דברי הימים ב, פרק כ״ג, פסוק י״ד

Jehoiada the priest issues careful instructions to his army commanders regarding the execution of Athaliah, balancing strict military security with a deep respect for the holiness of the House of God. He orders the officers to remove her from the sacred grounds. She is to be escorted through a specific location, understood either as a corridor connecting the royal palace to the House of God [רש״י], or as a designated seating area for officials [רד״ק].

The route is heavily secured, structured like arranged military ranks [מצודת ציון]. The commanders are instructed to march her strictly between these rows of guards, ensuring she has no opportunity to escape [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. To guarantee the success of the operation and prevent her from rallying supporters as she is led toward the city [רש״י], Jehoiada issues a severe warning. He declares that anyone who attempts to follow, assist, or join her is to be put to death immediately.

This complex, heavily guarded escort is driven by a critical religious concern. Jehoiada explicitly insists that she must not be killed on the spot. Forcing her out through the ranks of guards is entirely necessary to avoid defiling the holy complex with an execution [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].