What were the Carites?
The Carites (Hebrew: כָּרִיִּי Kārî) were a group of foreign mercenary soldiers who served as royal bodyguards in ancient Israel and Judah. Their name likely derives from a connection to the people of Caria, a region in Asia Minor (modern-day southwestern Turkey), or possibly refers to a class of elite troops, similar to the Cherethites and Pelethites, who also served David (2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Kings 1:38). The Carites appear prominently in 2 Kings 11:4, 19 during a pivotal moment in Judah’s royal history—the overthrow of Queen Athaliah and the coronation of young King Joash.
The Carites are referenced in the following biblical passages:
- 2 Kings 11:4, 19 – They are part of Jehoiada the priest’s strategy to protect Joash and install him as king.
- 2 Chronicles 23:1 – A parallel account refers to the same group.
- Possibly 2 Samuel 20:23 – May reference similar groups under David’s rule, often associated with the Cherethites.
The Role of the Carites in the Bible
The Political Context: Queen Athaliah’s Reign
After the death of King Ahaziah of Judah, his mother Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, seized the throne and began to eliminate the royal family to solidify her power (2 Kings 11:1). However, Jehosheba, sister of Ahaziah and wife of the high priest Jehoiada, rescued Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, and hid him in the temple for six years.
In the seventh year, Jehoiada orchestrated a revolt. He summoned the Carites and the temple guards to protect the child king during the anointing ceremony. These troops were vital to the success of the coup.
“He brought in the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them come to him in the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king’s son.” — 2 Kings 11:4 (NIV)
The Carites took part in the protection of Joash and the execution of the plan that led to Athaliah’s death and the restoration of the Davidic line.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Foreign Troops in Israel
The employment of foreign troops like the Carites was not uncommon in the ancient Near East. Kings often hired mercenaries to serve as personal guards or elite military units because their loyalty was not tied to internal tribal politics. David’s own use of the Cherethites and Pelethites likely set a precedent for this practice (2 Samuel 15:18).
The Carites, while not Israelites by birth, were trusted enough by Jehoiada to be involved in this sacred and political mission. Their participation in the temple setting highlights the blending of political and religious authority in Israel’s monarchy.
Theological Implications
God’s Providence Through Unlikely Instruments
The Carites represent God’s sovereign use of unexpected people to preserve His covenant promises. Though they were outsiders, they were instruments in the preservation of the Davidic line—a line God had promised would never fail (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Their role in protecting Joash, the heir to David’s throne, helped preserve the messianic hope.
This affirms a broader biblical pattern: God uses the weak, the foreign, and the obscure to accomplish His will (cf. Ruth the Moabitess, Cyrus of Persia in Isaiah 45).
How the Carites Point to Jesus
The Carites, unknowingly, played a role in preserving the Davidic line through which Jesus Christ, the true King, would come (Matthew 1:6-16). Their faithful protection of Joash kept alive the royal lineage leading to the Messiah.
Just as the Carites stood guard over the anointed king, God raised up protectors throughout history to ensure His redemptive plan would be fulfilled. Their role indirectly points to the greater Anointed One, Jesus—the Son of David, who reigns forever (Luke 1:32-33).
Broader Biblical Themes
1. God Preserves His Promises
Despite Athaliah‘s murderous attempts, God preserved Joash, just as He had preserved His people through famine, exile, and persecution. The Carites were part of that preservation.
2. Faithfulness in Dark Times
In a time of idolatry and rebellion, God used a faithful priest (Jehoiada), a courageous woman (Jehosheba), and even foreign soldiers to reestablish righteous leadership.
3. The Kingship of Christ
Joash, the hidden king brought out at the appointed time, serves as a foreshadowing of Christ. Though hidden for a time, Christ was revealed in God’s perfect timing to reign eternally.
Reflection Questions
- How does the story of the Carites remind us that God can use anyone—even outsiders—for His divine purposes?
- In what ways are we called to protect or defend God’s purposes in our own generation?
- What does the protection of Joash teach us about God‘s faithfulness to His promises?
- How can the quiet loyalty of groups like the Carites inspire Christian service today?
- In what ways does Joash’s preservation reflect the broader gospel story of Jesus Christ?
The Carites, though only briefly mentioned in Scripture, stand as a testament to God’s sovereign orchestration of history. Their presence at a crucial turning point in Judah’s royal history reminds believers that God’s plan often advances through unlikely means—and that no detail is too small in the grand story of redemption.