1 When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she set about destroying the whole royal family.
2 But Jehosheba, King Joram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were about to be killed. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom. So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not killed.
3 For six years he stayed hidden with her in the LORD's house while Athaliah ruled the land.
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds of the Carites and of the guard and had them come to him in the LORD's house. He made a covenant with them, put them under oath in the LORD's house, and then showed them the king's son.
5 He gave them these orders: "Here is what you are to do. One third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to guard the king's palace,
6 one third are to be at the Sur Gate, and one third at the gate behind the guard. You are to keep watch over the house, as a barrier.
7 Your other two companies, all those going off duty on the Sabbath, are to guard the LORD's house around the king.
8 Form a ring around the king, each man with his weapon in his hand. Anyone who comes into your ranks is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes."
9 The commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each took his men, those coming on duty on the Sabbath along with those going off duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
10 The priest handed the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields of King David that were kept in the LORD's house.
11 The guards took their places, each with his weapon in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side, around the altar and the house, surrounding the king.
12 Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son, placed the crown on him and gave him the testimony. They proclaimed him king and anointed him, clapping their hands and shouting, "Long live the king!"
13 Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, and she went to the people at the LORD's house.
14 She looked, and there was the king, standing by the pillar as the custom was, with the commanders and the trumpeters beside him, and all the people of the land rejoicing and sounding trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, "Treason! Treason!"
15 Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds who were in charge of the troops, "Take her out between the ranks, and kill with the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "She must not be put to death in the LORD's house."
16 So they seized her, and when she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, she was put to death there.
17 Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people that they would be the LORD's people, and also between the king and the people.
18 All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and images to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Then the priest posted guards over the LORD's house.
19 He took the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the LORD's house and went into the palace by way of the gate of the guards. And he took his seat on the throne of the kings.
20 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was at peace, because Athaliah had been killed with the sword at the palace.
21 Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.