How tempting it would be to regard Athaliah as the principal source of the evil that triumphed in Judah!...
How tempting it would be to regard Athaliah as the principal source of the evil that triumphed in Judah! Her contribution to the spread of lawlessness was undoubtedly great, but only because she opened her heart to the darkness that had been trying for centuries, even without her, to enslave each of us. Once evil has entered the world, it does not disappear but gives birth to new evil. Attempts to end evil by force lead to new bloodshed, and then streams of blood lead to new streams. What, then, should be done? Should the violent eradication of evildoers continue until complete victory, or should we try to stop evil through peace and love?
The second way seems impossible. Those drawn into the cycle of violence, retribution, new violence in revenge for retribution and so on have no intention of ending violence. This is a very human reaction, but, in the words of a Japanese writer, “the human, all too human, is always something animal.” To be truly human, we must open ourselves to what comes from above. Only then can peace enter our hearts and afterward be established on earth.
22 Ahaziah's wicked reign, Ch2 22:1-4.
Being confederate with Joram, he is slain by Jehu, Ch2 22:5-9.
Athaliah destroys the seed royal, and usurps the kingdom, Ch2 22:10-12.
22:2 Forty two years - Some acknowledge an error in the transcribers of the present Hebrew copies, in which language the numeral letters for 22 and 42 are so like, that they might easily be mistaken. For that it wasread 22 here, as it is in the book of Kings, in other Hebrew copies, they gather from hence, that it is at this day so read in divers ancient Greek copies, as also in those two ancient translations, the Syriack and the Arabick, and particularly in that most ancient copy of the Syriack which was used by the church of Antioch in the primitive times, and to this day is kept in the church of Antioch.The daughter - Of Ahab, Omri's Son. Grand - children are often called sons and daughters.
22:4 His father - Who, while he lived, seduced his son himself, and made other evil counsellors unnecessary.
22:9 Ahaziah - Who, tho' wounded, had made an escape, Ki2 9:27.