7
The Levites must surround the king, each with his weapons drawn. Whoever comes near your ranks must be killed; stay near the king wherever he goes."
8
The Levites and all Judah did everything that the priest Jehoiada ordered. They each took charge of those men reporting for duty on the Sabbath, as well as those going off duty, since Jehoiada hadn't released any divisions from duty.
9
Then the priest Jehoiada gave the unit commanders King David's spears and large and small shields that were kept in God's temple.
10
He positioned all the people, each with their weapons drawn, near the altar and the temple, stretching from the south side of the temple to the north side, so as to protect the king.
11
Then they brought out the king's son, crowned him, gave him the royal law, and made him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him as everyone cried out, "Long live the king!"
12
When Athaliah heard the noise made by the people running and cheering the king, she went to the people at the LORD's temple
13
and saw the king standing by the royal pillar at the entrance, with the commanders and trumpeters beside the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and singers accompanied by musical instruments were leading the praise. Athaliah ripped her clothes and screamed, "Treason! Treason!"
14
Then the priest Jehoiada brought out the unit commanders who were in charge of the army. "Take her out under guard," he told them, "and kill anyone who follows her." This was because the priest had said, "She must not be executed in the LORD's temple.
15
They arrested her when she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate at the royal palace. She was executed there.
16
Jehoiada then made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they would be the LORD's people.
17
Then all the people went to Baal's temple and tore it down, smashing its altars and images into pieces. They executed Baal's priest Mattan in front of the altars.