Athaliah Usurps the Throne

111 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead , she rose and destroyed all the royal offspring . 2 But Jehosheba , the daughter of King Joram , sister of Ahaziah , took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king's sons who were being put to death , and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom e . So they hid him from Athaliah , and he was not put to death . 3 So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lord six years , while Athaliah was reigning over the land .

4 Now in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of hundreds of the Carites and of the guard , and brought them to him in the house of the Lord . Then he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the Lord , and showed them the king's son . 5 He commanded them, saying , "This is the thing that you shall do : one third of you, who come in on the sabbath and keep watch over the king's house 6 (one third also shall be at the gate Sur , and one third at the gate behind the guards ), shall keep watch over the house for defense . 7 "Two parts of you, even all who go out on the sabbath , shall also keep watch over the house of the Lord for the king . 8 "Then you shall surround e e the king , each with his weapons in his hand ; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death . And be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in." 9 So the captains of hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded . And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath , with those who were to go out on the sabbath , and came to Jehoiada the priest . 10 The priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and shields that had been King David's , which were in the house of the Lord . 11 The guards stood each with his weapons in his hand , from the right side of the house to the left side of the house , by the altar and by the house , around the king . 12 Then he brought the king's son out and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony ; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said , " Long live the king !"

13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people , she came to the people in the house of the Lord . 14 She looked and behold , the king was standing by the pillar , according to the custom , with the captains and the trumpeters beside the king ; and all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets . Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried , " Treason ! Treason !" 15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, "Bring her out between e e the ranks , and whoever follows e her put to death with the sword ." For the priest said , "Let her not be put to death in the house of the Lord ." 16 So they seized e her, and when she arrived at the horses' entrance of the king's house , she was put to death there .

17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people , that they would be the Lord'S people , also between the king and the people . 18 All the people of the land went to the house of Baal , and tore it down ; his altars and his images they broke in pieces thoroughly , and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars . And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord . 19 He took the captains of hundreds and the Carites and the guards and all the people of the land ; and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord , and came by the way of the gate of the guards to the king's house . And he sat on the throne of the kings . 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet . For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king's house . 21 Jehoash was seven years old when he became king .