American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
2 Kings 11
1
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
Reference
2
But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
People
3
And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
4
And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and showed them the king's son.
Reference
5
And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that you shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 9:25
6
And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall you keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
📍 Sur
7
And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
8
And you shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that comes within the ranges, let him be slain: and be you with the king as he goes out and as he comes in.
9
And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 23:8
10
And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
Reference
11
And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
12
And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.
Reference
Creation
Exodus 31:18
Kingdom
2 Kings 11:2
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 1:10
Isaiah 55:12
Psalm 98:8
1 Samuel 10:1
References God
Psalm 47:1
Salvation
1 Samuel 10:24
1 Kings 1:39
Witness
Exodus 25:16
13
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
14
And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
Reference
15
But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said to them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that follows her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
16
And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 9:6
17
And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD's people; between the king also and the people.
Reference
Covenant
Joshua 24:25
2 Chronicles 34:31
2 Chronicles 29:10
Ezra 10:3
Kingdom
2 Samuel 5:3
1 Samuel 10:25
18
And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and broke it down; his altars and his images broke they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
1 Kings 18:40
2 Kings 10:26
2 Kings 18:4
References Lord
Deuteronomy 13:5
Sacrifice
Deuteronomy 12:3
19
And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
20
And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
Reference
21
Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
Summary of 2 Kings 11
2 Kings Chapter 11 describes one of the most important moments in Judah's history: the preservation of the Davidic line and the removal of Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. The chapter shows God's faithfulness to His covenant with David despite human attempts to destroy the royal family.
After the death of King Ahaziah of Judah, his mother Athaliah attempts to seize complete control of the kingdom. In her pursuit of power, she orders the destruction of the royal descendants so that no one can challenge her rule. However, Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, is rescued by Jehosheba, who hides him in the temple for six years.
During Athaliah's reign, Joash remains hidden while God's promise continues through this surviving heir. In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest organizes a plan to reveal Joash and restore him as Judah's rightful king. He gathers military commanders, establishes a protective arrangement, and brings out the young prince for his coronation.
Joash is crowned, anointed, and presented with the testimony, symbolizing that his rule must be guided by God's law. The people celebrate and recognize him as king. When Athaliah discovers the ceremony, she accuses the people of treason, but her attempt to maintain power fails. She is removed from the temple area and executed.
After Joash becomes king, Jehoiada leads the people in renewing their covenant with the Lord. The temple of Baal, which had been established through the influence of Ahab's family, is destroyed, and Baal worship is removed from Judah. Joash is then placed on the royal throne, and the city experiences peace.
This chapter demonstrates that God's promises cannot be defeated by human ambition. Athaliah attempted to end the Davidic line, but God preserved it through faithful individuals who acted courageously. It also shows the importance of righteous leadership and the danger of allowing false worship to influence God's people.
After the death of King Ahaziah of Judah, his mother Athaliah attempts to seize complete control of the kingdom. In her pursuit of power, she orders the destruction of the royal descendants so that no one can challenge her rule. However, Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, is rescued by Jehosheba, who hides him in the temple for six years.
During Athaliah's reign, Joash remains hidden while God's promise continues through this surviving heir. In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest organizes a plan to reveal Joash and restore him as Judah's rightful king. He gathers military commanders, establishes a protective arrangement, and brings out the young prince for his coronation.
Joash is crowned, anointed, and presented with the testimony, symbolizing that his rule must be guided by God's law. The people celebrate and recognize him as king. When Athaliah discovers the ceremony, she accuses the people of treason, but her attempt to maintain power fails. She is removed from the temple area and executed.
After Joash becomes king, Jehoiada leads the people in renewing their covenant with the Lord. The temple of Baal, which had been established through the influence of Ahab's family, is destroyed, and Baal worship is removed from Judah. Joash is then placed on the royal throne, and the city experiences peace.
This chapter demonstrates that God's promises cannot be defeated by human ambition. Athaliah attempted to end the Davidic line, but God preserved it through faithful individuals who acted courageously. It also shows the importance of righteous leadership and the danger of allowing false worship to influence God's people.