2 Kings 11:4-16

Modern English Version

Joash Anointed King of Judah

⁴ But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent word and took the captains of hundreds from the Carites and the guards and brought them to him in the house of the Lord. He made a covenant with them, put them under oath in the house of the Lord, and then showed them the king’s son. ⁵ He commanded them, saying, “This is the thing that you shall do: One-third of your unit, those who come on duty on the Sabbath, will guard the king’s house. ⁶ One-third will be at the gate of Sur, and one-third will be at the gate behind the guards. You will take turns guarding the house. ⁷ Two of your companies from all who go out on the Sabbath will keep watch over the house of the Lord for the king. ⁸ You will encircle the king, each man with his weapons in his hand, and the one that comes within the ranks must be killed. They must be with the king when he goes out and comes in.”

⁹ The captains of hundreds did according to everything that Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each took his men, those who came on duty on the Sabbath, with those that went off duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. ¹⁰ And the priest gave to the captains of hundreds spears and shields which belonged to King David that were in the house of the Lord. ¹¹ The guards stood, each with his weapons in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, along the altar and the house, surrounding the king.

¹² Then he brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. They made him king and anointed him. Then they clapped their hands and said, “Live, O king!”

The Death of Athaliah

¹³ Then Athaliah heard the sound of the guards and the people, so she came to the people in the house of the Lord. ¹⁴ Then she looked, and the king was standing by a pillar according to custom, the captains and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. So Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Conspiracy, conspiracy!”

¹⁵ But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds, those appointed over the forces, “Bring her out of the house to the ranks, and kill with the sword whoever follows her.” For the priest had said, “Let her not be killed in the house of the Lord.” ¹⁶ So they laid hands on her, and she came through the horses’ entrance into the king’s house. Then she was put to death there.