Keraia
2 Kings 11

2 Kings 11:13

The Death of Athaliah · 2 Kings 11:13–16
Read 2 Kings 11

Translations

Modern
When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD.
Traditional
And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the Lord.
Literal
And Athaliah heard the voice of the runners and of the people, and she came to the people in the house of YHWH.
Latin
Audivit autem Athalia vocem populi currentis: et ingressa ad turbas in templum Domini,

Original

Hebrew
English
When Athaliah heard the noise from the guards and the people, she went out to the people in the house of the LORD.

Notes

2 Kings 11:13–14

  • The pillar might be one of the two that Solomon placed at the temple entrance (1 Kings 7:15–22; 2 Chronicles 23:13). Or the Hebrew word could mean a raised platform built for the occasion so that everyone could see the new king.

  • Athaliah cried out “Treason!” But this was ironic, since she herself had murdered to make herself queen (2 Kings 11:1).

2 Kings 11:1–16

Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and the wife of King Jehoram of Judah (2 Kings 8:18, 26). As queen mother, she had significant influence, but she used it for evil (2 Kings 8:18, 27; 2 Chronicles 22:3–4). Her plans included destroying the rest of the royal family (see 2 Chronicles 22:10).

While Ahab’s family in Samaria was completely destroyed, Athaliah took control in Judah through a massacre similar to Jehu’s slaughter of her family in Samaria.

Parallels

2 Chronicles 23:12–15

People

Athaliah: Queen of Judah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel

Glossary

Ahab (King) Ahaziah Athaliah Family Life and Relations Jehoiada Kerethites Kings, Books of First and Second Temple

Topics

Athaliah: Wife of Jehoram, King of Judah Church: Temple Conspiracy of Jehoiada Joash: (Son of Ahaziah and King of Judah): Anointed King by the Priest, Jehoiada Prophecies Concerning Israel: Athaliah, his Mother, Succeeds Him Religious Zeal: Jehoiada Usurpation of Political Functions by Athaliah Women: Athaliah Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne