*Athaliah’s story is told in 2 Kings 8:16-11:20 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-24:7
Who Is Athaliah?
- Daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel
- Married to Jehoram, King of Judah, thereby becoming Queen of Judah
- Devout follower of Baal, just like her parents
- Became the ruler of Judah after her son Ahaziah’s death
Strengths and Accomplishments
- Political Savvy: Knew how to seize and maintain power
- Strong-Willed: Displayed a strong sense of determination and assertiveness
- Queen Regnant: One of the few women in biblical history to rule a kingdom
Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Murder of Royal Family: Killed her own grandchildren and other family members to secure her throne
- Idolatry: Led the people of Judah into the worship of Baal, away from God
- Dictatorial Rule: Her reign was not marked by justice or wisdom but by self-interest and manipulation
Lessons from Her Life
- The Danger of Unchecked Ambition: Athaliah’s desire for power led her to commit heinous acts
- The Consequences of Idolatry: Her idol worship had long-term negative effects on the kingdom of Judah
- The Importance of Righteous Leadership: A leader’s role should be to guide people in a way that is just and righteous, something Athaliah failed to do
Key Verses (NIV)
- 2 Kings 11:1 – “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.”
- 2 Chronicles 22:10 – “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.”
- 2 Chronicles 23:21 – “All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword.”