How did Judah's kings follow or stray from God?

Introduction

The kingdom of Judah began after the unified monarchy of Israel split following Solomon’s reign. Through a series of rulers descending from the line of David, some kings sought the ways of righteousness and upheld the covenant with the LORD, while others embraced idolatry and disobedience. The following sections provide a comprehensive overview of each king in Judah’s history, based on Scripture and supported by relevant historical and archaeological insights.

The Divided Kingdom and Judah’s Inauguration of Kings

When Solomon’s son Rehoboam assumed the throne, the nation faced turmoil over heavy taxation and harsh labor. Ten tribes broke away under Jeroboam I, forming the northern kingdom of Israel, leaving Judah and Benjamin under Rehoboam’s rule in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10). This split set the stage for the spiritual ebb and flow of Judah’s kings over the next several centuries, culminating in the exile of 586 BC.

Rehoboam (1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10–12)

Rehoboam was Solomon’s son and the first king of the southern kingdom. Instead of lessening his father’s burdens on the people, he increased them, triggering the division (1 Kings 12:13–14). Initially, he lacked humility before God, but during an invasion by Shishak of Egypt (2 Chronicles 12:2), he and his leaders humbled themselves, and the immediate disaster was averted (2 Chronicles 12:5–12). However, his reign overall was marred by idolatrous practices that led Judah astray.

Abijah (1 Kings 15:1–8; 2 Chronicles 13)

Abijah (also called Abijam in some accounts) had a short reign. Second Chronicles 13 records his confrontation with Jeroboam of Israel. In that battle, Abijah appealed to the Davidic covenant and the legitimate priesthood in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 13:10–12). Though his heart was not fully devoted (1 Kings 15:3), God granted him victory over his enemies because of His covenantal promise to David.

Asa (1 Kings 15:9–24; 2 Chronicles 14–16)

Asa did “what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2). He removed idols, expelled male cult prostitutes, and even deposed his grandmother from her royal position because of her idolatry (1 Kings 15:12–13). God rewarded Asa with peace and military success, especially evident when the Cushite army threatened Judah (2 Chronicles 14:9–15). Late in his reign, Asa relied on an alliance with the king of Aram rather than fully trusting the LORD (2 Chronicles 16:7–9). Still, Asa’s rule is primarily remembered for faithfulness and reform.

Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:41–50; 2 Chronicles 17–20)

Jehoshaphat deepened the reforms begun by Asa. He fortified Judah spiritually by appointing officials to teach God’s law throughout the land (2 Chronicles 17:7–9). His invitation for the people to seek the LORD in times of crisis is best displayed when Moab and Ammon invaded (2 Chronicles 20:3–4). Through prayer and worship, Jehoshaphat and Judah witnessed a miraculous deliverance. Despite a few poor alliances with Israel’s kings (2 Chronicles 19:2), his legacy is marked by reliance on God and dedication to true worship.

Jehoram (2 Kings 8:16–24; 2 Chronicles 21)

Jehoram, unlike his father Jehoshaphat, led Judah into idolatry. He killed his own brothers to secure the throne (2 Chronicles 21:4). Scripture records his spiritual downfall and a host of troubles that befell Judah, including invasions by the Philistines and Arabs, as well as a severe sickness that took his life (2 Chronicles 21:16–19).

Ahaziah (2 Kings 8:25–29; 2 Chronicles 22:1–9)

Ahaziah continued the sins of his father Jehoram. Influenced by his mother Athaliah (the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel), he formed alliances with the wicked dynasty of Omri in Israel. Like Jehoram, Ahaziah was judged swiftly, dying after being caught up in Jehu’s rebellion against the house of Ahab (2 Chronicles 22:7–9).

Queen Athaliah (2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10–12; 23)

After Ahaziah’s death, Athaliah took over the throne and killed the royal descendants to secure her power, except for Joash, who was hidden away. Her reign proved a dark time of idolatry in Judah (2 Chronicles 23:12–14). The high priest Jehoiada led a faithful rebellion, culminating in Athaliah’s execution and the enthronement of the rightful heir, Joash.

Joash (2 Kings 11:12–12:21; 2 Chronicles 24)

Joash began his reign under the guidance of the godly priest Jehoiada, restoring the temple and reestablishing proper worship (2 Chronicles 24:4–14). However, after Jehoiada’s death, Joash abandoned the faithful counsel. Idolatry returned, and he silenced God’s prophets—most tragically having Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, killed (2 Chronicles 24:20–22). This led to judgment on Joash and his eventual assassination.

Amaziah (2 Kings 14:1–20; 2 Chronicles 25)

Amaziah began well, punishing only the conspirators who killed his father, following the Mosaic commandment not to punish children for their parents’ sins (2 Chronicles 25:4). However, he lapsed into idolatry after defeating the Edomites, bringing their false gods back to Judah (2 Chronicles 25:14). This spiritual compromise led to conflict with Israel and eventual defeat.

