At last the time came when the reign of Jezebel's daughter should be terminated; in the seventh year Jehoida strengthened himself and took five captains into covenant with him. The first step, looking to the placing of the sons of David on the throne of Judah was for the captains to go about in Judah and gather together the Levites out of all the cities, and the chief fathers; they came to Jerusalem and all made a covenant with the boy king in the temple.
Jehoida, whose name is significant— "God knows"—then made known to the congregation, of course all unknown to the queen mother, or grandmother, the plan of action he had devised for the introduction of the boy (only remaining male of the royal line) to the people as their king, and for his protection from Athaliah, and any who might do her bidding. All was to be, nevertheless, according to the prescribed order, according to God. Nothing else would please Him.
King David's spears and shields and targets, Jehoida gave to the captains of the hundreds, and attended by armed men, the king's son was brought forth. Upon his head the kingly crown was placed; and in his hands the Word of God; thus was he made king, Jehoiada and his sons anointing him, and saying, "Long live the king!"
Athaliah soon heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, and she came to the temple. There at the entrance on a raised platform stood the young boy, and the princes and the trumpets were by him, and all the people rejoiced and blew with trumpets, and singers were there with the instruments of music, and such as taught to sing praise. This was vastly contrary to the mind of Athaliah!
The hour of her judgment had come, and the murderess, led away from the people, was put to death.
How little Jehoshaphat had anticipated the result of the friendship he had formed with Ahab, the dishonor offered to God, and the injury to His people!
Now, however, Ahab, his wife Jezebel, seventy sons and all that remained to him, Athaliah, her son Ahaziah and all his brethren, 42 in number, and all the males of the royal family of David's lineage, except the boy just made king of Judah, had been removed by death, and in that land, if not in Israel, the true God was again to be worshiped.
Priests of Baal there were in both kingdoms (see 2 Kings 10:18-2818And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 19Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 20And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. 21And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. 22And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. 23And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only. 24And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. 25And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 26And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. 27And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. 28Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. (2 Kings 10:18‑28)), and while that system of religion may have been finally stamped out in Israel at this time, and the worship of Jeroboam's golden calves alone remained there, it was revived again in Judah.
Just now, however, God in His mercy was intervening' through Jehoida the priest. It is Jehoida now, and not the king, who is seen in action; of course the king was yet but a child, nevertheless we shall see that he walked aright only while the high priest lived. Elisha was a prophet in the northern kingdom at this time.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." 2 Cot, 6:14.