Bible Strands
2 Kings 11:20
and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword at the royal palace.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes the immediate aftermath of Joash’s coronation, recording the public reaction following the execution of the usurper Athaliah at the royal palace.
The words — שָׁקָ֑טָה (sha.Ka.tah) translates literally to “it was quiet” or “it was at peace,” describing the sudden cessation of civil disturbance in Jerusalem.
The thread — This sequence of public rejoicing and civic stability following a tyrant’s removal aligns with the pattern observed in Proverbs 11:10 and Proverbs 29:2.
Why it lands — The text states that the city’s quiet resulted directly from Athaliah’s death. Readers must acknowledge that political stability and public rejoicing are presented as concrete outcomes of removing a wicked ruler, not as abstract moral promises.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king’s house.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 11:10 When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
- Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
- 2 Kings 11:14 And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”
- 2 Chronicles 23:21 and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword.