Athaliah Overthrown

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 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. 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)

“Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide the king protection at the Lord’s temple. 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)

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)

13 When Athaliah(M) heard the noise from the guard and the crowd, she went out to the people at the Lord’s temple.(N) 14 She looked, and there was the king standing by the pillar(O) 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.(P) Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed “Treason! Treason!” (Q)

15 Then the priest Jehoiada(R) ordered the commanders of hundreds(S) 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.”(T) 16 So they arrested her, and she went through the horse entrance(U) to the king’s palace, where she was put to death.(V)

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Footnotes

  1. 11:6 See 2Ch 23:5; MT here reads Sur
  2. 11:6 Hb obscure
  3. 11:8 Lit king when he goes out and when he comes in
  4. 11:12 Or him the copy of the covenant, or him a diadem, or him jewels

Revolt against Athaliah

In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada the priest summoned the commanders, the Carite mercenaries, and the palace guards to come to the Temple of the Lord. He made a solemn pact with them and made them swear an oath of loyalty there in the Lord’s Temple; then he showed them the king’s son.

Jehoiada told them, “This is what you must do. A third of you who are on duty on the Sabbath are to guard the royal palace itself. Another third of you are to stand guard at the Sur Gate. And the final third must stand guard behind the palace guard. These three groups will all guard the palace. The other two units who are off duty on the Sabbath must stand guard for the king at the Lord’s Temple. Form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to break through. Stay with the king wherever he goes.”

So the commanders did everything as Jehoiada the priest ordered. The commanders took charge of the men reporting for duty that Sabbath, as well as those who were going off duty. They brought them all to Jehoiada the priest, 10 and he supplied them with the spears and small shields that had once belonged to King David and were stored in the Temple of the Lord. 11 The palace guards stationed themselves around the king, with their weapons ready. They formed a line from the south side of the Temple around to the north side and all around the altar.

12 Then Jehoiada brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws.[a] They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”

The Death of Athaliah

13 When Athaliah heard the noise made by the palace guards and the people, she hurried to the Lord’s Temple to see what was happening. 14 When she arrived, she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The commanders and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. When Athaliah saw all this, she tore her clothes in despair and shouted, “Treason! Treason!”

15 Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders who were in charge of the troops, “Take her to the soldiers in front of the Temple,[b] and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be killed in the Temple of the Lord.” 16 So they seized her and led her out to the gate where horses enter the palace grounds, and she was killed there.

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Footnotes

  1. 11:12 Or a copy of the covenant.
  2. 11:15 Or Bring her out from between the ranks; or Take her out of the Temple precincts. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.