So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD.
Jehoiada had now got over the harlot part of his work, when, by the death of Athaliah, the young prince had his way to the throne cleared of all opposition. He had now to improve his advantages for the perfecting of the revolution and the settling of the government. Two things we have an account of here: - I. The good foundations he laid, by an original contract, Kg2 11:17.
Commenting on 2 Kings 11:17-21
And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard,.... Of which Kg2 11:4 and all the people of the land; as many as were assembled together on this occasion: and they brought down the king from the house of the Lord; the temple, which was built on an eminence: and came by the way of the gate to the king's house...
And 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. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.