Keraia
2 Kings 11

2 Kings 11:4

Joash Anointed King of Judah · 2 Kings 11:4–12
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Translations

Modern
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son
Traditional
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 shewed them the king’s son.
Literal
And in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the heads of the hundreds, the Carites, and the runners, and he brought them to him into the house of YHWH. And he made with them a covenant and took an oath from them in the house of YHWH. And he showed them the son of the king.
Latin
Anno autem septimo misit Jojada, et assumens centuriones et milites, introduxit ad se in templum Domini, pepigitque cum eis fœdus: et adjurans eos in domo Domini, ostendit eis filium regis:

Original

Hebrew
English
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

Notes

2 Kings 11:4

  • Jehoiada the priest knew his plan could be seen as treason (2 Kings 11:14). He also did not fully trust the men he wanted to join him. Before he revealed the existence of Joash, the rightful heir to Judah’s throne, he required them to swear an oath of loyalty. These men went to the towns of Judah and brought the Levites and family leaders to the temple in Jerusalem, where they made a covenant with Joash (2 Chronicles 23:3).

  • The Carite mercenaries came from the Aegean region. They served as the king’s bodyguards (2 Samuel 20:23).

2 Kings 11:1–16

Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and the wife of King Jehoram of Judah (2 Kings 8:18, 26). As queen mother, she had significant influence, but she used it for evil (2 Kings 8:18, 27; 2 Chronicles 22:3–4). Her plans included destroying the rest of the royal family (see 2 Chronicles 22:10).

While Ahab’s family in Samaria was completely destroyed, Athaliah took control in Judah through a massacre similar to Jehu’s slaughter of her family in Samaria.

Parallels

2 Chronicles 23:1–11

People

Cherethites: Member of Philistine tribe serving as royal guard Jehoiada: High priest who overthrew Athaliah and crowned Joash

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ahaziah Athaliah Family Life and Relations Gatekeepers Jehoiada Kerethites Kings, Books of First and Second Temple

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Determine Royal Succession Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church: House of the Lord Citizens: Loyal: Jehoiada Conspiracy of Jehoiada Fatherless: Joash King by an Oath Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Joash or Jehoash Loyalty: Jehoiada Oath: Jehoida Requires an Oath from the Rulers Oaths used for Pledging Allegiance to Sovereigns Orphan: Joash Prophecies Concerning Israel: Athaliah, his Mother, Succeeds Him Religious Zeal: Jehoiada Usurpation of Political Functions by Athaliah Women: Athaliah Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne