מלכים ב, פרק י״א, פסוק ד׳

After years of concealing the rightful heir to protect him from certain death, the moment arrives for a calculated political and military uprising to restore the Davidic dynasty to power. The timing marks the end of a seven-year period during which the young prince remained hidden in secret [מצודת דוד]. The rebellion is orchestrated by Jehoiada, the High Priest [שטיינזלץ], whom some identify as Yochanan from the Book of Chronicles [מצודת דוד].

Jehoiada begins assembling his loyal forces by summoning the captains of hundreds. The primary approach among commentators is that these captains were appointed from among the priests and Levites [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Their specific task was to go out and gather the heads of the Israelite households [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם].

He brings together the military and civilian leadership, enlisting specific groups of guards and commanders. There are different views regarding the identity of the primary group gathered here. One perspective suggests they were military heroes or perhaps a unit of mercenaries tasked with guarding the Temple [רש״י, מלבי״ם, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. Another approach explains their title metaphorically, stemming from the word for rams, serving as a term of honor for ministers, leaders, and heads of households [מצודת ציון, רלב״ג]. Alongside them are the royal guards, whose primary duty was to protect the king [רד״ק, שטיינזלץ].

Trusting their profound loyalty to the kingdom and the Davidic dynasty, Jehoiada brings these leaders into the House of God [שטיינזלץ]. There, he unites them around a monumental secret by forging a covenant and making them swear an oath. This oath is designed to foster deep unity among the men, guarantee their absolute silence, and secure their commitment to restoring the young prince to his father's throne [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].

Once their loyalty is completely assured, the gathering reaches its climax. Jehoiada finally reveals the young Joash to the commanders, officially sealing their pact to return the royal descendant to his rightful place in power [רלב״ג, שטיינזלץ].