# 2 Kings 11 đź“–: Joash Saved From Athaliah
[[đź“š Explore the Bible Books]]
[[-2 Kings Overview]] | [[2 Kings 10]] | [[2 Kings 12]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#đź’¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đź“‚ Internal Notes]]
## đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### Athaliah is Eliminated
[[#Verse 01.]]Â When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she was determined to destroy the entire royal line.
[[#Verse 02.]] So Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Ahaziah’s son Joash and stole him away from the rest of the royal descendants who were to be executed. She hid him and his nurse in the room where the bed covers were stored. So he was hidden from Athaliah and escaped execution.Â
[[#Verse 03.]] He hid out with his nurse in the Lord’s temple for six years, while Athaliah was ruling over the land.
[[#Verse 04.]] In the seventh year Jehoiada summoned the officers of the units of hundreds of the Carians and the royal bodyguard. He met with them in the Lord’s temple. He made an agreement with them and made them swear an oath of allegiance in the Lord’s temple. Then he showed them the king’s son.Â
[[#Verse 05.]] He ordered them, “This is what you must do. One third of the unit that is on duty during the Sabbath will guard the royal palace.Â
[[#Verse 06.]] Another third of you will be stationed at the Foundation Gate. Still another third of you will be stationed at the gate behind the royal guard. You will take turns guarding the palace.Â
[[#Verse 07.]] The two units who are off duty on the Sabbath will guard the Lord’s temple and protect the king.Â
[[#Verse 08.]] You must surround the king. Each of you must hold his weapon in his hand. Whoever approaches your ranks must be killed. You must accompany the king wherever he goes.”
[[#Verse 09.]] The officers of the units of hundreds did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each of them took his men, those who were on duty during the Sabbath as well as those who were off duty on the Sabbath, and reported to Jehoiada the priest.Â
[[#Verse 10.]] The priest gave to the officers of the units of hundreds King David’s spears and the shields that were kept in the Lord’s temple.Â
[[#Verse 11.]] The royal bodyguard took their stations, each holding his weapon in his hand. They lined up from the south side of the temple to the north side and stood near the altar and the temple, surrounding the king.Â
[[#Verse 12.]] Jehoiada led out the king’s son and placed on him the crown and the royal insignia. They proclaimed him king and poured olive oil on his head. They clapped their hands and cried out, “Long live the king!”
[[#Verse 13.]] When Athaliah heard the royal guard shout, she joined the crowd at the Lord’s temple.Â
[[#Verse 14.]] Then she saw the king standing by the pillar, according to custom. The officers stood beside the king with their trumpets, and all the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!”Â
[[#Verse 15.]] Jehoiada the priest ordered the officers of the units of hundreds, who were in charge of the army, “Bring her outside the temple to the guards. Put to death by the sword anyone who follows her.” The priest gave this order because he had decided she should not be executed in the Lord’s temple.Â
[[#Verse 16.]] They seized her and took her into the precincts of the royal palace through the horses’ entrance. There she was executed.
[[#Verse 17.]] Jehoiada then drew up a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, stipulating that they should be loyal to the Lord.Â
[[#Verse 18.]] All the people of the land went and demolished the temple of Baal. They smashed its altars and idols to bits. They killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altar. Jehoiada the priest then placed guards at the Lord’s temple.Â
[[#Verse 19.]] He took the officers of the units of hundreds, the Carians, the royal bodyguard, and all the people of the land, and together they led the king down from the Lord’s temple. They entered the royal palace through the Gate of the Royal Bodyguard, and the king sat down on the royal throne.Â
[[#Verse 20.]]Â All the people of the land celebrated, for the city had rest now that they had killed Athaliah with the sword in the royal palace.
### Joash’s Reign over Judah
[[#Verse 21.]] (12:1) Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.
## đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Athaliah was the only woman to rule Judah as monarch in her own right.
2. Athaliah's attack nearly ended David's royal line. Joash may have been the only surviving heir.
3. Jehosheba was the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah (11:2). Second Chronicles 22:11 adds that she was the wife of Jehoiada the priest.
4. Joash was hidden in the temple for six years (11:3).
5. The Carians (11:4) were royal guards, possibly mercenaries from Caria in Asia Minor.
6. The guards were armed with King David's spears and shields kept in the temple (11:10).
7. Joash was given "the testimony" at his crowning (11:12), likely a copy of God's covenant law (Deuteronomy 17:18-19).
8. Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted "Treason!" (11:14), though she was the one who had seized the throne.
9. Mattan the priest of Baal was killed in front of the altars (11:18).
10. Joash was only seven years old when he became king (11:21).
## 🧠Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the true heir of David whom God protected. When Athaliah tried to wipe out the royal line, the infant Joash was hidden and kept safe (11:1-3). When Herod tried to kill the child Jesus, God protected Him too (Matthew 2:13-15).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đź’¬ Discussion Questions
1. Jehosheba risked her life to hide Joash (11:2-3). What does her courage teach about standing for God's purposes when it is dangerous?
2. For six years Athaliah ruled while the true king was hidden (11:3). How do we stay faithful when it looks like evil is in control?
3. The people made a covenant to be the Lord's people and then tore down Baal's temple (11:17-18). Why does real commitment to God require removing idols?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- đź“– verses 2-3: Jehosheba hides young Joash in the Lord's temple for six years.
- đź“– verse 12: Joash is crowned, and the people shout, "Long live the king!"
- đź“– verse 17: Jehoiada makes a covenant that the people will be the Lord's people.
## đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đź”— [[Matthew 02#Verse 13.|Matthew 2:13-15]] - God protects the child Jesus from Herod.
- đź”— [[2 Samuel 07#Verse 12.|2 Samuel 7:12-16]] - God promises David an enduring dynasty.
- đź”— [[2 Chronicles 22#Verse 10.|2 Chronicles 22:10-12]] - The parallel account of Joash's rescue.
- đź”— [[2 Chronicles 23#Verse 16.|2 Chronicles 23:16]] - Jehoiada's covenant to be the Lord's people.
- đź”— [[Deuteronomy 17#Verse 18.|Deuteronomy 17:18-19]] - The king is to keep a copy of God's law.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
đź“ť SOAP: [[2 Kings 11 - SOAP|Go All The Way]]
## đź“‚ Internal Notes