PK 216
(Prophets and Kings 216)
“Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 23:12. “And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets.” 2 Kings 11:14. (PK 216.1) MC VC
“Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.” 2 Kings 11:14. But Jehoiada commanded the officers to lay hold of Athaliah and all her followers and lead them out of the temple to a place of execution, where they were to be slain. (PK 216.2) MC VC
Thus perished the last member of the house of Ahab. The terrible evil that had been wrought through his alliance with Jezebel, continued till the last of his descendants was destroyed. Even in the land of Judah, where the worship of the true God had never been formally set aside, Athaliah had succeeded in seducing many. Immediately after the execution of the impenitent queen “all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.” 2 Kings 11:18. (PK 216.3) MC VC
A reformation followed. Those who took part in acclaiming Joash king, had solemnly covenanted “that they should be the Lord’s people.” And now that the evil influence of the daughter of Jezebel had been removed from the kingdom of Judah, and the priests of Baal had been slain and their temple destroyed, “all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet.” 2 Chronicles 23:16, 21. (PK 216.4) MC VC