The Queenmothers

*image originated here

2 Kings 11 – 15

I noticed an interesting pattern as I read today before 2 Kings tells us what kind of ruler each king was, it mentions their mother and sometimes how her actions changed the fate of the nation. So we too are going to take a closer look at these Queenmothers.

Queen Athaliah

When she realized her son, King Ahaziah, was dead she began to destroy the royal family. Princess Jehosheba, Ahaziah’s sister, saved his son Joash by hiding him with his nurse at the temple of the LORD. Queen Athaliah reigned for 6 years, then in the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest gathers the King’s guards who had brought him to the temple and makes a covenant with them. They anoint Joash King and the people rejoice. When Athaliah hears of it, she cries out against them that they have committed treason. As she comes to the temple the guards come out and kill her because Jehoiada told them she must not be killed in the temple.

Queen Zibiah

Joash became king at 7 years old, his mother’s name was Zibiah. Under his reign the temple of Baal was torn down, its priests killed, and its altars and idols were destroyed. He did right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him, but the high places were not removed and the people continued to sacrifice there. He also dedicated time and resources to provide for the repairment of the temple of the LORD. When the King of Aram rose up against Judah, Joash to all the treasure left in Jerusalem to pay the king to leave them in peace. He reigned for 40 years then was assassinated by two of his officials and buried with his fathers in the City of David.

The Kings of Israel

The next two kings’ mothers are not mentioned, but the kings do great evil in the eyes of the LORD and are kept under the hands of their enemies because of their sin. King Jehoaz recognized his sin and begged God for deliverance, which God gave. However, Jehoaz did not turn from his sin and God brought destruction on him. His son Jehoash continues in this but also turns to God when Elisha dies and the people are need of deliverance from the Moabites. The Israelites only defeat Judah 3 times because of the king’s partial obedience to Elisha’s commands.

Queen Jehoaddin

This Queen was from Jerusalem and her son was King Amaziah.

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high place, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

2 Kings 14:3-4

He also executed the men who murdered his father, in accordance with the Law of Moses the king did not punish their sons. He conquered 10,000 Edomites and challenged King Jehoash of Israel to come and fight him. Jehoash won that battle going to Jerusalem and breaking down part of the city wall. The King of Israel carried off all the gold and silver he could find, then took some hostages and returned to Samaria. King Amaziah was killed by men who conspired against him and buried with his father in the City of David.

Jeroboam II

This man was the next King of Israel after Jehoash, his mother is not mentioned. He does great evil in the eyes of the LORD just like the first Jeroboam. However, God does allow him to restore the borders of Israel.

Queen  Jecoliah

This Queen’s son was King Azariah of Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD just as his father had done. Yet the high places remained intact and the people still did evil by sacrificing there. So the King was afflicted with leprosy and lifted in a separate house until the day he died.

The Broken line of Kings

The Kings of Israel continued to do evil and their sons succeeded them no more. The men who killed the king took his place. King Zechariah, King Shallum, King Menahem, King Pekahiah, and King Pekah all ruled in this way. None of their mothers are mentioned.

Queen Jerusha

King Uzziah had reigned and his son Jotham succeeds him. This King also does right in the eyes of the LORD but does not tear down the high places and the people continue to sin. He also rebuilds the wall section of Jerusalem that was destroyed.

The pattern here was astounding to me, all the Kings who followed God’s commands had mother’s whose names were honored alongside theirs. All the Kings who did evil in the eyes of the LORD were without a mother’s honor beside them. Yes, it was also only the Kings of Judah as well who were following God with honored mothers. However, the next King we will look at tomorrow is of Judah and his mother is not honored. You can draw whatever conclusion you like there since it is not clearly stated but I firmly believe that these honored ladies were well deserving of that honor judging by the actions of their sons! Moms, you have the power to influence your children for evil or for good! Don’t neglect that responsibility!