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2 Chronicles 22-23

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Famous Mothers in the Bible, and each year around Mother’s Day we have been working our way forward through the Bible looking at various mothers and what we can learn from their lives.

Sometimes the mothers serve as positive examples for us to follow. Other times they serve more as warnings to protect us from similar mistakes that could hurt us and our families. Unfortunately, today’s mother falls under the “bad example” category, as we look at Athaliah, the wicked mother. In fact, taking the bad examples all together, Athaliah is easily the worst mother of them all.

Also, as we study Athaliah this morning, I know some mothers here today may be feeling discouraged. We can all feel like bad mothers or fathers at times, but trust me, no matter how badly you or I may have failed as parents this week, you ain’t got nothing on Athaliah. (Read 2 Chronicles 22:2-3 and pray.)

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Back in 2022 I came across probably the most shocking obituary I’ve ever read. I saved it in my files under the name, “Bad Father Obituary.” Let me share some of it with you.

Lawrence H. Pfaff Sr. was born in Belmont, NY, on April 16, 1941. He passed away on June 27, 2022, living a long life, much longer than he deserved. He is survived by his three children, no four. Oops, five children. Well as of 2022 we believe there is one more that we know about, but there could be more.

His love was abundant when it came to himself, but for his children it was limited. From a young age, he was a ladies’ man and an abusive alcoholic, solidifying his commitment to both with the path of destruction he left behind, damaging his adult children, and leaving them broken.

Lawrence, Sr.’s hobbies included abusing his first wife and children…. He possesses no redeeming qualities for his children, including the ones he knew, and the “ones he knew about.”

It will be challenging to miss Lawrence, Sr. because he was narcissistic. He was incapable of love. Lawrence, Sr.’s passing proves that evil does eventually die, and it marks a time of healing, which will allow his children to get the closure they deserve. Lawrence, Sr. can be remembered for being a father to many, and a dad to none. (https://www.jacksonville.com/obituaries/pfla0245589)

No one wants to be remembered as a bad mother or father. But the mother we come to in our study today is remembered mainly for her wickedness and how her wickedness impacted those around her, especially her own family. A person reaps what they sow, and the wicked person sows their own seeds of destruction. So, today we are going to look at the bad influence, the destructive behavior and the tragic end of Athaliah, the wicked mother.

I. Her bad influence (22:1-7)

We begin with her bad influence as a mother on her son. Although, when we talk about her bad influence as a mother, we need to talk about her bad influence as a wife as well. Her husband’s name was Jehoram. Jehoram was a despicable man, largely due to the influence of his wife.

When Jehoram became king, the first thing he did was to kill all his brothers (2 Chron. 21:4). Although he ruled in the southern kingdom of Judah, where some good kings reigned, the Bible says: “He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab” (2 Chron. 21:6).

Short history lesson—Ahab was the son of Omri. Omri was the worst king Israel ever had, until Ahab came long. Ahab was the king who tousled with the prophet Elijah. Ahab married Jezebel, who proceeded to kill the prophets of the Lord. It was under Jezebel’s influence that Ahab began to serve Baal and worship him. The Bible tells us: “Ahab … did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:33).

Ahab was a king of Israel, and Jehoram was a king of Judah, but Jehoram followed in Ahab’s footsteps. Why? Because he married Athaliah, who was the daughter of Ahab. And so, her wicked influence began with her husband even before it spread to her son.

God afflicted Jehoram with a terrible disease, and he died a painful and dishonorable death. The Bible gives him the bad obituary treatment: “Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings” (2 Chron. 21:20).

That brings us to Jehoram’s son, Ahaziah, and Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, who up to this time has only been mentioned as a daughter of Ahab.

   A. Encouraged to do wrong (2-3)
      – Proverbs 13:5; Luke 17:1-3; Romans 1:32

The first thing we learn about Athaliah as a mother is that she encouraged her own son to do wrong. Look at verses 2-3:

Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. (2 Chron. 22:2-3)

We all make mistakes as parents, but I hope the one thing we don’t do is intentionally encourage our children to do wrong. That is just—so wrong!—and yet that is exactly what Athaliah did with her son Ahaziah.

