New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
2 Kings 11
1
Athaliah was Ahaziah's mother. She saw that her son was dead. So she began to wipe out the whole royal house of Judah.
Reference
2
But Jehosheba went and got Joash, the son of Ahaziah. She was the daughter of King Jehoram and the sister of Ahaziah. She stole Joash away from among the royal princes. All of them were about to be murdered. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. That's how she hid him from Athaliah. And that's why Athaliah didn't kill him.
People
3
The child remained hidden with his nurse at the Lord's temple for six years. Athaliah ruled over the land during that time.
4
In the seventh year the priest Jehoiada sent for the commanders of companies of 100 men. They were the commanders over the Carites and guards. He had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them. He made them take an oath at the temple. Then he showed them the king's son.
Reference
5
He gave them a command. He said, "Here's what you must do. There are five companies of you. Some of you are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath day. A third of you must guard the royal palace.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 9:25
6
A third of you must guard the Sur Gate. And a third of you must guard the gate that is behind the guard. All of you must take turns guarding the temple.
📍 Sur
7
"The rest of you are in the other two companies. Normally you are not on duty on the Sabbath. But you also must guard the temple for the king.
8
Station yourselves around the king. Each man must have his weapon in his hand. Anyone else who approaches your companies must be put to death. Stay close to the king no matter where he goes."
9
The commanders of the companies did just as the priest Jehoiada ordered. Each commander got his men and came to Jehoiada. Some of the men were going on duty on the Sabbath day. Others were going off duty.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 23:8
10
Then Jehoiada gave weapons to the commanders. He gave them spears and shields. The weapons had belonged to King David. They had been in the Lord's temple.
Reference
11
The guards stationed themselves around the new king. Each man had his weapon in his hand. They were near the altar and the temple. They stood from the south side of the temple to its north side. Their line formed half of a circle.
12
Jehoiada brought Ahaziah's son out. He put the crown on him. He gave him a copy of the covenant. And he announced that Joash was king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him. The people clapped their hands. Then they shouted, "May the king live a long time!"
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
Athaliah heard the noise the guards and the people were making. So she went to the people at the Lord's temple.
14
She looked. And there was the king! He was standing next to the pillar. That was the usual practice. The officers and trumpet players were standing beside the king. All of the people of the land were filled with joy. They were blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her royal robes. She called out, "Treason! It's treason!"
Reference
15
The priest Jehoiada gave an order to the commanders of the companies. They were in charge of the troops. He said to them, "Bring her away from the temple between the line of guards. Use your swords to kill anyone who follows her." The priest had said, "She must not be put to death at the Lord's temple."
16
So they grabbed hold of her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds. There she was put to death.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 9:6
17
Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people. He had the king and people promise that they would be the Lord's people. Jehoiada also made a covenant between the king 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
All of the people of the land went to Baal's temple. They tore it down. They smashed to pieces the altars and the statues of gods. They killed Mattan in front of the altars. He was the priest of Baal. Then the priest Jehoiada stationed guards at the temple 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
He took with him the commanders of companies of 100 men. They were the commanders over the Carites and guards. He also took with him all of the people of the land. All of them brought the new king down from the Lord's temple. They went into the palace. They entered it by going through the gate of the guards. Then the king sat down on the royal throne.
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.