The Bible is full of stories about powerful kings and queens who ruled over the ancient lands of Israel and Judah. Some of these rulers were remembered for their wisdom and virtue, while others were notorious for their wickedness and cruelty. One of the most infamous queens in the Bible was Arthaliah, who ruled over Judah for six years during the 9th century BC. Her story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and pride, and serves as a warning to those who seek power at any cost.
The Rise to Power
Arthaliah was the daughter of Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jezebel, his infamous queen. Jezebel was a worshipper of the pagan god Baal, and she introduced this religion to the Israelites, despite the fact that it was forbidden by God. Ahab was also a wicked king who disobeyed God and led his people into sin. Arthaliah grew up in this environment of corruption and idolatry, and it is likely that she inherited her parents' love of power and disregard for God's laws.
When Arthaliah was still a young woman, she married Jehoram, the king of Judah. Jehoram was also a wicked king who followed in the footsteps of his father, Jehoshaphat, who had allowed the worship of false gods in Judah. Together, Jehoram and Arthaliah ruled over Judah, and their reign was marked by violence, corruption, and oppression. They murdered their own brothers to eliminate any potential rivals to the throne, and they led the people of Judah into even greater sin and idolatry.
The Usurpation of the Throne
Despite their ruthless tactics, Jehoram and Arthaliah's reign was plagued by rebellion and unrest. In 2 Chronicles 21:8-10, we read that the Edomites revolted against Judah during Jehoram's reign, and that the people of Libnah also rebelled against him "because he had forsaken the Lord, the God of his fathers." In the midst of this chaos, Jehoram fell ill and was unable to rule. Arthaliah saw this as an opportunity to seize power for herself.
In 2 Chronicles 22:10, we read that "when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah." Ahaziah was Arthaliah's son, who had briefly ruled over Judah before being killed in battle. Arthaliah was now determined to maintain her grip on power, and she ordered the execution of all of her own grandchildren, who were the rightful heirs to the throne. Only one of her grandsons, Joash, was spared, thanks to the bravery of his aunt Jehosheba, who hid him in the temple for six years.
The Fall from Power
Despite her efforts to consolidate her power, Arthaliah's reign was short-lived. In 2 Chronicles 23, we read that the priest Jehoiada organized a rebellion against her, and that he crowned Joash as the rightful king of Judah. The people of Judah rallied around Joash, and they marched into the temple to confront Arthaliah. In 2 Kings 11:14, we read that "she looked out from a window and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the officers and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets; and she tore her clothes and cried, 'Treason! Treason!'"
Arthaliah's protestations were in vain, and she was promptly arrested and executed. Her reign of terror had come to an end, and Joash began his own reign as king of Judah.
Lessons from Arthaliah's Story
Arthaliah's story is a sobering reminder of the dangers of ambition and pride. She was willing to do whatever it took to maintain her grip on power, including killing her own family members. Her actions were driven by a desire for personal glory and control, rather than a desire to serve God and the people of Judah.
Arthaliah's story also highlights the importance of obedience to God's laws. Both Arthaliah and her husband Jehoram disobeyed God's commands and led their people into sin and idolatry. They placed their own desires above the will of God, and their reign was marked by violence, corruption, and oppression.
Finally, Arthaliah's story demonstrates the importance of bravery and righteousness in the face of evil. Jehosheba, Joash's aunt, risked her own life to save her nephew and preserve the line of David. Jehoiada, the priest who organized the rebellion against Arthaliah, acted out of a desire to restore justice and righteousness to Judah. These figures provide a stark contrast to Arthaliah and her wicked ways, and remind us that there is always hope for redemption and renewal, even in the darkest of times.
Conclusion
Arthaliah's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, ambition, and disobedience to God's laws. Her reign over Judah was marked by violence and corruption, and she was willing to do whatever it took to maintain her grip on power. However, her reign was short-lived, and she was ultimately brought down by those who sought to restore justice and righteousness to the land. Her story serves as a reminder that true power comes from serving God and the people, rather than from personal ambition or the desire for control.
About the Creator
Judith
I am a housewife with a passion for writing and a talent for creating interesting articles. With my talent for writing and my passion for sharing, I will sure to become one of your favorite article creators.
Peanuts and Crackerjack
Bottom of the ninth inning. The game is tied with two outs, two strikes and a man on second. I tap the bat on home plate. The rigid vibrations it creates reminds my aching digits that this isn't over. The practice swing only adds to the heft of mental burnout... Man on second, willing to chance it. Pitcher eyes him but doesn't give in to the dangerous bluff. I kick up dust, readying the peculiar stance I've had since the days of little league. The bat lays stiff upon my cramping shoulder. Pain has no reason to be acknowledged; it's a fleeting afterthought. The sun sits passed high noon, but the stadium lights are on anyway. They trick my brain into believing they are the cause of this sweltering heat. Sporadic clouds are motionless, they too, don't want to miss this exhilarating predicament. Anticipating the next pitch, intensifying roars from the crowd rumble the stadium... Behind me, the crafty catcher adjusts his stance and spits to the dry dirt. Behind him, the staunch umpire doesn't flinch or even blink; he knows how important his call will be. The pitcher winds up, his grip tells me its gonna curve. The release is fierce! Beads of sweat from his hair and face disperse in every direction as the force of his might is unfailing. My left leg lifts—an instinctual move that will increase the power of my swing. It's all down to my two, bloodshot eyes. They lock onto the speeding, white dot as it instantly becomes the target I intend to destroy. The swing is late, but I manage a solid tip. The ball is taking a fast bounce toward the pitcher who is recovering from the almighty throw! Man on second leaves in a desperate rush! I fling the bat to the side with a sense of urgency and make a mad sprint to the only destination I have—first base. Three defenders race inward to be the first to retrieve the skidding ball. Man is almost on third! I watch the open glove of my adversary, wondering if I’ve done enough to win this race. I switch my attention to his eyes, looking for a clue, some kind of reaction that tells me the ball is in the air and heading his way. All I see is frustration. The deafening roar of the crowd spikes! Something happens that I can’t see! My opponent abandons his post right as my left stride touches the bag. I waste no time turning my head to see the pitcher laying on his stomach, pounding the mound with an open glove. He misses the opportunity to out me and the ball has quickly bounced past him. Excitement grows! This isn’t over yet... It's become an imperative fight to tag out the runner heading homeward. The catcher falls to his knees in obvious despair as he watches my teammate make the run of his life. He knows it’s going to be close when he sees the shortstop fumble the ball a second too long. I jump up and down with no plans on leaving first base. All my chips are on the speed and agility of the active runner. His cleats dig into the dirt, trailing a dust-filled cyclone from the rapid and strenuous strides. With a thrusting dive and an outstretched arm, he lands on his chest to begin the crucial slide to home plate. The shortstop fires the ball to the catcher! It immediately begins closing the gap! Nail-biting doesn't begin to describe the anxious vibe permeating the stadium. The bench begins to celebrate even before he reaches the plate. Forty thousand cheering fans reach maximum crescendo, filling the air with a glorious sound. Everyone knows how this story will end… My teammate is met by the entire bench as his fingers inch across home plate, instantly followed by the unmistakable motion of the catcher's glove attempting to tag him out—its milliseconds too late. The ump swings his arms outward, officially calling him safe.
By Lamar Wiggins2 days ago in Fiction
My To Be Read List
I have been taking some time away from writing. I haven't forgotten about Vocal, the truth is I just have been too busy pursuing other things to write online and honestly, my little family and I just had a really hard month between the flu and a weird eye infection/cold circulating our house. I'm currently sipping some warm peppermint tea because my throat is sore.
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