When Asalyoh, Achazyohu’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she got up and destroyed all the descendants of the royal family.

But Yehosheva, daughter of King Arom, took she was the sister of Achazyohu— Yoash son of Achazyoh, and she stole him away from among the children of the king who were being killed. [She smuggled] him and his nurse into the bed-chamber, and she concealed him from Asalyohu, and he was not killed.

And he remained with her in the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy, hidden for six years, and Asalyoh ruled over the land.

In the seventh year, Yehoyoda summoned, and he took the officers of the hundreds [who were over] the mighty warriors and the runners, and he brought them to him in the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy. He made a covenant with them and beswore them in the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy, and then he showed them the king’s son.

He commanded them saying, “This is what you are to do: one third of you, of those who come on Shabbos, will keep the watch of the king’s palace.

One third [will be] at the Sur Gate, and one third [will be] at the gate behind the runners; and you will keep the watch of the palace, without taking your mind off it.

The two groups of you, [with] all who depart on Shabbos, will guard the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy, for the king.

You will encircle the king all around, each man with his weapons in his hand, and whoever breaks the ranks will be killed. You will be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”

The officers of hundreds did everything that Yehoyoda, the kohein commanded. Each one took his men, those that were coming in for Shabbos, and those that were departing on Shabbos; and they came to Yehoyoda, the kohein.

And the koheingave the officers of the hundreds the spear[s] and the shields of King Dovid, that were in the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy.

The runners stood, each one with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the Beis [Hamikdosh] to the left side of the Beis [Hamikdosh] at the Altar and the Sanctuary, surrounding the king.

He [Yehoyoda] brought out the king’s son and placed the crown on him, and [gave him] the Testimony [the Seifer Torah]. They proclaimed him king and anointed him. They applauded and declared, “[Long] live the king!”

Asalyoh heard the sound of running people, and she came to the people in the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy.

She looked and behold, the king was standing on the pedestal as was the custom, and the officers and the trumpets were next to the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing the trumpets. Asalyoh tore her clothing, and shouted, “A revolt! A revolt!”

Yehoyoda the koheincommanded the officers of the hundreds, who were appointed over the army and he said to them, “Remove her by way of the ranks, and anyone who follows her kill with the sword.” For the kohein had said, “Let her not be killed in the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy.”

They made place for her and she came by way of the horses’ entrance to the king’s palace, and she was executed there.

Yehoyoda made a covenant between Adonoy and the king, and the people to be a people of Adonoy; and between the king and the people.

And all the people of the land came to the temple of the Baal and tore it down; its altars and its statues they broke completely. Matan, the priest of the Baal, they killed in front of the altars. Then [Yehoyoda] the kohein set up assignments for the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy.

He took the officers of the hundreds, the mighty warriors and the runners, and all the people of the land, and they escorted the king down from the Beis [Hamikdosh] of Adonoy. They came by way of the Gate of the Runners to the king’s palace, and he sat on the royal throne.

All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was tranquil. They killed Asalyohu with the sword in the king’s palace.