2 Kings 11:1-9 ▼

1 When Athaliah (afflicted of YHWH) the mother of Ahaziah (YHWH holds) saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.

2 But Jehosheba (Jehoshabeath) daughter of King Joram (Jehoram), the sister of Ahaziah (YHWH holds), took Joash (given by the Lord) son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah (afflicted of YHWH), and he was not killed.

3 And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD {YHWH} for six years while Athaliah (afflicted of YHWH) ruled the land.

4 Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada (YHWH knows) sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites (the mercenaries), and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD {YHWH}. There 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: 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 (turning aside), 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 {YHWH} 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 (YHWH knows) 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.