were heard in the palace, and the queen rushed into the Temple. Her access to it was not hindered

by the military stationed in the palace, although (according to Josephus) her immediate bodyguard

were prevented by the priests from following her in to the Sanctuary. The sight which now met her

eyes must at once have revealed to her the state of matters. On the elevated stand "at the entering

in," probably to the court of the priests,* usually occupied, at least on solemn occasions, by the

king (2 Kin gs 23:3; 2 Chronicles 34:31), she saw the youthful prince, and beside him "the

captains" and the Levites blowing their silver trumpets,** while "the people of the land" greeted

their new monarch.

* 2 Chronicles 23:13. But opinions differ as to the exact locality.

** The word used for "trumpets" is that commonly used of those blown by the Levites. In general,

it will be observed that this reference, and that to "the people of the land" - indeed, the whole

account - seem not only to confirm, but to imply that in the Book of Chronicles.

According to the Biblical account, Athaliah rent her clothes and cried, "Conspiracy, conspiracy!"

while Josephus adds that she called on those present to kill the young king. The appearance and

attempted interference of the queen was the signal for her destruction. By direction of Jehoiada,

she was led forth beyond the Temple between "the ranks" formed to prevent her escape or

communication with possible adherents. Any who might attempt to follow her were to be

immediately cut down, while Athaliah herself was to be killed beyond the bounds of the

Sanctuary. It must have been close to it, where the stables communicated with the palace, that she

met her fate.

While this was passing outside the Temple, Jehoiada completed the s econd part of the royal

installation by a twofold solemn act, of which the first consisted in a covenant by which the new

king and the people bound themselves to renewed allegiance to Jehovah; while by the second the

king similarly bound himself to the people, no doubt to. rule in accordance with the law as laid

down in the Book of Deuteronomy (2 Kings 11:17). The ancient God-appointed constitution in

Church and State having thus been re -established, the new king was conducted in state to the

palace by the principal entrance, and formally enthroned. It was probably only after this that the

people proceeded to the house of Baal, wholly destroying it and its altars and images, and slaying

Mattan, the priest of Baal. The religious reformation thus inaugurated was completed by the

appointment of the officials required to superintend and carry on the orderly worship of the

Temple - as we infer from 2 Chronicles 23:18, 19, in accordance with the arrangements originally

made by David, but which had since fallen into desuetude. And the whole account of this religious

revolution concludes with this significant record: "And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the

city was in quiet."

CHAPTER 2 - JEHOASH, OR JOASH, (EIGHTH) KING OF JUDAH. JEHU, (ELEVENTH)

KING OF ISRAEL

Character of Athaliah, of Jehoiada, and of Joash - Lessons of this History - Early Reign of Joash -

Repair of the Temple -Death of Jehoiada - Counter-reformation - Murder of Zechariah -Invasion

by the Syrians - Conspiracy against Joash - Murder of the King. (2 KINGS 12; 2 CHRONICLES

AS we look back on the events described in the preceding chapter, their deep meaning in this

sacred history becomes increasingly apparent. The movement in the northern kingdom, which