Background and Context:
Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, was the wife of King Jehoram of Judah and the mother of King Ahaziah. Her account is primarily recorded in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 22-23. Athaliah's reign as queen of Judah is marked by her usurpation of the throne following the death of her son, Ahaziah. Her rule is characterized by idolatry and the promotion of Baal worship, reflecting the influence of her mother, Jezebel.

Usurpation of the Throne:
After the death of Ahaziah, Athaliah seized the throne of Judah. In a ruthless bid to secure her power, she attempted to eliminate the entire royal family, which included her own grandchildren. This massacre was intended to eradicate any legitimate claimants to the throne. However, unbeknownst to Athaliah, Ahaziah's sister Jehosheba, wife of the priest Jehoiada, secretly rescued Joash, Ahaziah's infant son, and hid him in the temple for six years (2 Kings 11:1-3, 2 Chronicles 22:10-12).

The Coup Against Athaliah:
In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada the priest orchestrated a coup to overthrow her and restore the Davidic line to the throne. Jehoiada gathered the commanders, the Carites, and the guards, forming a coalition to protect the young Joash and proclaim him king. The plan was executed on the Sabbath, a strategic move that allowed for the assembly of a large number of supporters under the guise of religious observance (2 Kings 11:4-8, 2 Chronicles 23:1-7).

The Anointing of Joash:
Jehoiada brought Joash out of hiding and presented him to the people. He anointed Joash as king, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!" (2 Kings 11:12). This public declaration of Joash's kingship was a pivotal moment, signaling the end of Athaliah's illegitimate rule.

Athaliah's Death:
Upon hearing the commotion, Athaliah entered the temple and saw the newly crowned king. Realizing the coup against her, she cried out, "Treason! Treason!" (2 Kings 11:14). Jehoiada commanded the captains to seize her and lead her out of the temple precincts to avoid defiling the sacred space. Athaliah was taken to the Horse Gate of the king's house, where she was put to death (2 Kings 11:15-16, 2 Chronicles 23:14-15).

Aftermath and Significance:
The death of Athaliah marked the end of Baal worship in Judah, as Jehoiada led a religious reform to restore the worship of Yahweh. The covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people was renewed, and the temple of Baal was destroyed (2 Kings 11:17-18, 2 Chronicles 23:16-17). Joash's ascension to the throne reestablished the Davidic line, fulfilling God's promise to David regarding his descendants. The events surrounding Athaliah's death underscore the themes of divine justice and the preservation of God's covenant with David.