SOME men (and the women who cater to them) like to quote scriptures about Jezebel and Athaliah to shame and reprimand women. There names have been mentioned multiple times in this thread. It’s like some people conveniently forget that there is a whole dirty laundry list of evil, rebellious kings (men) in the Bible. Evil kings (men) who rebelled against God and led those under their authority (wives, children, the entire nation) astray. THERE ARE MORE EVIL KINGS MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE THAN EVIL QUEENS. In fact, most of the kings of Israel were evil.
God promised King Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, a kingdom if he would trust the LORD, but Jeroboam didn't believe God would deliver on his promise. In order to achieve security, he abolished the national worship of the LORD and inaugurated calf worship. Jeroboam led the children of Israel into sin against God (1 Ki 11:25 - 14:20; 2 Ch 10:1 - 13:20). Jeroboam became the prototype of an evil king. Several kings who ruled after him followed his example and continued to lead the children of Israel into sin:
Jeroboam's son Nadab reigned over Israel for two years, practicing what the LORD considered to be evil, living the way his father did, committing sins, and leading Israel to sin (1 Ki 15:25-26).
Later, a message came from the LORD to Hanani's son Jehu. It was directed to rebuke Baasha, and this is what it said: I raised you from the dirt to become Commander-in-Chief over my people Israel, but you've been living like Jeroboam, you've been leading my people Israel into sin, and you've been provoking me to anger with their sins (1 Ki 16:2).
When Zimri observed that the city had been captured, he retreated into the king's palace, set fire to the citadel, and died when the palace burned down around him because of the sins that he committed by doing what the LORD considered to be evil, living like Jeroboam did, and sinning so as to lead Israel into sin (1 Kings 16:18).
Omri practiced what the LORD considered to be evil, doing far more evil than anyone who had reigned before him. He lived just like Nebat's son Jeroboam, and by his sin he led Israel into sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel with their idolatry (1 Ki 16:25).
Ahab asked Elijah, "So you've found me, my enemy?" Elijah answered, "I found you. Because you sold yourself to do what the LORD considers evil. 21So I am going to bring evil on you. I will destroy your descendants. I will destroy every male in Ahab's [house], whether slave or freeman in Israel. 22 I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam (Nebat's son) and like the house of Baasha, son of Ahijah, because you made me furious. You led Israel to sin." (1 Ki 21:20-22)
Ahab's son Ahaziah became king over Israel ... He reigned for two years over Israel. He practiced what the Lord considered to be evil by living life like his father and mother did. He lived like Nebat's son Jeroboam, who led Israel into sin (1 Ki 22:51).
Jehoahaz son of Jehu reigned in Samaria seventeen years. 2 But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, continuing the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. 3 So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and he allowed King Hazael of Aram and his son Ben-hadad to defeat them repeatedly (2 Ki 13:1-3).
Jehoash reigned in Samaria sixteen years. 11But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit (2 Ki 13:10-11).
Jeroboam II reigned in Samaria forty-one years. 24He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit (2 Ki 14:23-24).
Zechariah son of Jeroboam II began to rule over Israel... He reigned in Samaria six months. Zechariah did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, as his ancestors had done. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit (2 Kings 15:8-9).
Menahem son of Gadi began to rule over Israel... He reigned in Samaria ten years. 18 But Menahem did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. During his entire reign, he refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit (2 Kings 15:17-18).
Pekahiah reigned in Samaria two years. 24But Pekahiah did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit (2 Kings 15:23-24).
Pekah reigned in Samaria twenty years. 28But Pekah did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit (2 Kings 15:27-28).
Amon reigned two years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did. And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord. 2 Ki 21:19-22
Jehoiakim reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. 2 Kings 23:36-37
Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord 2 Ki 24:18-19
Jezebel and Athaliah were absolutely wrong for their rebellion. Likewise, the numerous evil kings listed in scripture were also absolutely wrong for their rebellion against God and for leading those under their authority (wives, children, the entire nation of Israel) into sin and idolatry.
Most likely, you will not hear men who eagerly use Jezebel and Athaliah to shame and reprimand the female gender quoting scriptures about the wickedness of the evil, rebellious kings of Israel and how they abused their power and mislead those under their authority: wives, children and the entire nation.
As far shame goes, there is plenty shame to go around. ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). ALL includes men. Let's not pretend like men automatically provide Godly, quality leadership in the home, church or community. That's not what we see in scripture (or global news). Scripture is full of sinful, wicked and ineffective male leaders.