3 He was hidden with her in the Temple of the Lord for six years. During that time Athaliah ruled the land.
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of groups of 100 men. He sent for guards and the Carites, the royal bodyguards. He brought them together in the Temple of the Lord. Then he made an agreement with them. There, in the Temple of the Lord, he made them promise loyalty. Then he showed them the king’s son.
5 He commanded them, “This is what you must do. A third of you who come in on the Sabbath will guard the king’s palace.
6 Another third of you will be at the Sur Gate. And another third will be at the gate behind the guard. This way you will guard the Temple.
7 Two groups will go off duty on the Sabbath. They must protect the Temple of the Lord for the king.
8 All of you must stand around the king. Each man must have his weapon in his hand. If anyone comes near, kill him. Stay close to the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”
9 The commanders over 100 men obeyed everything Jehoiada the priest had commanded. Each one took his men who were beginning their Sabbath duty. Each one also took those who were ending their Sabbath duty. Both groups came to Jehoiada the priest.