2 Kings 11:4-20--Joash Anointed King in Judah

2 Kings 11:4-20
English Standard Version

Joash Anointed King in Judah
4 But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, and had them come to him in the house of the LORD. And he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD, and he showed them the king's son. 5 And he commanded them, “This is the thing that you shall do: one third of you, those who come off duty on the Sabbath and guard the king's house 6 (another third being at the gate Sur and a third at the gate behind the guards) shall guard the palace. 7 And the two divisions of you, which come on duty in force on the Sabbath and guard the house of the LORD on behalf of the king, 8 shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand. And whoever approaches the ranks is to be put to death. Be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

9 The captains did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded, and they each brought his men who were to go off duty on the Sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 And the priest gave to the captains the spears and shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of the LORD. 11 And the guards stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house on behalf of the king. 12 Then he brought out the king's son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”

13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she went into the house of the LORD to the people. 14 And when she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!” 15 Then Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains who were set over the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to death with the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” 16 So they laid hands on her; and she went through the horses' entrance to the king's house, and there she was put to death.

17 And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people, that they should be the LORD's people, and also between the king and the people. 18 Then all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the LORD. 19 And he took the captains, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD, marching through the gate of the guards to the king's house. And he took his seat on the throne of the kings. 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the king's house.

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The high priest knew after six years that it was time to declare Joash the rightful kind of Israel, to make the Levites that were on guard duty swear to protect him, and to put to death Athaliah who tried to kill all male heirs to the throne so that she could rule as queen.  She would not be killed in the the house of the LORD, but would be dragged out and killed in the house of the king (that would now belong to Joash) and anyone who followed after her was also put to death.

Joash was not only anointed king, but he was also presented him with the "testimony" that is probably a copy of the Law, for he was to make a copy of it when he was made king.  They rejoiced when he was declared king and all the guards shouted, "Long live the king."

The temple guards continued to protect Joash with the spears and shields that belonged to King David which had been displayed inside the Temple.  Then Jehoiada the high priest renewed the LORD's covenant with the people and with King Joash, and Joash also entered into a covenant with the people.  When the people understood that they were sinning by worshiping the Baals, they immediately went to the house of Baal and tore it down and put its priest to death.  Then Joash took his place on the throne, and there was peace once Athaliah had been put to death.