Athaliah Reigns over Judah

1Now Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son had died. So she rose and caused all the royal seed to perish. 2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death. 3So he was hidden away with her in the house of Yahweh six years, while Athaliah was reigning over the land.

4Now in the seventh year Jehoiada sent for and took the commanders of hundreds of the Carites and of the [†]guard, and brought them to him in the house of Yahweh. Then he cut a covenant with them and had them swear in the house of Yahweh, and showed them the king’s son. 5And he commanded them, saying, “This is the thing that you shall do: one-third of you, who come in on the sabbath and keep watch over the king’s house 6(one-third also shall be at the gate Sur, and one-third at the gate behind the [†]guards), [†]shall keep watch over the house for defense. 7And two parts of you, even all who go out on the sabbath, shall also keep watch over the house of Yahweh for the king. 8And you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

9So the commanders of hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10Then the priest gave to the commanders of hundreds the spears and small shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of Yahweh. 11And the [†]guards stood each with his weapons in his hand, from the right [†]side of the house to the left [†]side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. 12Then he brought the king’s son out and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”

13Then Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, and she came to the people in the house of Yahweh. 14And she looked, and behold, the king was standing by the pillar, according to the custom, with the commanders and the [†]trumpeters beside the king; and all the people of the land were glad and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!” 15And Jehoiada the priest commanded the commanders of hundreds who were appointed over the military force and said to them, “Bring her out [†]between the ranks, and whoever follows her put to death with the sword.” For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of Yahweh.” 16So they [†]laid hands on her, and she arrived at the horses’ entrance of the king’s house and was put to death there.

17Then Jehoiada cut a covenant between Yahweh and the king and the people, that they would be the people of Yahweh, also between the king and the people. 18And all the people of the land came to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces thoroughly, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed [†]overseers over the house of Yahweh. 19And he took the commanders of hundreds and the Carites and the [†]guards and all the people of the land; and they brought the king down from the house of Yahweh, and came by the way of the gate of the [†]guards to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings. 20So all the people of the land were glad, and the city was quiet. For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king’s house.

21[†]Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.