17 Jehoiada now made a covenant between God and the king and the people: They were God's people. Another covenant was made between the king and the people. 18 The people poured into the temple of Baal and tore it down, smashing altar and images to smithereens. They killed Mattan the priest in front of the altar. 19 He arranged for the officers of the bodyguard and the palace security, along with the people themselves, to escort the king down from The Temple of God through the Gate of the Guards and into the palace. There he sat on the royal throne. 20 Everybody celebrated the event. And the city was safe and undisturbed - they had killed Athaliah with the royal sword.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 11:17-20
Commentary on 2 Kings 11:17-21
(Read 2 Kings 11:17-21)
King and people would cleave most firmly to each other, when both had joined themselves to the Lord. It is well with a people, when all the changes that pass over them help to revive, strengthen, and advance the interests of religion among them. Covenants are of use, both to remind us of, and bind us to, the duties already binding on us. They immediately abolished idolatry; and, pursuant to the covenant with one another, they expressed mutual readiness to help each other. The people rejoiced, and Jerusalem was quiet. The way for people to be joyful and at peace, is to engage fully in the service of God; for the voice of joy and thanksgiving is in the dwellings of the righteous, but there is no peace for the wicked.