One of the most basic responsibilities we have as parents is to teach our children right from wrong and encourage them to choose what is right over what is wrong. Proverbs 13:5 says: “The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.” The righteous parent hates that which is wrong and steers their child away from it, while the wicked only bring shame and disgrace to their families.

Jesus warned against leading children into evil rather than good. He said: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves” (Luke 17:1-3).

The book of Romans condemns those who: “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:32).

You may not be encouraging your children to do wrong, but are you teaching and encouraging them to do right? That’s the first thing we learn about Athaliah, the wicked mother: she encouraged her own son to do wrong.

   B. Unwise counsel (4-7)
      – Proverbs 4:19, 12:26, 22:6

Secondly, she surrounded her son with unwise counsel. Look at verses 4-7:

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father’s death they became his advisers, to his undoing. He also followed their counsel when he went with Joram son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Aram…. Through Ahaziah’s visit to Joram, God brought about Ahaziah’s downfall. (2 Chron. 22:4-7)

Athaliah surrounded her son with unwise counsel which eventually led to his downfall and death. Our children need guidance and direction in life, and so it is essential that we surround them with wise counsel. This includes bringing them to church, reading the Bible and praying with them, encouraging good friendships, and helping them to be discerning when it comes to the programs they watch, the books they read, the music they listen to and their engagement with social media.

The book of Proverbs is our go-to book in the Bible when it comes to learning wisdom over foolishness. Proverbs 4:19 speaks of the foolishness of the wicked: “But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Proverbs 12:26 speaks of the importance of wise friendships: “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 22:6 encourages parents to raise their children in the wisdom and instruction of the Lord: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Athaliah was a bad influence. She influenced her husband to follow in the ways of Ahab. She encouraged her own son to do wrong. She surrounded her son with unwise counsel which eventually led to his undoing.

II. Her destructive behavior (22:10-12)

Next, our passage shows us Athaliah’s destructive behavior.

   A. Destroyed her own household (10-11)
      – Proverbs 14:1,11

First, she destroyed her own household. Look at verses 10-11:

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. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. (2 Chron. 22:10-11)

When Ahaziah died, Athaliah literally destroyed her own household by murdering all of Ahaziah’s sons who might possibly have succeeded him as king. Now, it is possible that her husband had multiple wives, so these may not have been her own children she was killing. But these were still the sons of her husband and members of her own household. By God’s providence one son, Joash, survived this onslaught. Ahaziah’s sister, Jehosheba, took Joash and hid him in a bedroom with his nurse, and so his life was spared.

Now, once again, Athaliah is an extreme example of wickedness. Most of us do not go around murdering our own children. But there are other ways we can destroy our own household. Proverbs 14:1 says: “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:11 says: “The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.”

When we fail to manage our home well, when we fail to discipline our children, when we fail to guard against wicked influences in the home, we are well on the way to becoming mini-Athaliahs, destroying our own household which God has entrusted to us.

   B. Selfishly put herself first (11-12)
      – Proverbs 28:12

So, why would Athaliah do such a wicked thing? What could possibly have motivated her to murder all these children? Let’s keep reading:

Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. (2 Chron. 22:11-12)

Why did Athaliah kill all the royal sons? Because she wanted to rule the kingdom herself! It was pure selfishness, putting herself before the children of her husband.

Once again, I pray we are not murderers of our own children, but how often do we selfishly put ourselves first? As parents we are called to sacrifice ourselves and our own desires in order to raise our children in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 28:12 says: “When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.” This is exactly what happened with Athaliah. Jehosheba had to hide the young prince Joash from her so that he wouldn’t be murdered along with the rest of his brothers.

This was a second mark of Athaliah the wicked mother. She practiced destructive behavior. She destroyed her own household, and she selfishly put herself first.

III. Her tragic end (23:11-21)

We have looked at how Athaliah was a bad influence. We have seen how she practiced destructive behavior. Finally, our passage shows us Athaliah’s tragic end.

   A. All her plans came to nothing (11-13)
      – Proverbs 10:28, 11:21, 24:19-20

First, we learn that all her plans came to nothing. Jumping head now to 2 Chronicles 23, look at verses 11-13 where Jehoida the priest brings Joash out of hiding and crowns him as king:

Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!” When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and cheering the king, she went to them at the temple of the Lord. She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her robes and shouted, “Treason! Treason!” (2 Chron. 23:11-13)

For six years Jehoida the priest successfully hid and protected young Joash from Athaliah. But when he was seven years old, Jehoida brought Joash out and crowned him as king. They anointed him and shouted, “Long live the king!” The people were ecstatic. They all came running and cheering and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets and singing praises to God.

