13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people , she came to the people in the house of the Lord . 14 She looked and behold , the king was standing by the pillar , according to the custom , with the captains and the trumpeters beside the king ; and all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets . Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried , " Treason ! Treason !" 15 And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, "Bring her out between e e the ranks , and whoever follows e her put to death with the sword ." For the priest said , "Let her not be put to death in the house of the Lord ." 16 So they seized e her, and when she arrived at the horses' entrance of the king's house , she was put to death there .
17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people , that they would be the Lord'S people , also between the king and the people . 18 All the people of the land went to the house of Baal , and tore it down ; his altars and his images they broke in pieces thoroughly , and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars . And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord . 19 He took the captains of hundreds and the Carites and the guards and all the people of the land ; and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord , and came by the way of the gate of the guards to the king's house . And he sat on the throne of the kings . 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet . For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king's house .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 11:13-20
Commentary on 2 Kings 11:13-16
(Read 2 Kings 11:13-16)
Athaliah hastened her own destruction. She herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying, Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward to reproach others.
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.