The Bible records only one woman who ruled as queen in Israel or Judah, Athaliah. Athaliah was either the daughter or granddaughter of King Omri of Israel; the biblical text is not clear. She was either King Ahab’s daughter or his sister. She married King Jehoram of Judah, as part of an arranged alliance between the two kingdoms. King Jehoram secured his throne by killing any who might oppose his reign. 2 Chronicles 21:4 tells us “When Jehoram had acceded to his father’s kingdom and was firmly in power, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel.” God punished Jehoram, since, in 2 Chronicles 21:24, he died painfully when his bowels fell out.
So much for Athaliah’s husband. Unfortunately Athaliah also is not a good example for kings or presidents. Perhaps we can blame her dysfunctional family or an unhappy childhood. Athaliah is associated with bloodshed and adultery. When her son Ahaziah died after a brief reign she began to kill off the whole royal family. The rest of the story reads like a fairy tale: But Jehosheba, daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash, Ahaziah’s son, and spirited him away, along with his nurse, from the bedroom where the princes were about to be slain. He was concealed from Athaliah, and so he did not die. For six years he remained hidden with her in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah ruled as queen over the land” (2 Kings 11:2-3).
Athaliah reigned as queen for six years. She would have had to be a woman of intelligence, strength, and cunning, with the political and military skills needed to survive on the throne for that long. Despite her ability, 2 Chron. 24:7 records: “the wicked Athaliah and her sons had damaged the house of God and had even turned over to the Baals the holy things of the Lord’s house.” Baal refers to Semitic nature and fertility gods. Athaliah and her family promoted idol worship.
Joash, in the meantime, was hidden by the priest Jehoiadah in the Temple, possibly in the chambers behind the Holy of Holies, where none could enter except the High Priest. Jehoiadah conspired against her and, guarded by troops, had Joash declared king in Athaliah’s place.
When she saw the king standing by the column, as was the custom, and the captains and trumpeters near the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, Athaliah tore her garments and cried out, “Treason, treason!” Then Jehoiada the priest instructed the captains in command of the force: “Escort her with a guard detail. If anyone follows her, let him die by the sword.” For the priest had said, “She must not die in the house of the Lord.” So they seized her, and when she reached the Horse Gate of the king’s house, she was put to death. (2 Kings 11:14-16)
Joash may have been only seven when he ascended to the throne. While Jehoiadah was alive, Joash remained under his influence. The Temple was repaired and the Law observed. But after Jehoiada’s death, Joash went his own way: “They abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and began to serve the asherahs and the idols; and because of this crime of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem” (2 Chron. 24:18).
All this proves that women can rule as well as men can. They can also be equally wicked.
Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.