But in the seventh year Jehoiada the priest sent for the officers in charge of the royal bodyguard and of the palace guards, and told them to come to the Temple, where he made them agree under oath to what he planned to do. He showed them King Ahaziah's son Joash

The officers obeyed Jehoiada's instructions and brought their men to him---those going off duty on the Sabbath and those going on duty.

He gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple,

Jehoiada gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple.

Jehoiada did not want Athaliah killed in the Temple area, so he called out the army officers and said, "Take her out between the rows of guards, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her."

"Now, mortal man, prophesy. Clap your hands, and the sword will strike again and again. It is a sword that kills, a sword that terrifies and slaughters.

God said to them, "Defile the Temple. Fill its courtyards with corpses. Get to work!" So they began to kill the people in the city.