2 Kings 11:1-21, NLT
2 Kings 11
Queen Athaliah Rules in Judah
1When Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, learned that her son was dead, she began to destroy the rest of the royal family.
Revolt against Athaliah
4In 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.
5Jehoiada 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.
9So 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,
12Then Jehoiada brought out Joash, the king’s son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God’s laws.*11:12 Or a copy of the covenant. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”
The Death of Athaliah
13When Athaliah heard the noise made by the palace guards and the people, she hurried to the Lord’s Temple to see what was happening.
15Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders who were in charge of the troops, “Take her to the soldiers in front of the Temple,*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. and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be killed in the Temple of the Lord.”
Jehoiada’s Religious Reforms
17Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.
Jehoiada the priest stationed guards at the Temple of the Lord.
21*11:21a Verse 11:21 is numbered 12:1 in Hebrew text.Joash*11:21b Hebrew Jehoash, a variant spelling of Joash. was seven years old when he became king.