... > 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 > Joash, protected by the soldiers, is crowned and anointed king; the people acclaim him > Athalia hearing the noise of the people acclaiming King Joash, comes to the temple and sees the new king standing by a pillar; she tears her clothes in dismay