JD Abshire Supporter

Athaliah was the daughter of king Ahab probably by his wicked wife Jezebel. 2 Chronicles 22:2 calls her the daughter of Omri yet Omri was the father of Ahab. I do not believe there is a discrepancy, extended family are often called sons or daughters. As such, Omri was most likely Athaliah's grandfather.

She was married to Jehoram, king of Judah who according to 2 Chronicles 21:5-6 "Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD."

After Jehoram died his son Ahaziah became king of whom it is recorded "Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly." (2 Chronicles 22:2-3).

Ahaziah reigned for one year and was killed by Jehu (2 kings 9:22-24). Hoping to seat herself on the throne of David, Athaliah caused all males of the royal family to be killed with only Joash escaping. She then usurped the throne for six years.(2 Kings 11:1-3). 

Jehosheba, Joash's aunt had been hiding him all this time. Jehosheba's husband Jehoida was high priest with the resolve to produce Joash as prince and successor to the throne after the seventh year and made arrangements to defend against opposition if necessary. (2 Kings 11:4-12)

Upon being declared king, Athaliah heard the shouts of the people and declared "treason", sealing her own arrest and fate. She was taken outside the temple area and put to death.(2 Kings 11:14-21)

July 08 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H. Supporter prayer warrior

She was the only woman to reign over Judah. She was daughter of Ahab, king of Israel and Jezebel a worshipper of Baal. She was wife of Jehoram, king of Judah.

You will find her story in 2KIngs 8:18, 25-28; 11:1-20 And also in the book of 2Chronicles 22:1-23;21, And 24:7. 

On going to the temple t o see what all the excitement was - she found a new king had been crowned. She was killed leaving temple so her blood would not defile the holy place.

July 08 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Who was Athaliah in the Old Testament?

Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and brought the corrupt influence of her parents' dynasty into Judah when she married Jehoram; after her son Ahaziah's death, she seized the throne by killing the royal heirs. 

As the only woman to rule Judah, Athaliah reshaped the kingdom's political and religious life by promoting Baal worship, elevating loyal officials, and breaking sharply from traditional Davidic governance, which created deep conflict with the priesthood. 

Athaliah's harsh policies alienated powerful factions, allowing the secret preservation of the infant Joash in the Temple to become a quiet but decisive act of resistance. When the priest Jehoiada revealed Joash and led a revolt, Athaliah's fragile authority collapsed, ending her six‑year reign and restoring the Davidic line along with the religious identity Judah feared it had nearly lost.

Summing up the comments:

1: Athaliah's rise to power also reflected the broader instability created by the long conflict between Israel and Judah, as her marriage into Judah was originally meant to secure a political alliance rather than introduce foreign domination. 

2: Athaliah's reign marked one of the rare moments when Judah came under the ideological influence of the northern kingdom, and her reliance on non‑Davidic supporters showed how deeply she distrusted the traditional royal families. 

3: The fact that Athaliah was not removed earlier suggests she maintained tight control over military forces and court officials, using fear and loyalty to sustain her authority. 

4. Athaliah's downfall further illustrates how the Temple priesthood functioned as a counterbalance to royal power, capable of organising a covert resistance network over several years. 

5. Jehoash kept Joash hidden for six years. In the seventh year, Jehoiada secured the support of the Levites, the chiefs of the Carian bodyguard and of the runners, as well as the heads of the paternal houses of Israel. 

6. Jehoash then produced Jehoash, whom they proclaimed as king. Jehoiada next ordered Athaliah taken outside the temple grounds and slain.​

7. Athaliah's execution symbolised not only the end of her rule but also a rejection of the Omride legacy in Judah, reinforcing the belief that the Davidic line was divinely protected even when political circumstances seemed to threaten its extinction.

12 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report