We know about the kings of Israel and Judah, but did you know a queen once ruled, too? Athaliah, a princess, married into the line of Judah and ruled after her husband died.
In the Old Testament, the unified Israel broke into two kingdoms after Solomon. Judah retained the line of David, and the kingdom of Israel continued with several different royal families. The books of 1-2 Kings and 1-2 Chronicles detail these leaders’ dramatic and tragic histories.
Growing up, I always heard about these kings. When I read through the Bible on my own, I discovered a queen ruled in Judah. This surprised me since they call the books 1 and 2 Kings, and of course, I grew up in church and never heard about her.
Yet Athaliah’s story is full of betrayal, violence, and hope. A woman is the villain. And a woman is a hero. And in the end, God’s redemptive story survives.
Which King Was Athaliah Married To?
Jehoram, also known as Joram, ascended to the throne of Judah after his father, King Jehoshaphat, died. He ruled as king over the southern kingdom of Judah for eight years. As part of his royal duties, Jehoram married Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel.
The marriage alliance between Jehoram and Athaliah served political purposes. It strengthened diplomatic ties between Judah and Israel. However, it also had significant implications for Judah’s spiritual and moral climate: Athaliah’s parents were notorious for promoting idolatry and leading Israel into spiritual decline. Athaliah’s marriage to the royal family of Judah introduced Baal worship and other pagan rituals, likely contributing to moral corruption.
Despite the marriage’s political advantages, the biblical narrative portrays Jehoram’s reign as characterized by moral decline and divine judgment. 2 Chronicles 21:6 notes that Jehoram “followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.”
Jehoram’s marriage to Athaliah compromised his spiritual integrity and had far-reaching consequences for the kingdom of Judah. Generations later, the kingdom’s moral degradation led to divine judgment from Babylon.
Athaliah’s presence also caused problems following Jehoram’s death. After Jehoram’s demise, his son Ahaziah ascended to the throne of Judah. However, his reign was short-lived.
What Did Athaliah Do After Her Husband Died?
Not long after becoming king over Judah, Ahaziah was killed by Jehu, a commander of Israel’s army (2 Kings 9:27-29). God empowered Jehu to end the reign of Ahab and Jezebel as a judgment against their idolatry and murder. Since Ahaziah had allied with Ahab, his grandfather, in a military campaign, Ahaziah got caught in the violence when Jehu executed Ahab and Jezebel.
As 2 Chronicles 22:10 explains, Athaliah saw an opportunity to seize power for herself. “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah.”
Athaliah ordered the massacre of all the royal descendants, including her grandchildren, to ensure her unchallenged rule over Judah. This action would have also spiritually ended the Davidic line leading to the Messiah, Jesus.
However, one infant grandson, Joash, was rescued by his aunt, Jehosheba. She hid him in the temple of the Lord with the high priest, Jehoiada (2 Kings 11:1-3). Joash’s survival ensured the continuation of the Davidic (and Messianic line). It also catalyzed Athaliah’s eventual downfall.
How Did Athaliah’s Reign Come to an End?
Athaliah’s reign as queen regent of Judah was marked by tyranny and oppression. However, it ended through a divine series of events and righteous individuals restoring the rightful heir to the throne. Her downfall is recorded in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.
Seven years after Athaliah took over as queen regent, Jehoiada initiated a plan to reveal Joash as the rightful heir to the throne. With the support of military commanders and Levites, Jehoiada led a covert operation to gather the captains of the guard and the royal bodyguard to the temple (2 Kings 11:4-8).
In a dramatic moment, Jehoiada presented Joash to the assembled crowd, placed the crown upon his head, and anointed him as king. The people rejoiced and proclaimed, “Long live the king!” (2 Kings 11:9-12).
Hearing the commotion in the temple, Athaliah investigated and witnessed Joash being crowned king. She tore her clothes and cried out, “Treason! Treason!” (2 Kings 11:13-14). However, her cries went unheeded as the people rallied behind Joash.
Jehoiada commanded the guards to take Athalia outside the temple to be executed. Her tyranny came to an abrupt as she was put to death at the horse gate of the royal palace (2 Kings 11:15-16).
While a woman, Athaliah, was the villain of this narrative, another woman proved to be a hero. The whole Messianic line could have been destroyed without Jehosheba saving the young Joash.
What Can We Learn from Athaliah’s Life?
Athaliah’s life serves as a cautionary tale; it also offers insights into the consequences of rejecting God’s authority and pursuing personal ambitions at the expense of righteousness.
- The Dangers of Power and Ambition. Athaliah’s relentless pursuit of power led her to commit heinous acts, including massacring her own family. Her thirst for control blinded her to her actions’ consequences, resulting in her downfall. We are reminded to guard against the temptations of power and ambition: unchecked desires for authority can lead to moral compromise and spiritual ruin (1 Timothy 6:10; Proverbs 16:18).
- The Consequences of Idolatry. Athaliah’s reign was marked by her re-introducing idolatry into the kingdom of Judah. Her disregard for the worship of the one true God led to spiritual decline. We are warned against the dangers of idolatry, recognizing that such practices separate us from God’s presence and invite his righteous judgment (Exodus 20:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:14). Further, we should remember we can make idols out of anything not God.
- The Importance of Righteous Leadership. Athaliah’s oppressive rule starkly contrasts the righteous leadership exemplified by King David and other godly rulers. We also see righteous leadership in Jehoiada, the high priest who saved the Messianic line. We are called to pray for and support leaders who govern with integrity, wisdom, and a commitment to God’s principles. Righteous leadership promotes justice, peace, and prosperity (Proverbs 29:2; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
- Spiritual Attack on God’s Plan. Athaliah came from a family of murderers and idolaters. While God could have redeemed her, she sought to continue those practices. The enemy used Athaliah’s rebellion against God as an attempt to destroy the lineage of David and God’s redemptive plan through Jesus. We should remember we are in a spiritual war and have an enemy who uses the powers of this world to usurp the Kingdom of God. Through prayer, we wrestle against darkness through the strength of Christ.
- The Role of Divine Providence. Despite the Devil and Athaliah’s attempts to maintain her grip on power, her reign ultimately ended through God’s providential workings. His sovereign purposes prevailed as Joash was revealed and crowned king of Judah. As we fight in prayer for God’s redemptive plan, we are reminded of the Father’s faithfulness and sovereignty over human affairs, trusting that his purposes will ultimately prevail even amid adversity (Romans 8:28; Proverbs 21:1).
- The Importance of Faithfulness to God. Athaliah’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Her disregard for Yahweh and her embrace of idolatry brought divine judgment upon the kingdom of Judah. It’s not enough to cease idolatry. We need a better way, and God gives us this through Christ. We must remain faithful to God and his word, living lives characterized by obedience, righteousness, and devotion to him (Deuteronomy 6:5; Micah 6:8).
Let us take the story of Athaliah as a warning and a lesson. First, we must guard our hearts against the temptations to build our own kingdoms. We should humble our hearts and submit to God’s will to experience the good he has planned for us. Second, let’s be aware of the spiritual battle to resist the Kingdom of God and the Father’s sure promise his plan will prevail.
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This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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