⁸ Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army,^(A) took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth^[a][b] and moved him to Mahanaim. ⁹ He made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin—over all Israel. ¹⁰ Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he became king over Israel; he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.

¹⁶ When these troops heard that Zimri had not only conspired but had also struck down the king, then all Israel made Omri, the army commander, king over Israel that very day in the camp.

Athaliah Overthrown

⁴ In^(A) the seventh year, Jehoiada^(B) sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards.^(C) 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 ⁵ and commanded them, “This is what you are to do: A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath^(D) are to provide protection for the king’s palace. ⁶ A third are to be at the Foundation^[a] Gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.^[b](E)

⁷ “Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide the king protection at the Lord’s temple. ⁸ Completely 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.”^[c](F)

⁹ So 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.^{(G) 10} The priest gave to the commanders of hundreds King David’s spears and shields^(H) that were in the Lord’s temple. ¹¹ Then 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.

¹² Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown^(I) on him, gave him the testimony,^[d](J) and made him king. They anointed^(K) him and clapped their hands and cried, “Long live the king!” ^(L)