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 t