1. The reign of Athaliah Laindon Bible Class – 20th July 2011

2. The plan of our study Who was Athaliah? The events of this period of Israel’s history Thoughts on some spiritual patterns and foreshadowing of what was to come Some lessons for us Athaliah 2

3. Who was Athaliah? (1) Athaliah 3 A mother who murdered her own grandchildren . “…when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 22:10 Queen circa 841-835BC

4. Who was Athaliah? (2) Athaliah 4 Omri King of Israel Ethbaal King of Zidon Jehoshaphat King of Judah The axis of evil Other wives Jezebel Ahab Other wives Ahaziah Joram (Jehoram) Jehoram Athaliah Ahaziah Jehosheba (Jehoshebeath) Jehoiada Joash (Jehoash)

5. The events of this period (1) The opening scene: Jehoshaphat is King of Judah and Ahab King of Israel Jehoshaphat establishes the Law of Yahweh in Judah Ahab marries Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal and establishes Baal worship Jehoshaphat enters into an alliance with Ahab Athaliah 5

6. The events of this period (2) The alliance is cemented by Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram marrying Jezebel’s daughter Athaliah (note 1 Kings 21:25) When Jehoshaphat appoints Jehoram as co-regent, he slays all his brothers and many of the princes (see 2 Chronicles 21:4,6 & also 24:7) After 2 years of a terrible disease, Jehoram dies (see 2 Chronicles 21:19) Athaliah 6

7. The events of this period (3) Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest and only remaining son takes the throne (age 22) Ahaziah reigns for just one year (slain in battle see 2 Chronicles 22:7) Athaliah sees her opportunity to complete the corruption of Judah and kills all the seed royal (bar one) and takes the throne to herself (see 22:10) Athaliah 7

8. The events of this period (4) Jehosheba (Ahaziah’s sister), wife of Jehoiada (High(?) Priest), hides Jehoash (see 2 Chronicles 22:11) Jehoash is raised in secret, whilst Athaliah’s evil & idolatrous reign continues The corruption of Judah is apparently complete Jehoiada secretly gathers and arms the faithful princes Athaliah 8

9. The events of this period (5) Jehoiada enters into a hidden covenant with the princes showing them the son and heir Jehoash Jehoash is crowned in the temple (see 2 Chronicles 23:11) Athaliah hearing the tumult came to the temple and shouted treason Jehoiada commands that she be taken from the temple and slain (see 23:14-15) Athaliah 9

10. Spiritual patterns (1)… The Kingdom of God was established by David and his son Solomon, a man of war and a prince of peace, respectively The Kingdom of God was destroyed at this time by Jezebel and her daughter Athaliah, destroying the priesthood and the royal line respectively (cf Revelation 2:20) Patterns that point to the time of the end Athaliah 10

11. Spiritual patterns (2)… Athaliah 11 The hidden children of the covenant The return of the promised seed The idolatrous woman The age of apostasy Corrupt Christianity The Lord Jesus Christ The Catholic church The faithful saints The Kingdom of God re-established

12. Lessons for us… The dangers of association with the world “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” The need to maintain the purity of the Truth against corrupting influences “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Athaliah 12