| Athaliah Smith's Bible Dictionary
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| Athali'ah.
(afflicted of the Lord). Daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, married
Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah and introduced into that
kingdom, the worship of Baal. (B.C. 891). After the great revolution by
which Jehu seated himself on the throne of Samaria, she killed all the
members of the royal family of Judah who had escaped his sword.
2Ki_11:1. From the slaughter, one infant, named Joash, the youngest son of Ahaziah, was rescued by his aunt, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada, 2Ch_23:11, the high priest. 2Ch_24:6. The child was brought up under Jehoiada's care, and concealed in the Temple for six years, during which period, Athaliah reigned over Judah. At length, Jehoiada thought it time to produce the lawful king to the people, trusting to their zeal for the worship of God and their loyalty to the house of David. His plan was successful, and Athaliah was put to death.
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| Taken from: Smith's Bible Dictionary by Dr. William Smith (1884) | |