The answer is: Athaliah

2 Kings 11:1 - Athaliah’s thirst for power nearly wiped out David’s lineage, threatening God’s covenant promise. Her defeat and the preservation of Joash underscore divine protection over God’s plans.

Ah, Athaliah—a name that echoes through the ages not just as a villainess, but as a symbol of danger for David's royal lineage! This queen jumped straight into the RAF of ruthless rulers, going so far as to eliminate her own family to seize the throne. After the death of her son Ahaziah, the reigning king, she saw an opportunity and wasted no time in enacting her brutal plan.

Here's where her story takes a surreal turn. Joash, one of her grandchildren, was secretly hidden away by his aunt Jehosheba, allowing him to avoid his grandmother's murderous wrath. It’s a dramatic twist of fate that not only preserves his life but also keeps God’s covenant with David firmly intact! In drama-worthy fashion, Joash eventually grows up to reclaim his rightful place. Can you imagine the old rivalries boiling beneath that temple plan?

Interestingly, Athaliah ruled long enough to become the only female monarch of Judah! Coincidence? Maybe, but it definitely adds a layer of complexity. Biblical ctivities like these raise fascinating questions about kinship, authority, and policies of elimination that resonate throughout history, sending messages about the distaste for tyranny. Soft whispers of God's protective hand ring throughout this chaotic chapter of history—almost like a divine mic-drop moment that underscores bonded destinies by mean-of right place and right time. Could there be hidden heroes lurking among traitors? It's possible! We find, again and again, the tapestry of divinity sweeps through what feels like stormy waters.