Uzziah (2 Kings 15:1–7; 2 Chronicles 26)

Uzziah—also known as Azariah—brought economic prosperity and military strength to Judah. He modernized the army and engaged in significant building projects, in line with the biblical account (2 Chronicles 26:6–15). Archaeological excavations in the region show evidence of fortifications consistent with a period of prosperity. Yet Uzziah’s pride led him to enter the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved for priests (2 Chronicles 26:16–19). Consequently, he was stricken with leprosy and lived quarantined until his death.

Jotham (2 Kings 15:32–38; 2 Chronicles 27)

Jotham walked faithfully, continuing some of his father Uzziah’s building projects but resisting the presumptuous errors that cost Uzziah so dearly. His administration saw relative stability. Scripture commends him for not entering the temple to presume upon priestly duties, emphasizing his humility (2 Chronicles 27:2).

Ahaz (2 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 28)

Ahaz led Judah into a particularly wretched period of pagan worship, even burning his sons as sacrifices (2 Chronicles 28:3). In his desperation during military threats from Aram and Israel, he allied with Assyria rather than seeking God (2 Kings 16:7–8). He shut the doors of the temple and erected altars to foreign gods in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 28:24–25). These decisions brought Judah to the brink of ruin.

Hezekiah (2 Kings 18–20; 2 Chronicles 29–32)

Hezekiah instituted significant spiritual reforms, reopening the temple, reinstating proper worship, and celebrating Passover as prescribed (2 Chronicles 29–30). When Sennacherib of Assyria threatened Jerusalem, Hezekiah sought God’s deliverance (2 Chronicles 32:20). Historical evidence, such as the Siloam Tunnel Inscription, corroborates the biblical account of Hezekiah securing Jerusalem’s water supply (2 Chronicles 32:30). Though he later showed some pride in revealing his treasures to Babylonian envoys (2 Kings 20:12–19), he is lauded as a king who “trusted in the LORD” (2 Kings 18:5).

Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1–18; 2 Chronicles 33:1–20)

Manasseh is often remembered for egregious idolatry, including child sacrifice and desecration of God’s temple with idol worship (2 Chronicles 33:2–5). Archaeological digs have uncovered evidence of pagan practices in Judah that align with the biblical depiction of widespread false worship. Yet after being taken captive by the Assyrians, Manasseh humbled himself and repented (2 Chronicles 33:12–13). His life stands as an example of both extreme rebellion and the power of genuine repentance.

Amon (2 Kings 21:19–26; 2 Chronicles 33:21–25)

Amon followed in Manasseh’s earlier idolatrous ways but did not share in his father’s repentant spirit. His short reign was cut off when conspirators assassinated him in his own palace (2 Chronicles 33:24). The people of the land then placed his son Josiah on the throne.

Josiah (2 Kings 22–23; 2 Chronicles 34–35)

Josiah rose to the throne as a child and proved to be one of Judah’s most faithful kings. Repairing the temple led to the rediscovery of the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 34:14–15). Shocked by how far Judah had strayed, Josiah enacted righteous reforms, purging idols, tearing down altars, and reinstating Passover in a manner unparalleled since the judges (2 Chronicles 35:1–19). His reign is an often-cited model of wholehearted devotion to God, though he fell in battle against Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29–30).

The Final Kings of Judah (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah)

After Josiah’s death, Judah’s downfall accelerated. Jehoahaz lasted only three months before being imprisoned by the Egyptians (2 Kings 23:31–33). Jehoiakim became a vassal to Babylon, resisting prophetic warnings from Jeremiah. Jehoiachin surrendered to Babylon after a brief reign, resulting in the first wave of exiles (2 Kings 24:12). Zedekiah, the last king, rebelled against Babylon and witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:1–21). These final rulers largely ignored repeated pleas to repent, fulfilling the prophets’ declarations of judgment.

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

Numerous archaeological finds affirm the historical context of Judah’s monarchs. The Tel Dan Stele references the “House of David,” indicating an established Davidic dynasty. The Siloam Tunnel (Hezekiah’s Tunnel) and its inscription, discovered in the 19th century, verify the biblical account of Hezekiah preparing Jerusalem’s water supply in anticipation of an Assyrian siege (2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:30). Clay seals (bullae) bearing the names of officials from Hezekiah’s court have also been excavated, matching biblical narratives in astonishing detail.

These archaeological data points corroborate the Bible’s historical reliability and underscore the Scripture’s consistent testimony regarding both the faithfulness and unfaithfulness of Judah’s kings.

Conclusion

Judah’s history of monarchy testifies to God’s lasting promise to David, as well as the people’s ongoing struggle to remain faithful to the covenant. Some kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, modeled godly leadership and reaped blessings for the nation, while others forsook God and led the kingdom toward ruin.

Through these biblical accounts, readers are reminded of the importance of devotion to the LORD and reliance on His guidance. Despite human failings, the unwavering covenant faithfulness of God continues to shine throughout Judah’s story, urging each generation to trust, obey, and seek genuine renewal in every era.