מלכים ב, פרק כ״א, פסוק כ״ד

Following the assassination of the king, the general public takes the law into their own hands to avenge his death [שטיינזלץ]. At first glance, this uprising appears to be a pursuit of justice and a defense of the monarchy. It looks as though the citizens are simply protecting the crown from treason.

Beneath the surface, however, this swift retaliation actually exposes the guilt and wickedness of the nation. The people loved and pitied the king specifically because he was an idol worshiper. Driven by their shared embrace of idolatry, the masses rushed to execute the conspirators who had plotted against him [אברבנאל].

Once the assassins were eliminated, the public took immediate steps to ensure the stability and continuity of the government. They crowned the king's son, Josiah, smoothly following the natural order of royal succession [שטיינזלץ].