at the age of twenty-two, and he ruled in Jerusalem for one year. His mother was Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and granddaughter of King Omri of Israel.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

As soon as King Ahaziah's mother Athaliah learned of her son's murder, she gave orders for all the members of the royal family to be killed.

Only Ahaziah's son Joash escaped. He was about to be killed with the others, but was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's half sister. She took him and his nurse into a bedroom in the Temple and hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not killed.

For six years Jehosheba took care of the boy and kept him hidden in the Temple, while Athaliah ruled as queen.

Queen Athaliah heard the noise being made by the guards and the people, so she hurried to the Temple, where the crowd had gathered.

There she saw the new king standing by the column at the entrance of the Temple, as was the custom. He was surrounded by the officers and the trumpeters, and the people were all shouting joyfully and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes in distress and shouted, “Treason! Treason!”

Jehoiada did not want Athaliah killed in the Temple area, so he ordered the army officers: “Take her out between the rows of guards, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.”

All the people were filled with happiness, and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been killed in the palace.

Jeroham's descendants included Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,

Ahaziah became king at the age of twenty-two, and he ruled in Jerusalem for one year. Ahaziah also followed the example of King Ahab's family, since his mother Athaliah—the daughter of King Ahab and granddaughter of King Omri of Israel—gave him advice that led him into evil.

Queen Athaliah of Judah

As soon as King Ahaziah's mother Athaliah learned of her son's murder, she gave orders for all the members of the royal family of Judah to be killed.

Ahaziah had a half sister, Jehosheba, who was married to a priest named Jehoiada. She secretly rescued one of Ahaziah's sons, Joash, took him away from the other princes who were about to be murdered and hid him and a nurse in a bedroom at the Temple. By keeping him hidden, she saved him from death at the hands of Athaliah.

For six years he remained there in hiding, while Athaliah ruled as queen.

The Revolt against Athaliah

After waiting six years Jehoiada the priest decided that it was time to take action. He made a pact with five army officers: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.

Athaliah heard the people cheering for the king, so she hurried to the Temple, where the crowd had gathered.

Jehoiada did not want Athaliah killed in the Temple area, so he called out the army officers and said, “Take her out between the rows of guards, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.”

All the people were filled with happiness, and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been killed.

( The followers of Athaliah, that corrupt woman, had damaged the Temple and had used many of the sacred objects in the worship of Baal.)

Gershom, of the clan of PhinehasDaniel, of the clan of IthamarHattush son of Shecaniah, of the clan of DavidZechariah, of the clan of Parosh, with 150 men of his clan (there were records of their family lines)Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, of the clan of Pahath Moab, with 200 menShecaniah son of Jahaziel, of the clan of Zattu, with 300 menEbed son of Jonathan, of the clan of Adin, with 50 menJeshaiah son of Athaliah, of the clan of Elam, with 70 menZebadiah son of Michael, of the clan of Shephatiah, with 80 menObadiah son of Jehiel, of the clan of Joab, with 218 menShelomith son of Josiphiah, of the clan of Bani, with 160 menZechariah son of Bebai, of the clan of Bebai, with 28 menJohanan son of Hakkatan, of the clan of Azgad, with 110 menEliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, of the clan of Adonikam, with 60 men (they returned at a later date)Uthai and Zaccur, of the clan of Bigvai, with 70 men