Athaliah's Reign: Breaking God's Laws

Athaliah, whose name means God is exalted or dealt violently with by God, was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel. Athaliah was married to Jehoram, the king of Judah, to seal a treaty between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Athaliah was an avid zealot of Baal and was responsible for introducing the worship of the Phoenician deity into Judah. She was also responsible for the massacre of the royal house of Judah, including her own grandchildren, in a bid to seize the throne. Athaliah's actions directly contravened God's laws, and she was ultimately killed by the captains of the Temple for her crimes.

Athaliah's promotion of Baal worship

Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, and she was the only female monarch to sit on David's throne in biblical history. She was queen consort of Judah as the wife of King Jehoram, a descendant of King David, and later queen regnant from 841 to 835 BCE.

Athaliah was an avid Baal zealot and, as queen, she used her influence to establish and promote Baal worship in Judah. She installed priests and built altars for Baal in the very temple of the Lord, following in the footsteps of her mother, Jezebel. Athaliah's sponsorship of Baal worship was vigorous and deeply rooted in her identity as a northern Israelite princess.

The worship of Baal, or the "weather-god", was inextricably linked to the economy and ecology of the land, as the regularity and adequacy of rainfall were essential for a successful harvest. The basis of the Baal cult was the utter dependence of life on rainfall, which was regarded as Baal's bounty. Athaliah's promotion of Baal worship included the installation of priests and the construction of altars and temples dedicated to Baal.

The Bible presents Athaliah as a foreigner who illegitimately seized the throne, and her reign is characterised as a brief interruption that threatened Judah and was ended by a priestly-sanctioned coup. While the text focuses on the conspiracy against her and the restoration of order, it does not provide details about events during her rule. However, Athaliah's influence over her husband and son was described as evil, and she was considered to have counselled her son in his devilish schemes.

After her six-year reign, Athaliah was killed on the orders of the high priest Jehoiada, who led the revolt. Her death brought an end to her promotion of Baal worship in Judah, as the young King Joash, under the direction of Jehoiada, tore down the temple of Baal, smashed the altars and images, and killed the priest of Baal.

Athaliah's killing of her grandchildren

Athaliah, the only female monarch in the history of Judah, seized the throne after hearing of the death of her son, King Ahaziah. In doing so, she ordered the murder of her grandchildren, as well as Ahaziah's sons and his relatives, and possibly, Jehoram's children from his other wife. Athaliah's motive for the killings was to prevent any claimants to the throne and consolidate her power.

The Bible describes how Athaliah "proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs", with the exception of one grandchild. Jehoash, the infant son of Ahaziah, was rescued by his aunt, Jehosheba, who was the wife of the high priest Jehoiada. Jehoash was smuggled out of the castle and hidden in the temple for six years, until he was crowned king at the age of seven.

Athaliah's killing of Ahaziah's sons

Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel. She was queen consort of Judah as the wife of King Jehoram, a descendant of King David, and later queen regnant c. 841–835 BCE. Athaliah was an avid Baal zealot and was considered wicked, following in the footsteps of her mother, Jezebel.

Upon hearing of the death of her son, King Ahaziah, who was killed by Jehu, a commander in King Ahab's army, Athaliah seized the throne of Judah and killed all possible claimants to the throne. This included Ahaziah's sons and his relatives and possibly Jehoram's children from his other wife. Athaliah's motive for the killings is believed to be either to prevent David's descendants from outliving her kin, or divine judgement against Jehoshaphat's decision to marry his son to Athaliah.

Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister, managed to rescue one of the infants, Jehoash, Ahaziah's son, and hid him in a bedroom with his nurse, so he was not killed. Jehoash was then smuggled out of the castle and taken to the temple, where he remained hidden for six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.

Athaliah's killing of Jehoram's children

Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, was the wife of Jehoram, the king of Judah. After Jehoram's death, their son, Ahaziah, became king of Judah, and Athaliah became queen mother.

Ahaziah and Joram of Israel were later killed by Jehu, a general in Joram’s army. Upon hearing of her son's death, Athaliah seized the throne of Judah and killed all possible claimants to the throne, including Ahaziah's sons and his relatives, and possibly, Jehoram's children from his other wife. Athaliah's motive for the killings was to prevent David's descendants from outliving her kin, most of whom had already been killed by Jehu. Athaliah's actions were also believed to be divine judgment against Jehoshaphat's decision to marry his son to Athaliah.

Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister, managed to rescue her infant son, Jehoash, from the purge. Jehoash was raised in secret by Jehosheba's husband, the priest Jehoiada.

Athaliah's killing of Joash's siblings

Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, was the wife of King Jehoram of Judah. After Jehoram's death, their son, Ahaziah, became king. However, he was assassinated after a short reign, leaving no immediate royal family member to take the throne.

Upon hearing of her son's death, Athaliah seized the opportunity to ascend to the throne herself. She did so by killing all possible claimants to the throne, including Ahaziah's sons and his relatives, and possibly, Jehoram's children from another wife. Athaliah's murderous spree was an attempt to prevent David's descendants from outliving her kin, most of whom had already been killed by Jehu, the general who had assassinated Ahaziah.

Athaliah's killing of her grandchildren was not entirely successful. Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister, managed to rescue one infant, Jehoash, the son of Ahaziah and his wife, Zibiah. Jehoash was raised in secret by Jehosheba's husband, the priest Jehoiada.

After six years, Jehoiada led a revolt against Athaliah. He had Joash proclaimed king and, under his orders, Athaliah was killed by the captains outside the Temple.

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