She began to destroy the rest of the royal family

February 18, 2013

She began to destroy the rest of the royal family.

2 Kings 11:1, NLT

Queen Athaliah and her parents, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, rank among the most evil nuclear families in the Bible. Athaliah's folks ruled Israel. They established an alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, by giving her in marriage to Prince Jehoram. Athaliah's apple did not fall far from her parents' tree. The Bible tells us that she was an evil influence upon her husband and then upon her son Ahaziah, who assumed the throne after his father's death. The peak of Athaliah's wrongdoing came long after Jehoram's death, when she received word that her son had been killed by Jehu in the same revolt which also saw the deaths of Athaliah's brother Joram, her mother Jezebel, and at least seventy other half brothers and half sisters in Israel. Athaliah's appalling response was to put her own children and grandchildren to death. Not even her own flesh and blood would keep her from complete power. Her daughter Jehosheba's last act was to hide Ahaziah's baby Joash (her nephew) from Athaliah, ensuring one survivor from the line of David. For seven years, Athaliah ruled ruthlessly as the queen mother in Judah. Meanwhile, her grandson Joash was growing up, hidden in the temple. Apparently it was the one place Athaliah avoided. When Joash was still a child, Athaliah was overthrown and killed. Her death marked the end of Ahab and Jezebel’s immediate family. The evil they spawned was a shameful chapter in the story of God's people. They demonstrate that the family structure, which can be the catalyst for great good, can also set in motion unspeakable evil. If we're not cautious, "natural" love and respect for one's family can easily be usurped by equally natural selfish ambition and personal gain. Families are worth guarding! The sins of parents are unfortunately often amplified by their children.