1
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs.
2
But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being murdered; and they hid him and his nurse in the bedroom, from Athaliah, so that he was not killed.
3
So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lord for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
4
In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of hundreds--of the bodyguards and the escorts--and brought them into the house of the Lord to him. And he made a covenant with them and took an oath from them in the house of the Lord, and showed them the king's son.
5
Then he commanded them, saying, "This is what you shall do: One-third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall be keeping watch over the king's house,
6
one-third shall be at the gate of Sur, and one-third at the gate behind the escorts. You shall keep the watch of the house, lest it be broken down.
7
The two contingents of you who go off duty on the Sabbath shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord for the king.