1. Now Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, saw that her son was dead. Then she killed all the royal family.
2. But Jehosheba took Joash, Ahaziah’s son. She stole him from among the other sons of the king who were about to be murdered. (Jehosheba was King Jehoram’s daughter and Ahaziah’s sister.) She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. She hid Joash from Athaliah. So he was not killed.
3. He was hidden with her in the Temple of the Lord for six years. During that time Athaliah ruled the land.
4. In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of groups of 100 men. He sent for guards and the Carites, the royal bodyguards. He brought them together in the Temple of the Lord. Then he made an agreement with them. There, in the Temple of the Lord, he made them promise loyalty. Then he showed them the king’s son.
5. He commanded them, “This is what you must do. A third of you who come in on the Sabbath will guard the king’s palace.
6. Another third of you will be at the Sur Gate. And another third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will guard the Temple.
7. Two groups will go off duty on the Sabbath. They must protect the Temple of the Lord for the king.
8. All of you must stand around the king. Each man must have his weapon in his hand. If anyone comes near, kill him. Stay close to the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”
9. The commanders over 100 men obeyed everything Jehoiada the priest had commanded. Each one took his men who were beginning their Sabbath duty. Each one also took those who were ending their Sabbath duty. Both groups came to Jehoiada the priest.
10. And he gave spears and shields to the commanders. They used to belong to King David. They were kept in the Temple of the Lord.
11. Then each of the guards took his place. Each man had his weapon in his hand. There were guards from the south side of the Temple to the north side. They stood by the altar and the Temple and around the king.
12. Jehoiada brought out the king’s son. He put the crown on Joash. Then he gave Joash a copy of the Agreement with the Lord. They appointed him king and poured olive oil on him. They clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”
13. Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people. So she came to the people at the Temple of the Lord.