1When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the entire royal family.
2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and smuggled him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, so he was not killed.
3He remained hidden with her in the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.
4In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites, and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the LORD. He made a covenant with them and had them take an oath at the temple of the LORD. Then he showed them the king's son.
5He gave them these instructions: 'This is what you are to do: You who are in the third of you that comes on duty on the Sabbath and guard the royal palace,'
6and you who are in the other two thirds who normally go off duty on the Sabbath — all of you are to guard the temple for the king.
7Station yourselves around the king, each man with his weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.'
8The commanders did everything Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men — those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty — and came to Jehoiada the priest.
9Then Jehoiada the priest gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and were stored in the temple of the LORD.
10The guards, each with his weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king — near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
11Jehoiada brought out the king's son and put the crown on him. He gave him a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, 'Long live the king!'
12When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the LORD.
13She looked, and there was the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, 'Treason! Treason!'
14Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred who were in charge of the troops: 'Bring her out from between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.' For the priest had said, 'She must not be put to death in the temple of the LORD.'
15So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.
16Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people, that they would be the LORD's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.
17All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the LORD.
18He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the LORD and went into the palace through the gate of the guards. The king took his seat on the royal throne.
19All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace.
20Joash was seven years old when he became king.
21Joash was seven years old when he became king.