Original Research
Athaliah, a treacherous queen: A careful analysis of her story in 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21
R.G. Branch
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi; Vol 38, No 4 (2004), 537-560. doi: 10.4102/ids.v38i4.448
Submitted: 01 August 2004
Published: 01 August 2004
Abstract
This article presents a critical look at the story of the reign of Athaliah, the only ruling queen of Israel or Judah in the biblical text. Double reference in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles shows her story’s importance and significance to the biblical writers. The largely parallel accounts read like a contemporary soap opera, for they contain murder, intrigue, harem politics, religious upheaval, and coup and counter-coup. Her story provides insights on the turbulent political climate of the ninth century BC. However, the purpose of the biblical writers is not to show Athaliah as the epitome of evil or that all women in power are evil.
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Author affiliations
R.G. Branch, School of Biblical Sciences & Bible Languages, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, South Africa Metrics
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