1. Athaliah was Ahaziah’s mother. She saw that her son was dead, so she got up and killed all the king’s family.
2. Jehosheba was King Joram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s sister. Joash was one of the king’s sons. While the other children were being killed, Jehosheba took Joash and hid him. She put him and his nurse in her bedroom, so Jehosheba and the nurse hid Joash from Athaliah. That way Joash was not killed.
3. Then Joash and Jehosheba hid in the Lord’S Temple. Joash hid there for six years. During that time Athaliah ruled over the land of Judah.
4. In the seventh year Jehoiada the high priest sent for the captains of the Carites and guards. He brought them together in the Lord’S Temple and made an agreement with them. There in the Temple of the Lord he forced them to make a promise. Then he showed the king’s son to them.
5. Then Jehoiada gave them a command. He said, “This is what you must do. One-third of you, from those who go on duty on the Sabbath day, must stand guard at the royal palace.
6. Another third will be at the Sur Gate, and the other third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will stand guard over the palace on all sides.