11:3 six years. The writer acknowledges that Athaliah had control over Judah for at least six years, but because he regards her reign as illegitimate, he does not dignify it with the usual introduction and conclusion (cf. vv. 1, 20 with 11:21–12:3, 19–21). Her years as Judah’s head of state are counted as part of Joash’s reign.

in the house of the Lord. In the temple Joash would have been instructed in God’s Law.