(15) The captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host.--The centurions of the royal guard are called "the officers of the host" (comp. Numbers 31:14) to signify that it was they who gave effect to the high priest's orders by communicating them to their troops.

Have her forth without the ranges.--Rather, Cause her to go out between the ranks--i.e., escort her out of the sacred precincts with a guard on both sides.

Him that followeth her--i.e., whoever shows any sympathy with her, or attempts to take her part. There might have been some of her partisans in the large gathering in the Temple court.

For the priest had said.--This is a parenthetic statement accounting for the order just given; and "had said" may mean "thought."

Verse 15. - 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.

11:13-16 Athaliah hastened her own destruction. She herself was the greatest traitor, and yet was first and loudest in crying, Treason, treason! The most guilty are commonly the most forward to reproach others.But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host,.... Of the priests and Levites:

and said unto them, have her forth without the ranges; the ranks of the guards, which were at the gate leading to the palace, or rather "within" them (g); the meaning is, that he ordered her to be had out of the court of the temple, and be put within their ranks, and enclosed by them, that her blood might not be shed in the temple, and yet not escape them:

and him that followeth her, kill with the sword: that takes her part, and offers to help and assist her, passing through the ranks after her, dispatch him at once:

for the priest had said, let her not be slain in the house of the Lord: that it might not be defiled with her blood; by which it appears that the guards had orders concerning her before, should she come to the temple, see 2 Kings 11:13.

(g) "intra ordines", Munster, Junius, Tremellius, Piscator, Noldius, p. 79. No. 365. So Jarchi, Kimchi, Ben Gersom, & Ben Melech.