3 Then Joash and Jehosheba hid in the Lord’S Temple. Joash hid there for six years. During that time Athaliah ruled over the land of Judah.
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada the high priest sent for the captains of the Carites and guards. He brought them together in the Lord’S Temple and made an agreement with them. There in the Temple of the Lord he forced them to make a promise. Then he showed the king’s son to them.
5 Then Jehoiada gave them a command. He said, “This is what you must do. One-third of you, from those who go on duty on the Sabbath day, must stand guard at the royal palace.
6 Another third will be at the Sur Gate, and the other third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will stand guard over the palace on all sides.
7 Your two divisions who go off duty on the Sabbath day will stand guard at the Lord’S Temple and protect King Joash.
8 You must stay with him wherever he goes. The whole group must surround the king. Each guard must have his weapon in his hand, and you must kill anyone who comes too close to you.”
9 The captains obeyed everything that Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each captain took his men, both those who were going on duty on the Sabbath day and those who were going off duty. All these men went to Jehoiada the priest,