Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? The United Monarchy The Scriptures describe how the people of Israel initially lived under judges but later requested a king (see 1 Samuel 8). Thus began the era often called the United Monarchy, with three kings who ruled over all twelve tribes of Israel. Saul Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, became the first king. He was chosen by God through the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 10). His reign is recorded in 1 Samuel 10–31, where it is stated, “Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, ‘Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?’” (1 Samuel 10:1). Saul’s early success gave way to disobedience and eventual rejection by God. David David was anointed as king when Saul was still on the throne (1 Samuel 16). After Saul’s death, David reigned over the tribe of Judah in Hebron before being recognized by all Israel (2 Samuel 2–5). The pivotal moment is described: “When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them” (2 Samuel 5:3). Archaeological finds such as the Tel Dan Stele reference the “House of David,” supporting biblical historicity by confirming an ancient royal line that bore David’s name. David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6) and established the city as Israel’s capital. Despite personal failings, Scripture describes him as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). His reign unified Israel and laid a foundation for the nation’s future. Solomon Solomon, David’s son by Bathsheba, succeeded him (1 Kings 1–11). Known for wisdom granted by God (1 Kings 3), Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6). Testing by historians often points to traces of substantial structures in Jerusalem and Megiddo from this era, aligning with a strong, centralized government under Solomon’s rule. Eventually, Solomon’s marriages to foreign women led to idolatry in the land (1 Kings 11). Though the nation reached great heights under Solomon, his latter choices sowed seeds of division. The Divided Kingdom After Solomon’s death (circa 930 BC in many conventional chronologies), the monarchy split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Archaeological evidence, such as inscriptions and historical parallels with surrounding nations, often corroborates the general timeline of a division, though scholarly discussions about exact dates persist. Below is an overview of the kings who ruled each realm, according to Scripture. Major turning points (like idolatry or reforms) are called out for clarity. While there is scholarly debate about certain synchronisms, the biblical text remains a reliable source of names and events. Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom) 1. Jeroboam I (c. 930–910 BC) He led the rebellion against Rehoboam, Solomon’s son (1 Kings 12). Jeroboam established worship sites at Bethel and Dan to prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem. Scripture states, “So the king sought counsel and made two golden calves” (1 Kings 12:28). 2. Nadab (c. 910–909 BC) Son of Jeroboam, he continued in idolatry until he was overthrown (1 Kings 15:25–27). 3. Baasha (c. 909–886 BC) Eliminated Jeroboam’s line and reigned in Tirzah (1 Kings 15:27–16:7). 4. Elah (c. 886–885 BC) Son of Baasha, reigned briefly before being assassinated (1 Kings 16:8–10). 5. Zimri (c. 885 BC) Ruled only seven days (1 Kings 16:15). Faced opposition and took his own life. 6. Omri (c. 885–874 BC) A strong ruler who built Samaria (1 Kings 16:23–24). The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele) refers to Omri, aligning with the biblical portrayal of his dominance. 7. Ahab (c. 874–853 BC) Son of Omri, remembered for his marriage to Jezebel and promotion of Baal worship (1 Kings 16:31–33). The prophet Elijah confronted him repeatedly (1 Kings 17–19). The Kurkh Monolith references Ahab’s military engagements, again supporting scriptural details. 8. Ahaziah (c. 853–852 BC) Son of Ahab, he continued idolatry. Noted for his accident and subsequent inquiry of Baal-Zebub (2 Kings 1). 9. Joram (Jehoram) (c. 852–841 BC) Another son of Ahab, he partially removed Baal worship but did evil in God’s sight (2 Kings 3:1–3). 10. Jehu (c. 841–814 BC) Anointed by a prophet under Elisha’s guidance (2 Kings 9). Known for eradicating Ahab’s dynasty and Baal worship with zeal but failed to fully follow God's commands (2 Kings 10). 11. Jehoahaz (c. 814–798 BC) A son of Jehu, he faced repeated attacks from the Arameans. Scripture notes he did evil but sought the LORD’s favor in desperation (2 Kings 13). 12. Jehoash (Joash) (c. 798–782 BC) Continued conflict with Aram. Met Elisha on the prophet’s deathbed (2 Kings 13:14–19). 13. Jeroboam II (c. 793–753 BC) Brought prosperity and territorial expansion (2 Kings 14:23–29). Archaeological inscriptions from neighboring regions reference a time of Israelite strength, consistent with Jeroboam II’s successes. 14. Zechariah (c. 753 BC) Last of Jehu’s line, assassinated after six months (2 Kings 15:8–10). 15. Shallum (c. 752 BC) Reigned one month before being overthrown by Menahem (2 Kings 15:13–15). 16. Menahem (c. 752–742 BC) His forced tribute to Assyria appears in Assyrian records as well (2 Kings 15:19). 17. Pekahiah (c. 742–740 BC) Son of Menahem, assassinated by Pekah (2 Kings 15:23–25). 18. Pekah (c. 752–732 BC, overlapping with earlier regencies) Aligned with Syria against Judah. Eventually deposed by Hoshea (2 Kings 15:27–31). 19. Hoshea (c. 732–722 BC) The final king of Israel. Samaria fell to Assyria in 722 BC, ending the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17). Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom) 1. Rehoboam (c. 930–913 BC) Solomon’s son, he ruled over Judah and Benjamin. His harsh policies provoked the northern tribes’ secession (1 Kings 12). 2. Abijah (Abijam) (c. 913–910 BC) Fought Jeroboam I, claimed to follow David’s line but continued some of Rehoboam’s sinful practices (1 Kings 15:1–3). 3. Asa (c. 910–869 BC) Notable for religious reforms against idolatry (1 Kings 15:9–24). Scripture comments, “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” (1 Kings 15:11). 4. Jehoshaphat (c. 872–848 BC, coregency overlaps) Strengthened Judah spiritually, allied with Ahab’s house by marriage (1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 17–20). 5. Jehoram (Joram of Judah) (c. 848–841 BC) Married Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah, leading to religious corruption in Judah (2 Kings 8:18). 6. Ahaziah (c. 841 BC) Followed Jehoram’s idolatry. Killed by Jehu while visiting Joram of Israel (2 Kings 9:27–28). 7. Athaliah (Queen) (c. 841–835 BC) The only woman to rule Judah. She usurped the throne and sought to destroy David’s royal line. Her reign ended when she was overthrown, and Joash was placed on the throne (2 Kings 11). 8. Joash (Jehoash of Judah) (c. 835–796 BC) Guided by the priest Jehoiada, Joash restored the Temple but later fell into idolatry (2 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 24). 9. Amaziah (c. 796–767 BC) Initially faithful, later turned to idolatry after military successes (2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25). 10. Uzziah (Azariah) (c. 792–740 BC, long coregency) Attained success and stability in Judah. He eventually became proud and was stricken with leprosy (2 Kings 15:1–5; 2 Chronicles 26). Archaeologists suggest possible expansions of Jerusalem’s walls corresponding to this prosperous era. 11. Jotham (c. 750–735 BC, overlapping) Maintained fidelity to God. Scripture states, “Jotham grew powerful because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). 12. Ahaz (c. 735–715 BC) Made alliances with foreign nations and practiced idolatry, even sacrificing his own son (2 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 28). 13. Hezekiah (c. 715–686 BC) Implemented sweeping religious reforms, trusted God during Assyria’s invasion. The Siloam Tunnel inscription in Jerusalem aligns with biblical accounts of Hezekiah’s preparations for siege (2 Kings 18–20; 2 Chronicles 29–32). 14. Manasseh (c. 697–642 BC, long coregency) Initially wicked, led Judah into extreme idolatry. Later repented in exile (2 Chronicles 33). 15. Amon (c. 642–640 BC) Continued Manasseh’s earlier idolatries before being assassinated (2 Kings 21:19–23). 16. Josiah (c. 640–609 BC) Rediscovered the Book of the Law during Temple repairs (2 Kings 22). Brought major religious reform, purging idols (2 Kings 22–23). This contributed to a spiritual revival in Judah. 17. Jehoahaz (Shallum) (609 BC) Reigned only three months before Pharaoh Necho took him captive (2 Kings 23:31–33). 18. Jehoiakim (c. 609–598 BC) Appointed by Pharaoh Necho, faced Babylonian aggression. He ultimately rebelled (2 Kings 23:34–24:7). 19. Jehoiachin (c. 598–597 BC) Surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:8–12). Held in captivity, later released but never returned to independent rule. 20. Zedekiah (c. 597–586 BC) The final king of Judah. Rebelled against Babylon, leading to Jerusalem’s destruction and the Babylonian captivity in 586 BC (2 Kings 24:17–25:21). Archaeological Corroborations • The Tel Dan Stele (9th century–8th century BC) mentioning the “House of David” and the Moabite Stone referencing Omri confirm the biblical names. • Assyrian records (e.g., inscriptions from Shalmaneser III and Tiglath-Pileser III) frequently cite interactions with Kings of Israel and Judah, aligning with 2 Kings. • The Babylonian Chronicle documents Nebuchadnezzar’s campaigns, matching the biblical account of Judah’s fall (2 Kings 24–25). Such finds collectively illustrate that the biblical record of the monarchy stands on historically reliable ground. Significance of the Kings in Biblical Narrative The biblical account of Israel’s and Judah’s monarchs highlights recurring themes of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience. Kings who revered the LORD experienced national stability, while those who tolerated or endorsed idolatry brought calamity upon their realms (2 Kings 17:7–23). These events also point forward to the ultimate provision of salvation: the eternal kingship culminating in Christ, described as the “Son of David” (Matthew 1:1). As explained in the Scriptures, each king’s success or failure served a larger purpose—demonstrating the necessity of a righteous and everlasting King, fulfilled uniquely in Christ’s person and resurrection. Conclusion From Saul to Zedekiah, the kings of Israel and Judah shaped the destiny of a covenant people and revealed the consequences of loyalty or disobedience to God. Inscriptions and artifacts—from the Tel Dan Stele to the Babylonian Chronicle—reinforce the biblical accounts found in 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, and 1–2 Chronicles. These tangible items provide external confirmation for the historicity of Scripture. The recurring lesson found in these narratives is the continual reminder to honor the Creator, who sustains history. Even as some kings faltered, the biblical record remains consistent in affirming God’s sovereign hand over all events and His ultimate plan of redemption, climaxing in the eternal kingship of Jesus. |
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