Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, the king and queen of Israel during the time of the prophet Elijah. She married Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat who was king of Judah at the time. Athaliah was likely raised as a worshipper of Baal due to the influence of her parents who promoted Baal worship in Israel. She played a significant role in the history of Judah as told in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
After her husband Jehoram died, her son Ahaziah became king of Judah. However, Ahaziah only reigned for one year before being killed. When Ahaziah died, Athaliah seized the opportunity to claim the throne for herself and tried to kill all of Ahaziah’s sons who were in line to be the next king (2 Kings 11:1). Jehosheba, Ahaziah’s sister, managed to hide Ahaziah’s infant son Joash from Athaliah so he could survive (2 Kings 11:2). Athaliah then reigned as queen over Judah for six years promoting the worship of Baal and destroying the temple of God (2 Chronicles 24:7).
In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada the priest coordinated with royal guards to overthrow Athaliah and install the rightful heir Joash on the throne when he was seven years old. Jehoiada revealed that Joash was still alive and had him crowned king in a ceremony at the temple. When Athaliah heard the commotion of the coronation, she went to the temple to investigate and saw that Joash had been made king. She cried out “Treason!” but Jehoiada ordered that she be taken out of the temple grounds and killed for her treachery and usurpation (2 Kings 11:13-16).
So in summary, Athaliah was a queen of Judah who illegally seized power for herself by killing off the royal heirs. She promoted Baal worship and destruction of God’s temple during her reign. But she was overthrown in a revolt after six years so that the rightful heir to the throne, Joash, could become king and restore proper worship of God. Athaliah serves as an example of someone who used deception and violence to gain power illegitimately for their own selfish purposes.
Key Facts About Athaliah
- She was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel
- Married King Jehoram of Judah
- Tried to seize power in Judah by killing all potential heirs
- Ruled Judah for 6 years promoting Baal worship
- Overthrown in revolt led by Jehoiada the priest
- Killed when rightful heir Joash was crowned king at age 7
Athaliah’s Family Background
To understand Athaliah, it’s important to consider her family background. She was born into the royal family of Israel during the reign of her father Ahab and mother Jezebel. This was a time marked by evil and idolatry in Israel as Ahab and Jezebel promoted the worship of Baal instead of the one true God. They were strongly rebuked for their wickedness by prophets like Elijah and Elisha.
Growing up in this environment shaped Athaliah’s worldview and practices. Since her parents actively promoted the worship of Baal and persecuted prophets of God like Elijah, Athaliah was most likely raised as a Baal worshipper herself. The evil influence of Ahab and Jezebel was passed on to her. This background helps explain why she later acted against God’s purposes and promoted Baal worship in Judah.
Marrying into the Royal Line of Judah
Although Athaliah was a princess of Israel, she ended up marrying into the royal line of Judah. This occurred during a time of peace and cooperation between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Her husband was Jehoram, the son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Jehoram had become king of Judah in a co-regency with his father Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 8:16).
By marrying into the royal family of Judah, Athaliah gained opportunity to influence them with the worship of Baal that she had been raised with. This proved disastrous, as after Jehoshaphat died, Jehoram was sole king of Judah and it says he “walked in the way of the kings of Israel” and “made Judah act sinfully” (2 Chronicles 21:6, 11). With his wife Athaliah as queen alongside him, Jehoram introduced new depths of evil and idolatry to Judah.
Her Son Ahaziah Becomes King
After Jehoram died, his son Ahaziah became king of Judah. Scripture describes Ahaziah as wicked like Ahab’s family since his mother was Athaliah (2 Kings 8:27). Ahaziah only reigned for one year before being killed during a visit to Israel. But his brief reign continued the pattern of unfaithfulness and Baal worship in Judah (2 Chronicles 22:3-4).
So when Ahaziah died, the royal line of Judah had been corrupted by the inclusion of Athaliah and her wicked influence. But Athaliah saw the death of Ahaziah as an opportunity to seize total power for herself. Since she had no sons left to be king, she took drastic measures to remove all possible heirs.
Athaliah Seizes Power in Judah
After Ahaziah was killed, the Bible records Athaliah’s shocking actions to usurp control of Judah for herself:
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family of the house of Judah… But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death. And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah reigned over the land. (2 Kings 11:1-3)
Rather than allow a rightful heir to ascend to the throne, Athaliah took advantage of the situation and killed off anyone who could challenge her rule. But fortunately her grandson Joash was rescued and hidden in the temple for six years while she reigned as queen over Judah.
Athaliah demonstrated her ruthlessness and wickedness by slaughtering her own grandchildren to secure power for herself. She proceeded to continue promoting the worship of Baal in Judah as queen:
Then he brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!” When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she went into the house of the Lord to the people. And when she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. (2 Kings 11:12-14a)
Athaliah’s Downfall and Death
Athaliah’s reign over Judah lasted only six years. In that seventh year, the priest Jehoiada staged a revolt to overthrow Athaliah and crown the rightful king Joash. When the young Joash was revealed at the temple and anointed as king, Athaliah cried out “Treason!” but it was too late (2 Kings 11:14). Her wicked grasp on power was broken as Jehoiada ordered her death:
Then Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains who were set over the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to death with the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest said, “Do not put her to death in the house of the Lord.” So they laid hands on her; and she went through the horses’ entrance to the king’s house, and there she was put to death. (2 Kings 11:15-16)
So after six long years of promoting evil and idolatry in Judah, Athaliah’s life came to an end. Her treasuries and possessions were plundered by the people as well (2 Chronicles 23:20-21). In the end, her grab for power was only temporary before justice was served.
The Impact and Legacy of Athaliah
Although Athaliah’s reign lasted only six years, she left a significant impact and legacy in Judah. Here are some key ways that Athaliah influenced Judah during her life:
- Introduced more Baal worship and idolatry – Being raised in Israel under Ahab and Jezebel, she brought these same evil practices to Judah as queen.
- Corrupted the royal line – Her marriage to Jehoram negatively influenced the kings of Judah to follow evil ways.
- Tried to wipe out Davidic dynasty – By killing all heirs, she attempted to end the messianic lineage.
- Temple of God ruined – She used temple treasures to fund Baal worship sites (2 Chron. 24:7)
- Caused political turmoil and division – Her illegal seizure of power created upheaval in Judah.
The reign of Athaliah was an especially dark time for Judah as evil ruled over good. When she was finally overthrown, there was much work for the young King Joash to do in repairing the damage she had caused. But just as Athaliah failed to fully stamp out the light of the Davidic kings, the darkness and evil she promoted would not prevail in Judah. Her legacy serves as a stark reminder of the destruction caused when ruthless and ungodly rulers ascend to power.
Lessons Christians Can Learn from Athaliah
Although Athaliah was an evil queen who defied God’s ways, some lessons emerge from her life that remain relevant for Christians today:
- Guard your heart – Don’t let sin take root, as it did in Athaliah’s early life.
- Parents influence children – Her life illustrates the need for godly parenting and instruction.
- Beware leaders who promote false gods – Athaliah showed she served Baal, not God.
- Pride comes before the fall – Her arrogance blinded her to the limits of her reign.
- Good ultimately triumphs – Despite her efforts, God preserved the Davidic line.
- God is just – Athaliah’s death showed no one is above divine justice.
For Christians seeking to live faithful lives, Athaliah provides a case study in almost everything not to do. But God’s purposes prevailed despite her evil actions. Her negative example spurs believers on to instead emulate righteous leaders who point people to God, not false idols.
Athaliah in Biblical Prophecy
Beyond her activities recorded in Kings and Chronicles during her 6-year reign, Athaliah appears in a prophetic Psalm of David that looks forward to the future Messiah. Psalm 89 recounts God’s covenant with David and his descendants. In verse 39, it refers to a time when God would become angry with this royal line:
You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust. (Psalm 89:39)
This likely connects prophetically to the time of Athaliah seizing power in Judah and suppressing the Davidic dynasty. But God vows to restore this covenant line that she tried to wipe out:
Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. (Psalm 89:35-36)
Despite Athaliah’s efforts, the promises of God prevailed. Jesus the Messiah would later descend from the royal line that she attempted to destroy. So in the midst of judgment, God remained faithful to His covenant with David.
Where to Read About Athaliah in the Bible
If you want to read the biblical accounts of Athaliah’s life and reign, here are the key passages that mention her:
- 2 Kings 8:16-18, 26-27 – Athaliah introduced as wife of Jehoram
- 2 Kings 11:1-16 – Athaliah seizes power and is overthrown
- 2 Chronicles 21:5-7 – Mentioned as wicked queen of Judah
- 2 Chronicles 22:10 – 23:21 – Details her coup and demise as queen
- 2 Chronicles 24:7 – Repaired temple she ruined
In addition, Psalm 89:30-45 gives a prophetic perspective connecting to her suppression of the Davidic dynasty for a time. The strong conclusion across these accounts is that Athaliah was an ungodly queen who brought more evil and destruction to Judah in defiance of God’s purposes. But she serves as an example that no ruler stands above God’s divine justice and plan.
Conclusion
In review, Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel who married into the royal line of Judah and influenced it toward more evil. After her son Ahaziah died, she tried to wipe out all possible heirs and seized the throne for herself. Athaliah ruled Judah for six years promoting Baal worship before she was overthrown and killed when Joash became king. Although her reign caused great damage, God remained faithful to His covenant promises. The life of Athaliah offers many lessons to Christians about the need for righteousness in leadership and guarding against spiritual compromise.