2 Kings 11

All 21 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, learned that her son was dead, she set out to destroy every member of the royal family.
2. 2But Jehosheba — the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah — secretly rescued Joash, Ahaziah's son, snatching him away from among the royal princes who were being murdered. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom, keeping him out of Athaliah's reach so he wasn't killed.
3. 3Joash stayed hidden with Jehosheba in the house of the LORD for 6 years while Athaliah ruled the land.
4. 4In the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned the commanders over hundreds, along with the captains and the guard, and brought them into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them, had them swear an oath in the house of the LORD, and showed them the king's son.
5. 5He gave them their orders: "Here's what you're going to do. A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath will guard the royal palace.
6. 6A third will be stationed at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard post. Together you'll secure the palace so no one breaks through.
7. 7The two divisions going off duty on the Sabbath will guard the house of the LORD, forming a perimeter around the king.
8. 8Surround the king on every side, each man with his weapon drawn. Anyone who tries to break through your ranks — kill him. Stay with the king wherever he goes, whether coming in or going out."
9. 9The commanders of hundreds carried out everything Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one gathered his men — both those coming on duty for the Sabbath and those going off — and reported to Jehoiada the priest.
10. 10Jehoiada then handed out the spears and shields that had belonged to King David, which were stored in the house of the LORD.
11. 11The guards stood, each with his weapon in hand, surrounding the king from the right corner of the temple to the left corner, along the altar and the temple.
12. 12Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with the testimony. They proclaimed him king and anointed him. The people clapped and shouted, 'God save the king!'
13. 13When Athaliah heard the commotion from the guards and the crowd, she rushed to the people at the house of the LORD.
14. 14She looked and saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom, with the commanders and trumpeters beside him. All the people of the land were celebrating and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, 'Treason! Treason!'
15. 15But Jehoiada the priest commanded the commanders of hundreds, the officers of the army, saying, "Take her outside the ranks, and kill with the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not let her be killed in the house of the LORD."
16. 16So they seized her and forced her out through the horse entrance of the royal palace, and there they put her to death.
17. 17Jehoiada then established a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people — that they would be the LORD's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.
18. 18Then all the people of the land went into the house of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars. Jehoiada the priest then appointed guards over the house of the LORD.
19. 19He assembled the commanders of hundreds, the captains, the guard, and all the people of the land, and they escorted the king down from the house of the LORD. They entered the king's house through the guard gate, and he sat on the throne of the kings.
20. 20All the people of the land celebrated, and the city was at peace. They killed Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
21. 21Jehoash was 7 years old when he became king.