The writer provides the usual information about Ahaziah’s reign: his age when he began to rule, the length of rule, and the name of his mother. But he goes a step further in describing the background of the king’s mother. His mother was related to the king of Israel named Omri (see 1 Kgs 16.16-28).

Twenty-two years old: Instead of the age given here, the parallel passage in 2 Chr 22.2 has “forty-two years old.” But the higher figure would make him older than his father. This passage should be not be harmonized with 2 Chr 22.2.

The reign of Ahaziah was very brief, covering only one year. Since parts of a year are often counted as whole years, Ahaziah may have ruled less than a full year.

The Hebrew words translated granddaughter of Omri in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation are literally “daughter of Omri,” and are so translated in New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and Bible de Jérusalem. Athaliah became the queen of Judah after the death of her son Ahaziah (see 2 Kgs 11.1-16).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .