In brief
Athaliah is the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah. When he died, she destroyed all the royal family and reigned six years over the land, which threatened the line of David. His sister Jehosheba saved young Joash and hid him with his nurse in the house of the Lord. In the seventh year, the priest Jehoiada had Joash proclaimed king. Athaliah cried out treason and was put to death. We remember that God keeps his promises and protects the royal line despite the danger.
What does the name Athaliah mean?
Athaliah corresponds to a Hebrew name generally understood as "the Lord is exalted" or "the Lord is sublime", though this meaning remains tentative. The Bible does not explain it, and the name contrasts with Athaliah's conduct, as the daughter of Omri according to 2 Chronicles 22:2.
The story of Athaliah
The mother of Ahaziah and her wicked counsel
2 Chronicles 22:2-4Ahaziah became king of Judah after the death of his older brothers. His mother's name was Athaliah, a daughter of Omri. He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, because his mother gave him wicked counsel. He did what is evil in the eyes of the Lord and died soon after, a victim of the work of Jehu, whom the Lord had anointed.
Athaliah destroys the royal family
2 Kings 11:1Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, seeing that her son was dead, rose up and destroyed all the royal family. She thus seized power in Jerusalem. This violence also struck the line of David, through which God had promised a king to his people. This fact makes the situation especially grave.
Joash saved and hidden
2 Kings 11:2-3Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, the son of Ahaziah, from among the king's sons who were being put to death. She put him with his nurse in the bedroom, away from Athaliah's sight. He remained hidden six years in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
Jehoiada proclaims the young king
2 Kings 11:4-12In the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned the captains of hundreds, made a covenant with them in the house of the Lord and showed them the king's son. He arranged the guard around Joash. Then the priest put the crown and the testimony on him. They made him king, anointed him and said, clapping their hands: Long live the king!
The fall of Athaliah
2 Kings 11:13-18Athaliah heard the noise of the people and came to the house of the Lord. She saw the king standing on the platform, tore her clothes and cried: Treason! Jehoiada ordered that she be taken out without being killed in the temple, and she was put to death. The people then renewed the covenant with the Lord and tore down the house of Baal.
What Athaliah teaches us
- Power seized by violence does not last: Athaliah reigns six years, then everything collapses in a single day.
- God protects his promises, even when they seem threatened: the line of David is preserved by the rescue of Joash.
- A courageous and quiet act, like that of Jehosheba, can change the future of a people.
- The counsel we give influences those who listen to us, as Athaliah did with her son Ahaziah.
- The people's return to the covenant with the Lord involves a clear renunciation of idols.
Key verses
Athaliah sees that her son is dead, rises up and destroys all the royal family. This verse opens the account and shows the gravity of the usurpation.
Joash stays hidden six years with Jehosheba in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah reigns over the land. God preserves the heir in the midst of the threat.
Ahaziah walks in the ways of the house of Ahab, because his mother gives him wicked counsel. The text thus explains Athaliah's influence on the royal house.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Athaliah in the Bible?
Athaliah was the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah and a daughter of Omri. After her son's death, she destroyed the royal family and reigned six years. Joash, saved by Jehosheba, was proclaimed king by the priest Jehoiada, and Athaliah was put to death.
What does the name Athaliah mean?
Athaliah is generally understood as "the Lord is exalted", but this meaning remains tentative. The Bible does not explain it. The contrast is striking with the conduct of Athaliah, who encouraged practices contrary to the Lord and his covenant.
Where can I find the story of Athaliah in the Bible?
The story of Athaliah is found in the second book of Kings, chapter 11. Chapters 22 and 23 of the second book of Chronicles also tell it, with details about Jehoshabeath and the role of the Levites in establishing Joash.