When Athaliah realizes what is going on, she tears her robes and shouts, “Treason! Treason!” Athaliah had destroyed her own household and selfishly put herself first. She had ruled for six years, but now Joash was crowned the rightful king, and in a moment all her plans came to nothing.

It may not happen right away, but given enough time, this is always the case with the wicked. Proverbs 10:28 says: “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 11:21 says: “Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” Proverbs 24 advises us: “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out” (Prov. 24:19-20).

   B. She died a premature and violent death (14-15)
      – Proverbs 10:6, 10:27, 11:5

So, what finally happened to Athaliah? Tragically, she died a premature and violent death. Look at verses 14-15:

Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “Do not put her to death at the temple of the Lord.” So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death. (2 Chron. 23:14-15)

Athaliah lived a wicked life, and she eventually died a premature and violent death. Sadly, this is all too common with those who choose wickedness over trusting and following God. Proverbs 10:6 says: “Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:27 tells us: “The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” Proverbs 11:5 proclaims: “The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.”

   C. No one missed her (20-21)
      – Proverbs 10:7, 11:10

Athaliah died a premature and violent death. And you know what? No one missed her. Look at verses 20-21 now:

[Jehoida] brought the king down from the temple of the Lord. They went into the palace through the Upper Gate and seated the king on the royal throne, and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet [peaceful], because Athaliah had been slain with the sword. (2 Chron. 23:20-21)

The city was quiet, and the people rejoiced. Why? Because Athaliah was gone, and the land finally had peace. Proverbs 10:7 says: “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” Proverbs 11:10 tells us: “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.” When Athaliah died, no one missed her. Not only that, but they were happy that she was gone!

I once did a funeral service for a man whose wife had just died. He was in exceptionally good spirits at the wake, laughing and joking with everyone. I was a little concerned and went up and asked him if everything was okay. He told me with a big smile on his face, “Pastor, it’s no secret that I did not have a happy marriage.” Folks, it’s not a good thing when people are happier when you’re dead than when you’re alive.

Athaliah lived a wicked life, and she came to a tragic end. All of her plans came to nothing when Jehoida the priest carefully planned and successfully installed Joash as the rightful king over Judah. She died a premature and violent death as she cried out, “Treason!” twice and resisted arrest. And perhaps saddest of all? No one missed her when she was gone.

CONCLUSION: You see, the wicked person sows their own seeds of destruction. And Jehoram and Athaliah were two extremely wicked people. They were both murderers of their own family members, and they both died premature and dishonorable deaths. Jehoram passed away to no one’s regret, and no one missed Athaliah when she died.

We read in Galatians: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Gal. 6:7-8) God is a righteous judge, and the wicked will receive the just punishment for their sin—if not in this life, then certainly in the next.

Why does this all matter? Because the seeds we sow don’t only affect us; they affect our families as well. Whether you choose sin or righteousness in this life can have a ripple effect across the generations. Your choices in this life can have an impact for good or for ill on your children, your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren.

You are writing your own obituary every day. What will it say? Will you leave a legacy of righteousness to the next generation, or a legacy of sin resulting in damage, hurt and pain?

A few months ago, I read the following testimony from someone who had just lost his wife to cancer. He wrote: “Yesterday was the worst day of my life, but the best day ever for my Beloved. I will take that deal 100% of the time. Five years after her cancer journey began, Rhonda stepped into eternity about the time we usually had morning coffee. I grieve. She celebrates. God is wise & good.” (https://twitter.com/chuckkelleyjr/status/1759234972232098202) Now that’s a good testimony! That’s a good legacy.

As we reflect on Athaliah’s life this morning, may we examine our own lives in light of God’s word. May we understand how our choices and actions affect others. There are no perfect parents, so may we learn to trust Jesus and ask his help and forgiveness every day. May we turn our hearts from wickedness and leave a legacy of righteousness that is pleasing to God in every way.

© Ray Fowler

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