2 Kings 11:4
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
Then in the seventh year,

Joash had been concealed in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled Judah (2 Kings 11:3). The seventh year brought the appointed time for the preservation of David’s royal line to become visible. God had not forgotten His covenant with David, even when the throne appeared to be occupied by a murderous usurper.

2Ch 23:1 Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself…
2Ki 12:1 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king…

Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards,

Jehoiada acted with wisdom, gathering military officers and the royal guard whose loyalty was necessary for a successful restoration. The Carites and guards provided trained protection, while the commanders could direct the forces under their authority. The parallel account identifies additional Levites and family leaders who joined the plan, showing that Jehoiada united both the nation’s spiritual and civil leadership around the rightful king (2 Chronicles 23:1–3).

1Ch 27:1 This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families…
1Ki 1:38 Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet,…
2Sa 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites…

and had them brought into the house of the LORD.

The temple provided a secure setting for the meeting and reminded those assembled that the coming action concerned more than political power. Athaliah had promoted Baal worship and corrupted Judah, but the house of the LORD remained the proper place from which covenant faithfulness and Davidic kingship would be renewed.

1Sa 1:24-28 Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her…
1Ki 8:1 At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem…
2Ch 5:2 At that time Solomon assembled in Jerusalem……

There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath.

Jehoiada bound the leaders to a solemn commitment before the LORD. Their oath required courage, secrecy, and loyalty to God’s chosen king. Restoring Joash would also mean resisting Athaliah’s idolatrous rule and preserving the kingdom through which God had promised to maintain David’s dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

Exo 24:7-8 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it…
2Ch 15:12-15 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD,…
2Ki 23:3 So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant…

He showed them the king’s son

The sight of Joash established beyond doubt that a living heir of David remained. The child’s preservation demonstrated God’s providence through the faithful courage of Jehosheba and Jehoiada. Though the royal seed seemed nearly extinguished, the LORD guarded the line that would ultimately lead to Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of David.

2Ch 23:11 Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son…
1Ki 1:34-35 There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet…
1Ki 1:39-40 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoiada
A high priest who played a crucial role in preserving the Davidic line by protecting Joash and orchestrating his coronation.

2. Commanders of Hundreds
Military leaders who were entrusted with the task of protecting the young king and ensuring the success of Jehoiada's plan.

3. Carites
A group of mercenaries or royal guards, possibly of foreign origin, who were loyal to Jehoiada and played a role in the protection of Joash.

4. Guards
The temple guards who were responsible for the security of the temple and the safety of the king.

5. House of the LORD
The temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and the setting for the covenant and the revelation of the king's son.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Leadership
Jehoiada's leadership was instrumental in preserving the Davidic line and ensuring the continuation of God's promises. Godly leaders can have a profound impact on the course of history and the lives of those they lead.

The Role of Covenants
The covenant made by Jehoiada with the commanders and guards underscores the importance of commitment and faithfulness in fulfilling God's purposes. Covenants are sacred and should be honored with integrity.

Courage in the Face of Danger
Jehoiada's actions required great courage and faith. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions, even when faced with opposition or danger.

The Preservation of God's Promises
Despite the threats to the Davidic line, God's promises were preserved through the faithfulness of His servants. This reminds us that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes.

The Significance of the Temple
The temple served as a place of refuge and revelation. It is a reminder of the importance of worship and seeking God's presence in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jehoiada's leadership reflect the qualities of a godly leader, and how can we apply these qualities in our own lives?

2. In what ways does the covenant made by Jehoiada with the commanders and guards mirror the covenants God makes with His people?

3. What can we learn from Jehoiada's courage and faith in the face of danger, and how can we apply this to challenges we face today?

4. How does the preservation of the Davidic line through Joash demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in our own faith journey?

5. What role does the temple play in this account, and how can we prioritize worship and seeking God's presence in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 23
This chapter provides a parallel account of Jehoiada's actions and the events surrounding Joash's coronation, offering additional details and insights.

Exodus 24:7-8
The making of a covenant, as seen in Jehoiada's actions, echoes the covenant made between God and Israel, highlighting the importance of oaths and divine promises.

Psalm 132:11-12
This passage speaks of God's promise to David regarding his descendants, which is relevant to the preservation of the Davidic line through Joash.

Hebrews 6:16-18
Discusses the seriousness of oaths and covenants, which can be related to the oath Jehoiada made with the commanders and guards.
The Preservation and Coronation of JoashC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 11:1-16
AthaliahJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 11:1-21
Malign SuccessionChristian Commonwealth2 Kings 11:1-21
The History of AthaliahDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 11:1-21
The History of AthaliahD. Thomas 2 Kings 11:1-21
The Coronation of JoashJ. Orr 2 Kings 11:4-21
People
Ahaziah, Athaliah, Carians, Carites, David, Jehoash, Jehoiada, Jehoram, Jehosheba, Joash, Joram, Mattan
Places
Samaria, Sur
Topics
Agreement, Armed, Bodyguard, Bringeth, Captains, Carians, Carites, Causeth, Commanders, Couriers, Covenant, Executioners, Fetched, Guard, Guards, Heads, Hundred, Hundreds, Jehoiada, Jehoi'ada, King's, Maketh, Oath, Rulers, Runners, Seventh, Shewed, Sheweth, Showed, Swear, Taketh, Taking, Temple, Units
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 11:4

     1346   covenants, nature of
     5261   commander
     5406   mercenaries
     5430   oaths, human

2 Kings 11:1-16

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Kings 11:1-21

     5487   queen

Library
Jehoiada and Joash
'And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. 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. 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
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

New Uses for Old Trophies
The matter I shall speak to you about to-night will lie under four heads. We will give them to you as they occur to us. I. And the first is this, IT IS WELL FOR US TO HANG ALL OUR TROPHIES IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. We, too, are warriors. Every genuine Christian has to fight. Every inch of the way between here and heaven we shall have to fight, for as hitherto every single step of our pilgrimage has been one prolonged conflict. Sometimes we have victories, a presage of that final victory, that perfect
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner of Adversity is to be Despised, and Prosperity Feared.
So much, then, have we briefly said, to shew how great is the weight of government, lest whosoever is unequal to sacred offices of government should dare to profane them, and through lust of pre-eminence undertake a leadership of perdition. For hence it is that James affectionately deters us, saying, Be not made many masters, my brethren (James iii. 1). Hence the Mediator between God and man Himself--He who, transcending the knowledge and understanding even of supernal spirits, reigns in heaven
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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