2 Kings 11:1

Athaliah. The death of Ahaziah at the hands of Jehu took place only a short time after the death of Joram in Israel (2 Kings 9:24, 27). However, the reign of Jehu began before the reign of Athaliah, although by only a very short time, possibly only a few days or weeks. Whether any particular significance is to be attached to the fact that the record of Jehu’s accession to the throne (2 Kings 9:12, 13) precedes that of Athaliah (2 Kings 11:1-3) cannot be determined (see p. 145). In view of the fact that Jehu is presented as taking the initiative in events leading up to his accession (2 Kings 9:1-11), it would be only natural to expect the writer of 2 Kings to preserve the continuity of the narrative by recording the proclamation of Jehu as king first (see on Genesis 25:19; 27:1; 35:29; Exodus 16:33, 35; 18:25). To introduce Athaliah first would interrupt the continuity of the record.

All the seed royal. Athaliah seems to have inherited the stormy and bloodthirsty spirit of her mother Jezebel. As the wife of Jehoram and the mother of Ahaziah, she might be expected to have dominated the policy of Judah during these two reigns. The influence of Israel left a strong impress upon Judah during this period (2 Kings 8:18, 27). Now Athaliah proceeded to carry on in her own right. The slaughter of all her relatives in Israel was a severe blow to her. Before any plans could be formulated against her in Judah she struck first. She thought that she had utterly exterminated the posterity of David.