15-16 Jehoiada the priest ordered the military officers, “Drag her outside and kill anyone who tries to follow her!” (The priest had said, “Don’t kill her inside The Temple of God.”) So they dragged her out to the palace’s horse corral; there they killed her.

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.

18-20 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.

Jehoiada then stationed sentries in The Temple of God. 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. Everybody celebrated the event. And the city was safe and undisturbed—they had killed Athaliah with the royal sword.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language - eBook
The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language - eBook
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $16.49
Save: $13.50 (45%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $9.48
Save: $30.51 (76%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, amethyst gem
The Message Deluxe Gift Bible--soft leather-look, amethyst gem
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $15.65
Save: $4.34 (22%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Harvest, Wheat
The Message Harvest, Wheat
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $44.99
Save: $5.00 (10%)
The Message Women's Devotional Bible - eBook
The Message Women's Devotional Bible - eBook
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $16.49
Save: $13.50 (45%)