2 Kings 9-11: Homocidal Grandmother

2 Kings 11:1-3
Amplified Bible (AMP)
1 When Athaliah the mother of [King] Ahaziah [of Judah] saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal descendants.

2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, [half] sister of Ahaziah, stole Joash son of Ahaziah from among the king’s sons, who were to be slain, even him and his nurse, and hid them from Athaliah in an inner storeroom for beds; so he was not slain.

3 Joash was with his nurse hidden in the house of the Lord for six years. And Athaliah reigned over the land.


I cannot comprehend an evil so great that it would induce a grandmother to seek out and kill her grandchildren.  I think of the idiom, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."  Athaliah was power hungry, and it corrupted her absolutely.  She wanted to reign as queen no matter what the cost even if that cost was her son's children!

I think about people who are power hungry and wonder what about the root of this unhealthy desire.  These are my thoughts.


Fear seduces people into acting out evil.


Fear can sometimes cause people to act in ways that hurt others, ultimately injuring themselves in the process.  Athaliah lived during a time when the norm was for the reigning monarch to kill all those in line of succession.  

When Athaliah ordered the death of her progeny, could it be that she afraid for her own life?  Was she afraid that the next person to ascend the throne would have her murdered?

Although she did everything she could to protect herself, the thing she feared is the thing that eventually came upon her.



Job 3:25
Amplified Bible (AMP)

For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me.

2 Kings 11:15 & 16

Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of the Lord.” So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.

I have been writing this post for some time now, never seeming to be able to put my thoughts into writing.  Today, I feel it is imperative for myself and others to recognize the temptations of the spirit of fear.  

Fear desires to separate.  

Fear longs to cut off destinies.  

Fear seeks to muzzle into submission.  

Fear is a spirit we cannot tolerate.  It separates.  It muzzles.  It controls.  But it has no power where Peace reigns. 

Reign in us, Prince of Peace!  AMEN!!!