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Athaliah (Hebrew Atalyahu (עתליה), "God is exalted") was the queen of Judah during the reign of King Jehoram, and later became sole ruler of Judah for five years. William F. Albright has dated her reign to 842 BC – 837 BC, while E. R. Thiele offers the dates 841 BC – 835 BC. Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel; her marriage to Jehoram sealed a treaty between Israel and Judah. The story of her actions is told in 2 Kings 8:25 – 11:16 in the Hebrew Bible.

Jehoram, a descendant of King David, actively promoted the worship of Yahweh in his country, but he tolerated Athaliah's worship of Baal. After Jehoram's death, their son Ahaziah became Judah's king with Athaliah acting as queen mother. She used her power in that role to establish the worship of Baal in Judah after Ahaziah was killed in a state visit to Israel along with the then-king of Israel, also named Jehoram, who was Athaliah's brother. Jehu assassinated them both in Yahweh's name and had Athaliah's entire extended family in Israel murdered.

Athaliah, as queen of Judah, had all possible successors to David executed except one. However, a grandson of hers named Jehoash escaped the purge and was raised in secret by the priest Jehoiada. Six years later, Athaliah was surprised when Jehoiada revealed Jehoash and proclaimed him king of Judah. She rushed to stop this rebellion, but was captured and executed.

Modern retelling

In 2006, acclaimed biblical novelist Ginger Garrett released a novel about the struggle between Jehoshebeth and Athaliah called "Dark Hour."

• Kings of ancient Judah