The answer is: Destroyed the rest of the royal family

2 Ki 11:1 - Athaliah who was intent on taking over the kingdom killed all the royal family except for Joash who was hidden away for six years to keep the royal line alive.

Athaliah certainly wasn’t the typical picture of a nurturing mother. In fact, she’s one of the more notorious characters in the Bible, known for her ruthless ambition and the lengths she went to seize the crown of Judah. When she discovered that her son, Ahaziah, was dead (which wasn’t exactly surprising given all the political intrigue), instead of mourning, she saw an opportunity. By eliminating the royal family – her own grandkids included – Athaliah hoped to consolidate her own power.

A fascinating twist to this story is Joash's survival. Hidden away for six years, Joash represents not just a difficult childhood, isolated from the grand strides of the kingdom, but also a symbol of the continuity of God's promises. Interestingly, Joash later grows up to become a formidable king, his reign known for repairing the Temple of Jerusalem—which led people back to their faith after a period of chaos.

This echo from the past is reminiscent of other striking moments in biblical history when a wicked queen tried to disrupt the divine plan. Think about Jezebel, who championed Baal worship in Judah, married into high stature, and met her gritty end. Athaliah's rise and fall remind us that in the Bible, power plays frequently mingle with divine providence. It's proof that even in darkness, something marvelous can be poised to arise, as it did with Joash resulting in a surprising twist in the chains of royal tradition!