2 Kings 11

Athaliah Usurps the Throne

1 When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.

2 Jehosheba, [who was] King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister, secretly rescued Joash son of Ahaziah from the king's sons who were being killed and [put] him and his nurse in a bedroom. So he was hidden from Athaliah and was not killed.

3 Joash was in hiding with Jehosheba in the Lord's temple six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.^[a]

Athaliah Overthrown

4 Then, in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent [messengers] and brought in the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards. 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

5 and commanded them, "This is what you are to do: one third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for the king's palace.

6 A third are to be at the Sur gate and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to take turns providing protection for the palace.^[b]

7 Your two divisions that go off duty on the Sabbath are to provide protection for the Lord's temple.

8 You must completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. You must be with the king in all his daily tasks."^[c]

9 So the commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest commanded. They each brought their men-those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty-and went to Jehoiada the priest.

10 The priest gave to the commanders of hundreds King David's spears and shields 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 He brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, gave him the testimony,^[d][e]and made him king. They anointed him and clapped their hands and cried, "Long live the king!"

13 When Athaliah heard the noise from the guard [and] the crowd, she went out to the people at the Lord's temple.

14 As she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar 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.^[f] Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed "Treason! Treason!"

15 Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, "Take her out between the ranks, and put anyone who follows her to death by the sword," for the priest had said, "She is not to be put to death in the Lord's temple."

16 So they arrested her, and she went out by way of the Horses' Entrance to the king's palace, where she was put to death.^[g]

Jehoiada's Reforms

17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people that they would be the Lord's people and [another one] between the king and the people.^[h]

18 So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They broke its altars and images into pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, at the altars. Then [Jehoiada] the priest appointed guards for the Lord's temple.

19 He took [with him] the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king from the Lord's temple. They entered the king's palace by way of the guards' gate. Then Joash sat on the throne of the kings.

20 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death by the sword in the king's palace.^[i]

21 ^[j] Joash^[k] was seven years old when he became king.

2 Kings 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

Athaliah usurps the government of Judah, Jehoash made king. (1-12) Athaliah put to death. (13-16) The worship of the Lord restored. (17-21)

Verses 1-12 Athaliah destroyed all she knew to be akin to the crown. Jehoash, one of the king's sons, was hid. Now was the promise made to David bound up in one life only, and yet it did not fail. Thus to the Son of David, the Lord, according to his promise, will secure a spiritual seed, hidden sometimes, and unseen, but hidden in God's pavilion, and unhurt. Six years Athaliah tyrannized. Then the king was brought forward. A child indeed, but he had a good guardian, and, what was better, a good God to go to With such joy and satisfaction must the kingdom of Christ be welcomed into our hearts, when his throne is set up there, and Satan the usurper is cast out. Say, Let the King, even Jesus, live, for ever live and reign in my soul, and in all the world.

Verses 13-16 Athaliah hastened her own destruction. She herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying, Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward to reproach others.

Verses 17-21 King and people would cleave most firmly to each other, when both had joined themselves to the Lord. It is well with a people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive, strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them. Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the duties already binding on us. They immediately abolished idolatry; and, pursuant to the covenant with one another, they expressed mutual readiness to help each other. The people rejoiced, and Jerusalem was quiet. The way for people to be joyful and at peace, is to engage fully in the service of God; for the voice of joy and thanksgiving is in the dwellings of the righteous, but there is no peace for the wicked.

Footnotes

• [a]. 2 Ch 22:10-12
• [b]. Hb obscure
• [c]. Lit king when he goes out and when he comes in
• [d]. Or him the copy of the covenant, or him a diadem, or him jewels
• [e]. Ex 31:18; Dt 17:18
• [f]. Nm 10:7-10
• [g]. 2 Ch 23:1-15
• [h]. Some Gk versions, 2 Ch 23:16 omit and [another one] between the king and the people
• [i]. 2 Ch 23:16-21
• [j]. 2 Kg 12:1 in Hb
• [k]. The Lord Has Bestowed

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 11

This chapter relates how that Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, being hid and preserved, when his grandmother murdered all the seed royal, after six years was produced, 2Ki 11:1-3, when Jehoiada the priest set a sufficient guard about him, and the king's house, and anointed him king, 2Ki 11:4-12, and Athaliah his grandmother, who had reigned six years, was put to death by the order of the priest, 2Ki 10:13-16, and then a covenant was made between the Lord, and the king, and the people, and between the king and the people; and he was placed on the throne, to the satisfaction of the people, and the quiet thereof, 2Ki 10:17-21.