Athaliah, a significant yet notorious figure in the history of the Kingdom of Judah, is a character whose actions and legacy are recorded in the Old Testament. She was the daughter of King Ahab of Israel and Queen Jezebel, making her a member of the infamous Omride dynasty known for its idolatry and opposition to the worship of Yahweh. Athaliah's account is primarily found in 2 Kings 8:26-11:20 and 2 Chronicles 22:2-23:21.

Background and Marriage

Athaliah was married to Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, as part of a political alliance between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This marriage brought the influence of Ahab and Jezebel's idolatrous practices into Judah, as Athaliah was a fervent worshiper of Baal. Her marriage to Jehoram produced a son, Ahaziah, who would later become king of Judah.

Reign and Usurpation

After the death of her husband Jehoram and the subsequent death of her son Ahaziah, Athaliah seized the throne of Judah. Her rise to power was marked by violence and treachery, as she ordered the massacre of the royal family to eliminate any threats to her rule. 2 Kings 11:1 states, "When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs."

Athaliah's reign lasted for six years, during which she promoted the worship of Baal in Judah, further corrupting the religious practices of the nation. Her rule is often characterized by the continuation of the idolatrous practices introduced by her parents, Ahab and Jezebel.

Overthrow and Death

Athaliah's tyrannical rule came to an end through the courageous actions of Jehoiada, the high priest. Unknown to Athaliah, one of the royal heirs, Joash, had been hidden away by Jehosheba, the wife of Jehoiada, during the massacre. When Joash was seven years old, Jehoiada orchestrated a coup to overthrow Athaliah and restore the Davidic line to the throne.

2 Kings 11:12-14 describes the moment of Joash's coronation and Athaliah's downfall: "Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, 'Long live the king!' When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people at the house of the LORD. And she looked and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, with the officers and trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, 'Treason! Treason!'"

Athaliah was captured and executed, as recorded in 2 Kings 11:16 : "So they seized her as she reached the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds, and there she was put to death."

Legacy

Athaliah's reign is remembered as a dark period in the history of Judah, marked by idolatry and the near extinction of the Davidic line. Her account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from the worship of the one true God. Despite her efforts to eradicate the royal lineage, God's covenant with David was preserved through the survival and eventual reign of Joash, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises.Athali'ah (17 Occurrences)

2 Kings 8:26
Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 11:1
Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
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2 Kings 11:2
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 that were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bed-chamber; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 11:3
And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years; and Athaliah reigned over the land.
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2 Kings 11:13
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the house of the LORD.
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2 Kings 11:14
And she looked, and, behold, the king stood on the platform, as the manner was, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried: 'Treason, treason.'
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2 Kings 11:20
So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet; and they slew Athaliah with the sword at the king's house.
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1 Chronicles 8:26
And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah;
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2 Chronicles 22:2
Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
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2 Chronicles 22:10
Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.
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2 Chronicles 22:11
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in the bed-chamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest--for she was the sister of Ahaziah--hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.
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2 Chronicles 22:12
And he was with them hid in the house of God six years; and Athaliah reigned over the land.
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2 Chronicles 23:12
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD;
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2 Chronicles 23:13
and she looked, and, behold, the king stood on his platform at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets; the singers also played on instruments of music, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said: 'Treason, treason.'
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 23:21
So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet; and they slew Athaliah with the sword.
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2 Chronicles 24:7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the hallowed things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon the Baalim.
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Ezra 8:7
And of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah; and with him seventy males.
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Athali'ah (17 Occurrences)
Athali'ah. Athaliah, Athali'ah. Athanasian . Multi-Version Concordance
Athali'ah (17 Occurrences). 2 Kings 8:26 Two and twenty years ...
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Athaliah (17 Occurrences)

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Athanasian

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