... > Bible > Old Testament > the divided kingdom: story of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) > story of the kings and kingdom of Judah (part I) > story of Joash, son of Ahaziah, king of Judah (2 Kings 11:4 - 12:21; 2 Chronicles 23-24) > Joash is proclaimed king at the age of seven > Jehoiada gathers a group of soldiers, presents Joash to them and persuades them to swear allegiance to him