Famous Women
Many Queens
We read in the Holy Bible about many famous queens:
About Michal, the wife of David (1 Sam. 18), the daughter of King Saul, and how she stood with her saintly husband against the plots of her father.
About Abigail, the wise woman, whose wisdom David praised (1 Sam. 25).
And about Bathsheba, who gave birth to Solomon the Wise, and about Maacah (1 Kings 14), and about Rizpah (2 Sam. 3).
We also hear about Jezebel, the wicked queen (1 Kings 16–21), the wife of King Ahab, who spread the worship of idols in Israel, mistreated Elijah the prophet, and caused Naboth the Jezreelite to be killed unjustly… Her end was a bad one, for she was killed in a horrible manner.
Among the famous queens in evil also is Herodias, who caused the death of John the Baptist (Matt. 14).
We also hear about Queen Athaliah (2 Kings 11), and Queen Nehushta (2 Kings 24).
We also hear about the great Queen Esther, who saved all the people. Above all, the Church gives the Virgin Mary the title of the Queen standing at the right hand of the King {in a spiritual sense, although she was not officially a queen on earth}.
Among the famous queens of the nations is the Queen of Sheba, who came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 10). The Lord Christ Himself praised her (Matt. 12:42).
We also hear about Queen Vashti, who, with great courage, refused the command of King Ahasuerus in a matter she considered against her dignity. She did not care, for the sake of that, that she would be removed from the queenship (Est. 1).
We also hear about Candace, Queen of Ethiopia (Acts 8), whose minister was baptized by Philip after he heard the explanation of the Book of Isaiah.
And we hear about Queen Bernice, the wife of King Agrippa (Acts 25), who attended the trials of the Apostle Paul.
Just as the Holy Bible presents these names to us, civil history also presents to us the names of many queens, such as Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for a time, and Cleopatra, who was able to dominate the Roman emperors.
Outside Egypt, there are also many other examples of queens.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – El-Keraza Magazine – Eighth Year (Issue No. 24) – June 17, 1977.
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