2 Kings 11 4

2 Kings 11:4 kjv

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 showed them the king's son.

2 Kings 11:4 nkjv

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.

2 Kings 11:4 niv

In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the LORD. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the LORD. Then he showed them the king's son.

2 Kings 11:4 esv

But in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, and had them come to him in the house of the LORD. And he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD, and he showed them the king's son.

2 Kings 11:4 nlt

In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada the priest summoned the commanders, the Carite mercenaries, and the palace guards to come to the Temple of the LORD. He made a solemn pact with them and made them swear an oath of loyalty there in the LORD's Temple; then he showed them the king's son.

2 Kings 11 verses

2 Kings 11 4 Meaning

This verse details a pivotal moment in the Judean kingdom's history, describing how Jehoiada the High Priest, in the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign (though 2 Kgs 11:4 specifies the 'fourth' for gathering, the action takes place for the coup in the 'seventh' according to v.3 and v.11-12 of the same chapter; a common scholarly explanation reconciles this as the gathering of different groups over a period culminating in the seventh year coup, or some interpretations relate it to the 7th year of Joash's age), strategically initiated the coup against the usurper queen Athaliah. He did so by discreetly summoning key military and royal security personnel—the commanders of the Carites (royal bodyguards), the guards, and all those from the outlying districts—to the Temple of the LORD. There, he forged a covenant with them, securing their allegiance, and then revealed the hidden true heir to the throne, Joash, the son of Ahaziah, thus preparing for the restoration of the Davidic dynasty.

2 Kings 11 4 Context

2 Kings chapter 11 narrates the remarkable preservation of the Davidic dynasty in Judah through the efforts of Jehoiada the High Priest, despite the usurpation by Athaliah, queen mother of Ahaziah. Following the death of her son Ahaziah, Athaliah seized the throne of Judah and ruthlessly murdered all the remaining royal offspring, a drastic measure to consolidate her power. Unbeknownst to her, one infant, Joash (or Jehoash), son of Ahaziah, was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba (sister of Ahaziah, thus daughter of King Jehoram, and wife of Jehoiada the priest) and hidden in the Temple of the LORD for six years. During this period, Athaliah ruled Judah. Verse 4 details Jehoiada's bold and precise planning in the seventh year to depose Athaliah and restore Joash, the legitimate heir, to the throne. This strategic assembly of military and security forces within the sacred precinct of the Temple highlights the intertwining of religious authority, royal succession, and the divine preservation of the Davidic line.

2 Kings 11 4 Word analysis

• And in the seventh year: Hebrew "וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִית" (u-va-shā-nāh ha-shəvî‘ît). This specific temporal marker is crucial, indicating the precise timing of Jehoiada's decisive action, which directly follows the six years of Joash's hidden existence (v. 3). The fourth year reference in 2 Kings 11:4 in some versions or interpretations likely pertains to the year Joash was born, implying Athaliah's reign of terror continued for seven years until his age enabled the coup. The 2 Chr 23:1 parallel explicitly states "In the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself..." thus affirming the timing of the actual coup in the seventh year of Athaliah's reign.
• Jehoiada: Hebrew "יְהוֹיָדָע" (Yəhôyādā‘). This name means "Yah knows" or "Yah has known." He is the high priest, husband to Jehosheba, who saved Joash. His prominent role as the orchestrator of the coup signifies the critical influence of the priestly office in Judah, especially when the monarchy faltered. His actions demonstrate strong faith and decisive leadership.
• sent and brought: Hebrew "וַיִּשְׁלַח וַיִּקַּח" (wa-yyišlaḥ wa-yyiqqaḥ). These verbs convey Jehoiada's initiative and authority. "Sent" (וַיִּשְׁלַח, wa-yyišlaḥ) implies discreet and calculated invitations, while "brought" (וַיִּקַּח, wa-yyiqqaḥ) suggests he personally gathered or took responsibility for their assembly, emphasizing his active involvement.
• the commanders of hundreds: Hebrew "שָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת" (śārê ha-mē’ôt). These were mid-level military officers, each leading 100 men. Their inclusion was vital as they controlled significant fighting forces and would be key to mobilizing soldiers. Their obedience to Jehoiada suggests his widespread influence and possibly the army's underlying loyalty to the legitimate royal line.
• of the Carites: Hebrew "הַכָּרִי" (hak-kārî). The Carites were a specific mercenary force, likely from Carian origins (southwestern Asia Minor), known for their military prowess and often serving as royal bodyguards in foreign lands. Their inclusion signifies the careful strategic planning by Jehoiada to secure loyal and professional palace guard elements, critical for seizing control of the royal court. Their loyalty often depended on who paid them or who held legitimate authority.
• and of the guards: Hebrew "וְהָרָצִים" (wə-hā-rāsîm). Literally "runners" or "hasteners," referring to the royal guard, an elite force of royal attendants or couriers who also served as bodyguards. Together with the Carites, they constituted the king's most trusted personal security, highlighting Jehoiada's audacious move to win over those closest to Athaliah's existing power.
• and came to him into the house of the LORD: This signifies the Temple as the strategic meeting point. Its sanctity provided secrecy and a neutral ground for sworn oaths. More profoundly, gathering in the Temple infused the coup with divine legitimacy, portraying it not merely as a political overthrow but as an act divinely sanctioned to restore God’s covenantal king.
• And he made a covenant with them: Hebrew "וַיִּכְרֹת עִמָּהֶם בְּרִית" (wa-yyiḵrōṯ ‘immāhem bərîṯ). "Covenant" (berit) is a solemn agreement, often accompanied by oaths and even blood-shedding (though not explicitly stated here). This act bound the officers morally and spiritually to Jehoiada's cause, ensuring their commitment and unity before revealing the king's son.
• and put them under oath in the house of the LORD: This reinforces the solemnity of the covenant. Taking an oath in the Temple was a grave commitment, calling God as a witness, and implying divine judgment for breaking it. It would secure their unwavering loyalty for the perilous undertaking.
• and showed them the king's son: Hebrew "וַיַּרְא אֹתָם אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּלֶךְ" (wa-yyarə’ ’ōṯām ’eṯ-ben-ham-meleḵ). This is the climax of Jehoiada’s strategic buildup. The physical presence of the legitimate heir, Joash, the Davidic seed miraculously preserved, would have galvanized their resolve. Seeing the "king's son" after Athaliah’s genocidal attempt proved God’s faithfulness to the Davidic covenant and provided the concrete reason for their action.

