Athaliah Usurps the Throne
1When Athaliah,11:1 2Ch 22:10 Ahaziah’s mother,11:1 2Kg 8:26 saw that her son was dead,11:1 2Kg 9:27 she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.
2Jehosheba,11:2 2Kg 11:21; 12:1 who was King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s11:2 2Kg 8:25 sister, secretly rescued Joash son of Ahaziah from among the king’s sons who were being killed and put him and the one who nursed him in a bedroom. So he was hidden from Athaliah and was not killed.
3Joash was in hiding with her in the Lord’s temple six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
Athaliah Overthrown
4In11:4–16 2Ch 23:1–15 the seventh year, Jehoiada11:4 2Kg 11:15,17 sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards.11:4 2Kg 11:19 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
5and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath11:5 1Ch 9:25 are to provide protection for the king’s palace.
6A third are to be at the Foundation11:6 See 2Ch 23:5; MT here reads Sur Gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.11:6 Hb obscure11:4–6 2Ch 23:1–2
7“Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide the king protection at the Lord’s temple.
8Completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. Be with the king in all his daily tasks.”11:8 Lit king when he goes out and when he comes in11:8 Nm 27:16–17
9So the commanders of hundreds did everything the priest Jehoiada commanded. They each brought their men — those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty — and came to the priest Jehoiada.11:9 2Ch 23:8
10The priest gave to the commanders of hundreds King David’s spears and shields11:10 2Sm 8:7; 1Ch 18:7 that were in the Lord’s temple.
11Then 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.
12Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown11:12 2Sm 1:10 on him, gave him the testimony,11:12 Or him the copy of the covenant, or him a diadem, or him jewels11:12 Ex 31:18; 2Kg 23:3 and made him king. They anointed11:12 1Kg 1:39 him and clapped their hands and cried, “Long live the king!” 11:12 1Sm 10:24
13When Athaliah11:13 2Kg 11:1 heard the noise from the guard and the crowd, she went out to the people at the Lord’s temple.11:13 2Ch 23:12
14She looked, and there was the king standing by the pillar11:14 2Kg 23:3; 2Ch 34:31 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.11:14 Nm 10:7–10; 1Kg 1:39–40 Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed “Treason! Treason!” 11:14 2Kg 9:23
15Then the priest Jehoiada11:15 2Kg 11:4 ordered the commanders of hundreds11:15 1Kg 11:4; 2Ch 23:1 in charge of the army, “Take her out between the ranks, and put to death by the sword anyone who follows her,” for the priest had said, “She is not to be put to death in the Lord’s temple.”11:15 1Kg 2:30
Jehoiada’s Reforms
17Then11:17–20 2Ch 23:16–21 Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people that they would be the Lord’s people11:17 Jos 24:25; 2Ch 34:31 and another covenant between the king and the people.11:17 Some Gk versions, 2Ch 23:16 omit and another covenant between the king and the people11:17 1Sm 10:25; 2Sm 5:3
18So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and images to pieces,11:18 Dt 12:2–3; 2Kg 10:26–27 and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, at the altars.11:18 1Kg 18:40
Then Jehoiada the priest appointed guards for the Lord’s temple.11:18 2Ch 23:18
19He took the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards,11:19 2Kg 11:4,6 and all the people of the land, and they brought the king from the Lord’s temple. They entered the king’s palace by way of the guards’ gate. Then Joash11:19 2Kg 11:2–3,12 sat on the throne of the kings.
20All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death by the sword in the king’s palace.
Judah’s King Joash
21Joash11:21 = The Lord Has Bestowed11:21–12:3 2Ch 24:1–4 was seven years old when he became king.11:21 2Kg 11:2
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