Elishaphat, son of Zikri, was one of the military leaders (captains of hundreds) whom the priest Jehoiada allied with to carry out the coup against Queen Athaliah and install the rightful king Joash on Judah's throne. He played a crucial role in protecting the Davidic dynasty during a critical period.
The priest Jehoiada made a covenant with the captains of hundreds, including Elishaphat son of Zikri, to overthrow Queen Athaliah and restore the Davidic kingdom.
1In the seventh year Jehoiada took courage and brought the commanders of hundreds into a covenant with him: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.
Eliashib and the other captains of a hundred went throughout Judah, gathering the Levites and family heads to carry out the plan to install Joash as king.
2They traveled throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the towns of Judah, along with the heads of the families of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
The entire assembly made a covenant with the young King Joash in God's house, where Jehoiada reminded them that the king's son was to reign as the Lord had promised concerning the descendants of David.
3Then the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them, "Here is the king's son! He shall reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the sons of David.
Eliashib and the other leaders organized the guard duty so that one-third of the priests and Levites stood watch at the doors, one-third at the king's house, and one-third at the Foundation Gate.
6No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the Levites who minister there; they may enter, for they are consecrated. But all the people are to keep the watch of the LORD.
7The Levites are to surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand, and anyone who enters the temple is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes."
Under the protection of Eliashib and the other captains of a hundred, the young Joash was crowned and anointed as king over Judah, and the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
11Then they brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, gave him the testimony, and proclaimed him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they shouted, "Long live the king!"
When Queen Athaliah heard the shouts of joy and discovered the coup, she was led out of the temple. Jehoiada ordered the captains of a hundred, including Eliashib, to take her out and kill all who followed her.
13She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance, with the officers and the trumpeters beside him. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers were leading the praise with their instruments. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"
14Jehoiada the priest brought out the commanders of hundreds who were in charge of the troops and said to them, "Take her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not put her to death in the house of the LORD."