Jehoram the son of Ahab was still reigning in the kingdom of Israel when his nephew, Ahaziah, came to the throne of Judah. Ahaziah ruled only one year, and during this time, influenced by his mother, Athaliah, "his counselor to do wickedly," "he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the Lord." 2 Chronicles 22:3, 4; 2 Kings 8:27. Jezebel, his grandmother, was still living, and he allied himself boldly with Jehoram of Israel, his uncle.

Akabs søn Joram var endnu konge i Israels rige, da hans søstersøn Ahazja blev konge i Juda, Ahazja regerede kun ét år. Han stod under sin moder Ataljas indflydelse, og hun "forledte ham til ugudelighed". "Han vandrede i Akabs huss spor og gjorde, hvad der var ondt i Herrens øjne." 2Krøn. 22,3-4; 2Kong. 8,27. Hans bedstemoder Jesabel levede endnu, og han selv dristede sig til at slutte forbund med sin onkel, Joram af Israel.