Athaliah's coup; young Joash crowned
2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10–23:21
When Ahaziah died, his mother Athaliah killed the royal family and seized Judah's throne; baby Joash was hidden in the temple for six years, then crowned by the priest Jehoiada.
Then he brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, “Long live the king!”
2 Kings 11:12 (World English Bible)
Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel's daughter, nearly ended David's line. Ahaziah's sister Jehosheba rescued one infant prince. When Joash was seven, Jehoiada organized the temple guards, brought him out, and crowned him. Athaliah rushed in shouting “Treason!” and was executed.
God's promise to David hung by a single child, and it held.
Places
Dating notes
Athaliah seized power in 884 BC and ruled six years; Joash was crowned in 878 BC (Ussher).