Topical Encyclopedia Athaliah, a prominent yet infamous figure in the biblical narrative, is a significant character in the history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. She is primarily mentioned in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, making her a member of the Omride dynasty, known for its idolatry and opposition to the worship of Yahweh.Marriage and Influence Athaliah was married to Jehoram, the king of Judah, as part of a political alliance between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This marriage brought the influence of Ahab's house into Judah, which had significant religious and political implications. Athaliah's presence in Judah introduced the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity, furthering the syncretism that plagued the nation. Reign and Usurpation Upon the death of her son, King Ahaziah of Judah, Athaliah seized the throne, becoming the only queen to rule Judah independently. Her reign is marked by violence and idolatry. In a ruthless bid to secure her power, Athaliah attempted to exterminate the royal line of David, a direct challenge to God's covenant with David. 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." The Preservation of the Davidic Line Despite Athaliah's efforts, the Davidic line was preserved through the courageous actions of Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister, and her husband Jehoiada, the high priest. They hid Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, in the temple for six years, safeguarding him from Athaliah's murderous intent. This act of faith and bravery ensured the continuation of the Davidic lineage, which was crucial for the fulfillment of God's promises to David. Downfall and Death Athaliah's reign came to an end when Jehoiada orchestrated a coup to restore the rightful heir to the throne. In the seventh year of her rule, Jehoiada revealed Joash to the people and anointed him king. The people of Judah, weary of Athaliah's tyranny and idolatry, supported this move. 2 Kings 11:13-14 describes the moment: "When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD. There she 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." 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 legacy is one of apostasy and bloodshed, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the rejection of God's covenant. Her account underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's promises and the divine protection over the Davidic line, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 11:1-16And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 22:2,3,10-12 Library Ahaziah Jehoiada and Joash The Fall of the House of Ahab Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel Jehoshaphat Exile: Appeals for a Phinehas, and a Jehu: 1554 The Prophet Joel. Knox and Queen Mary, 1561 Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1564-1567 The Antiquities of the Jews Resources Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about women leaders in government? Should a woman be President? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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