We may suppose it was designed when they had finished the solemnity of
the king's inauguration, to pay a visit to Athaliah, and call her to an
account for her murders, usurpation, and tyranny; but, like her mother
Jezebel, she saved them the labour, went out to meet them, and hastened
her own destruction. 1. Hearing the noise, she came in a fright to see
what was the matter, v. 13. Jehoiada and his friends began in silence,
but now that they found their strength, they proclaimed what they were
doing. It seems, Athaliah was little regarded, else she would have had
intelligence brought her of this daring attempt before with her own
ears she heard the noise; had the design been discovered before it was
perfected, it might have been quashed, but now it was too late. When
she heard the noise it was strange that she was so ill advised as to
come herself, and, for aught that appears, to come alone. Surely she
was not so neglected as to have none to go for her, or none to go with
her, but she was wretchedly infatuated by the transport both of fear
and indignation she was in. Whom God will destroy he befools. 2. Seeing
what was done she cried out for help. She saw the king's place by the
pillar possessed by one to whom the princes and people did homage (v.
14) and had reason to conclude her power at an end, which she knew was
usurped; this made her rend her clothes, like one distracted, and cry,
"Treason! treason! Come and help against the traitors." Josephus adds
that she cried to have him killed that possessed the king's place. What
was now doing was the highest justice, yet it was branded as the
highest crime; she herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first
and loudest in crying Treason! treason! Those that are themselves most
guilty are commonly most forward to reproach others. 3. Jehoiada gave
orders to put her to death as an idolater, a usurper, and an enemy to
the public peace. Care was taken, (1.) That she should not be killed in
the temple, or any of the courts of it, in reverence to that holy
place, which must not be stained with the blood of any human sacrifice,
though ever so justly offered. (2.) That whoever appeared for her
should die with her: "Him that follows her, to protect or rescue her,
any of her attendants that resolve to adhere to her and will not come
into the interests of their rightful sovereign, kill with the sword,
but not unless they follow her now," v. 15. According to these orders,
she endeavouring to make her escape the back way to the palace, through
the stalls, they pursued her, and there killed her, v. 16. So let thy
enemies perish, O Lord! thus give the bloody harlot blood to drink, for
she is worthy.