How to mount a successful coup d'etat: Lessons from the Bible (II Kings 11, II Chronicles 23)

The process whereby queen Athaliah was deposed and replaced as monarch of Judah by the boy-king Joash in the seventh century bce warrants analysis as a typical 'coup d'etat'. The purpose of the present article is to interpret the relevant biblical narratives (II Kings II and 11 Chron. 23) in terms relevant to that political concept. Specifically, it posits that the organization and implementation of this highly successful coup can be illuminated by reference to modern political science literature on regime change. Thus read, the biblical records of the episode constitute a detailed 'how to' manual of political action.