 11:4 In-Context

2 But Jehosheba, King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister, secretly took Ahaziah's son Jehoash from the rest of the royal children who were about to be murdered and hid him in a bedroom along with his nurse. In this way Jehoash was hidden from Athaliah and wasn't murdered.

3 He remained hidden with his nurse in the LORD's temple for six years while Athaliah ruled the country.

4 But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of the Carites and of the guards and had them come to him at the LORD's temple. He made a covenant with them, and made them swear a solemn pledge in the LORD's temple. Then he showed them the king's son.

5 He commanded them, "This is what you must do: A third of you coming on sabbath duty will guard the palace,

6 a second third will be at the Sur Gate, and the final third will be at the gate behind the guards. You will take turns guarding the temple.