Thematic Bible: 6 years

King Ahaziah's mother Athaliah learned of her son's murder. She gave orders for all the members of the royal family to be killed. Only Ahaziah's son Jehoash escaped. He was about to be killed with the others, but was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's half sister. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom in the Temple. Jehosheba took care of the boy and kept him hidden in the Temple for six years. During this time Athaliah ruled as queen.

Ahaziah had a half sister, Jehosheba, who was married to a priest named Jehoiada. She secretly rescued one of Ahaziah's sons, Joash, took him away from the other princes who were about to be murdered. She hid him and a nurse in a bedroom at the Temple. By keeping him hidden, she saved him from death at the hands of Athaliah. For six years he remained there in hiding, while Athaliah ruled as queen.