Episode 140: Inspired by the Book of 2 Kings & 2 Chronicles

Athaliah

Jehoshaphat, in an attempt to broker peace between him and Israel, betrothed his son Joram to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah. But because the wicked and idolatrous nature of her parents was in her, both Jehoram and the nation of Judah would be led astray. And as he, his kingdom, and his sons passed away; his wife Athaliah plotted. Determined to stay in power, she killed all of her grandchildren so that the line of David could not stand in her way. But God would not let her evil stand in the way of His promise. Jehosheba, Athaliah’s daughter, hid away one of Ahaziah’s sons in the temple to be raised by the priests and taken care of until he could become king!

2 Chronicles 22:10

In the previous episode, we learned how Jehu cleansed Israel of Ahab’s family and those who had carried on his evil and idolatrous legacy. Though Jehu did great things for the Lord, he failed to hold fast to God all his days, and as a result, failed to fully witness God’s glory in his lifetime. Today we’ll look at Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, whose marriage to Jehoram, the king of Judah, had disastrous consequences on the southern kingdom, leading Judah into idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.