Just like her mother Jezebel, Athaliah was a devout follower of Baal. When she moved to Jerusalem, she brought the worship of Baal with her, exerting a corrupting influence over her husband and later her son, Ahaziah.

2. The Bloody Rise to Power

In a chaotic turn of events, Athaliah’s son, King Ahaziah, was killed by Jehu during a purge of Ahab’s descendants. Upon hearing that her son was dead, Athaliah did something unthinkable:

• The Massacre: To secure total control, she ordered the execution of the entire royal family of Judah—her own children and grandchildren—to eliminate any heirs to the throne of David.
• The Usurpation: With the royal line seemingly wiped out, Athaliah seized the throne and ruled Judah as Queen for six years.

3. The Hidden Prince

Unbeknownst to Athaliah, her plan had a single, fatal flaw. Her sister-in-law, Jehosheba, had managed to sneak into the palace during the massacre and rescue an infant prince named Joash.

Jehosheba and her husband, the High Priest Jehoiada, hid the baby in the Temple of the Lord. For six years, Joash remained in secret while the wicked Queen ruled the land.

4. The Downfall and “Treason!”

In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada decided it was time to act. He gathered the palace guards and military commanders, made them swear an oath of loyalty, and revealed the young Joash to them.

• The Coronation: They brought the seven-year-old Joash out to the temple pillar, placed a crown on his head, and shouted, “Long live the king!”
• The Confrontation: Athaliah heard the noise and rushed to the Temple. Seeing the young king standing by the pillar, she tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”

Jehoiada ordered the guards to seize her. Because he did not want her blood spilled in the holy Temple, they dragged her to the “Horse Gate” of the palace and executed her there.

The Significance of Athaliah

• The Threatened Lineage: Her attempt to kill the royal family was seen as an attack on God’s promise that a descendant of David would always sit on the throne.
• Spiritual Warfare: Her reign represented the peak of Baal worship in the southern kingdom. Her death was followed by the destruction of the temple of Baal.
• A Warning on Counsel: The Bible specifically notes that she was her son’s counselor “to do wickedly,” highlighting her role as a villainous influence.

The story of Athaliah is often used to illustrate that no matter how powerful a tyrant may seem, they cannot thwart the ultimate plans of God.