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2 Kings 11

11
Queen Athaliah rules Judah
1When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, learned of her son’s death, she immediately destroyed the entire royal family. 2But Jehosheba, King Jehoram’s#11.2 Heb Joram; the king’s name is usually spelled in its long form Jehoram (cf 2 Chron 22:11). daughter and Ahaziah’s sister, secretly took Ahaziah’s son Jehoash#11.2 Heb Joash; the king’s name is variously spelled in either long Jehoash or short Joash form. The latter is the form used in 2 Chron. from the rest of the royal children who were about to be murdered and hid#11.2 See 2 Chron 22:11; Heb lacks hid. him in a bedroom along with his nurse. In this way Jehoash was hidden from Athaliah and wasn’t murdered. 3He remained hidden with his nurse in the LORD’s temple for six years while Athaliah ruled the country.
4But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of the Carites and of the guards and had them come to him at the LORD’s temple. He made a covenant with them, and made them swear a solemn pledge in the LORD’s temple. Then he showed them the king’s son. 5He commanded them, “This is what you must do: A third of you coming on sabbath duty will guard the palace, 6a second third will be at the Sur Gate, and the final third will be at the gate behind the guards. You will take turns guarding the temple.#11.6 Heb uncertain 7You who are in the first two groups that usually go off duty on the Sabbath should also guard the LORD’s temple to protect the king. 8Surround the king completely, each of you with your weapons drawn. Whoever comes near your ranks must be killed. Stay near the king wherever he goes.”
9The unit commanders did everything that Jehoiada the priest ordered. They each took charge of those men reporting for duty on the Sabbath as well as those going off duty on the Sabbath. They came to the priest Jehoiada. 10Then the priest gave the unit commanders King David’s spears and shields, which were kept in the LORD’s temple. 11The guards, each with their weapons drawn, then took up positions near the temple and the altar, stretching from the south side of the temple to the north side to protect the king. Everyone was holding his weapons, surrounding the king. 12Jehoiada then brought out the king’s son, crowned him, gave him the royal law,#11.12 Heb lacks royal. and made him king and anointed him, as everyone applauded and cried out, “Long live the king!”
13When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guard and the people, she went to the people at the LORD’s temple 14and saw the king standing by the royal pillar, as was the custom, with the commanders and trumpeters beside the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Athaliah ripped her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”
15Then the priest Jehoiada ordered the unit commanders who were in charge of the army: “Take her out under guard,”#11.15 Heb uncertain he told them, “and kill anyone who follows her.” This was because the priest had said, “She must not be executed in the LORD’s temple.” 16They arrested her when she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate at the royal palace. She was executed there.
17Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people, that the people would belong to the LORD. The king and the people also made a covenant. 18Then all the people of the land went to Baal’s temple and tore it down, smashing its altars and images into pieces. They executed Mattan, Baal’s priest, in front of the altars. The priest Jehoiada posted guards at the LORD’s temple. 19Then he took the unit commanders, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they led the king down from the LORD’s temple, processing through the Guards’ Gate to the palace, where the king sat upon the royal throne. 20All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was at peace now that Athaliah had been executed at the palace.
Jehoash rules Judah
21 # 11.21 12:1 in Heb Jehoash was 7 years old when he became king.

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2 Kings 11: CEB

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