2 Kings 11:15 - Exposition

But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains —literally, princes — of the hundreds, the officers of the host —the commanders, i.e; of the small "army" assembled in the temple court— and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges ; rather, have her forth , or conduct her out between your ranks . The object was probably to preserve her from suffering violence at the hands of any of the people within the temple precincts, which Jehoiada desired to preserve free from pollution. And him that followeth her kill with the sword; i.e. if any come after her out of the temple, to attempt a rescue, slay them with the sword. The order, given aloud, was sufficient to deter persons from making the attempt. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the Lord. Jehoiada had previously given an order that her execution should take place outside the temple.