📖 2 Kings — Chapter 11 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Kings 11:1 And when RAthaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the Tseed royal.
2 Kings 11:2 But RTJehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took TJoash 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.
2 Kings 11:3 And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. RAnd Athaliah did reign over the land.
2 Kings 11:4 And Rthe 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.
2 Kings 11:5 And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you Rthat enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;
2 Kings 11:6 And a third part shall be at Rthe gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, Tthat it be not broken down.
2 Kings 11:7 And two Tparts of all you that Rgo forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
2 Kings 11:8 And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and Rhe that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
2 Kings 11:9 And Rthe captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
2 Kings 11:10 And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
2 Kings 11:11 And the guard stood, Revery man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right Tcorner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
2 Kings 11:12 And Rhe brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, TGod save the king.
2 Kings 11:13 And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
2 Kings 11:14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by Ra pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
2 Kings 11:15 But Jehoiada the priest commanded the Rcaptains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 11:16 And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way Rby the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.
2 Kings 11:17 And Jehoiada Rmade a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’s people; between the king also and the people.
2 Kings 11:18 And all the people of the land Rwent into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed Tofficers over the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 11:19 And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came Rby the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
2 Kings 11:20 And all the people of the land Rrejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king’s house.
2 Kings 11:21 RSeven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 11:1–8 — Joash is protected from Athaliah
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Athaliah attacks the royal family, but Jehosheba hides Joash with his nurse. After six years Jehoiada arranges protection and prepares to present him. The survival of a child depends on courageous, careful action.
Key Truth: Protect vulnerable people through practical responsibility.
Check What You Remember
1. Who hid Joash? (2 Kings 11:2)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:2 (KJV).
2. How many years was he hidden? (2 Kings 11:3)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:3 (KJV).
3. Who organized the guards? (2 Kings 11:4)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 11:9–16 — The young king is crowned
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The guards follow Jehoiada’s plan, and Joash receives the crown and testimony. Athaliah cries treason and is removed and killed outside the LORD’s house. The transfer is a historical royal event, not a template for violent political action.
Key Truth: A rightful cause does not make every historical method a modern instruction.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose weapons were given to the captains? (2 Kings 11:10)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:10 (KJV).
2. What was put on the king? (2 Kings 11:12)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:12 (KJV).
3. Who cried treason? (2 Kings 11:14)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 11:17–21 — Covenant and renewed order
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jehoiada makes a covenant for king and people to be the LORD’s people. Baal’s shrine is destroyed, and Joash sits on the throne amid public rejoicing. His young age shows his need for faithful instruction.
Key Truth: Renewal requires a faithful commitment beyond a public ceremony.
Check What You Remember
1. Who made the covenant? (2 Kings 11:17)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:17 (KJV).
2. Which false god’s house was destroyed? (2 Kings 11:18)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:18 (KJV).
3. How old was Jehoash when he began to reign? (2 Kings 11:21)
Find it in 2 Kings 11:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
2 Chronicles 22:11 — This parallel account recalls the protection of Joash.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Who needs your protection or patient instruction? Consider a responsible step you can take.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does Jehosheba preserve Joash from Athaliah?
2. How does Jehoiada prepare the captains for the king’s appearance?
3. What accompanies the crown at Jehoash’s coronation?
4. What boundary does Jehoiada set for Athaliah’s death?
5. What commitments does the covenant join?
Notes
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