Who was Athaliah in the old testament?
2 Kings 11:1 - 21
ESV - 1 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death.
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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)
Shirley H.
Supporter
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.
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