Words-group analysis

• "Jehoiada...sent and brought the commanders of hundreds, of the Carites, and of the guards": This phrase emphasizes Jehoiada's strategic foresight and control. He knew exactly which key personnel to enlist to ensure the success of the coup. By involving different elements of the royal security apparatus and the military, he created a unified front, essential for surprising and overcoming Athaliah's loyalists. The integration of mercenary forces (Carites) with Judahite soldiers highlights the pragmatic necessity of his planning.
• "came to him into the house of the LORD, and he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD": This describes the highly calculated, religious, and binding nature of the agreement. The Temple's sacredness provided security for the secret meeting and imparted divine legitimacy to the oath, invoking God as witness and enforcer. This spiritual grounding of a political act demonstrates the unique role of faith and covenant in ancient Israelite kingship. It was a holy insurrection.
• "and showed them the king's son": This succinct statement marks the culmination of the conspiracy's preparation. The revelation of the true, rightful heir, who was believed dead, transformed the gathered leaders from co-conspirators into protectors of the legitimate dynasty, appealing to their inherent loyalty to the Davidic line and God's promises. It presented them with undeniable proof and purpose for their hazardous undertaking.

2 Kings 11 4 Bonus section

The mention of the Carites and the royal guards (Ha-Ratsim) provides a glimpse into the sophisticated military organization of the Judean monarchy, often mirroring that of other ancient Near Eastern empires. These elite units were distinct from the general levy or militia and formed the king's immediate retinue and security detail. The Carites, in particular, being foreign mercenaries, underscore a common practice of ancient kings to employ non-native soldiers for personal loyalty and martial skill. Jehoiada's success in swaying them to his cause speaks volumes about his influence and the compelling truth of Joash's claim to the throne. This strategic alignment with key military powers highlights that divine purpose often works through very human, practical means, requiring wise planning and courage. The narrative in Chronicles (2 Chr 23) offers a slightly expanded view, suggesting these officers also gathered the Levites from various towns, emphasizing a broader, more spiritually invested support base beyond just the palace guard for the coup.

2 Kings 11 4 Commentary

2 Kings 11:4 reveals the meticulous and divinely-guided conspiracy led by Jehoiada the High Priest to restore the rightful Davidic king. Jehoiada did not act rashly but deliberately assembled critical elements of the state’s military and security apparatus within the confines of the sacred Temple. The act of gathering these diverse forces—regular commanders, elite royal bodyguards (Carites), and other royal guards—underscores his political shrewdness and deep influence. Making a formal covenant, fortified by a binding oath taken in the LORD’s house, solidified their commitment. The ultimate act of unveiling the hidden boy-king, Joash, was the masterstroke, providing a tangible symbol of God’s covenantal faithfulness despite the human evil of Athaliah. This verse emphasizes not just political intrigue but the active intervention of God, working through human agents like Jehoiada, to ensure the continuity of the Davidic line, a crucial prefigurement of the coming Messiah. It’s a testament to divine preservation in the face of absolute tyranny.