The Kings of Israel were the rulers of the northern kingdom after the united monarchy of Israel split into two separate entities: the Kingdom of Israel in the north and the Kingdom of Judah in the south. This division occurred after the reign of King Solomon, around 930 BC, due to political and religious tensions. The northern kingdom, often referred to simply as Israel, consisted of ten tribes, while the southern kingdom, Judah, was composed of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

Jeroboam I (c. 930–909 BC)

Jeroboam I was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. He was originally an official under Solomon but rebelled against Solomon's son, Rehoboam, leading to the division of the kingdom. Jeroboam established two golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent the Israelites from going to Jerusalem to worship, which led to idolatry. "So the king sought advice and made two golden calves. Then he said to the people, 'Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt'" (1 Kings 12:28).

Nadab (c. 909–908 BC)

Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, reigned for a short period and continued in the sinful practices of his father. His reign was marked by conflict with the Philistines. He was assassinated by Baasha, who then took the throne. "Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years" (1 Kings 15:25).

Baasha (c. 908–886 BC)

Baasha came to power by killing Nadab and exterminating the house of Jeroboam, fulfilling the prophecy of Ahijah. His reign was characterized by continued idolatry and conflict with Judah. "Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against him, and he struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city" (1 Kings 15:27).

Elah (c. 886–885 BC)

Elah, the son of Baasha, reigned for two years. His rule ended when he was assassinated by Zimri, one of his officials, while he was in a drunken stupor. "In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years" (1 Kings 16:8).

Zimri (c. 885 BC)

Zimri's reign lasted only seven days. After assassinating Elah, he was quickly overthrown by Omri, the commander of the army. Zimri set the royal palace on fire and died in the flames. "When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him. So he died" (1 Kings 16:18).

Omri (c. 885–874 BC)

Omri established a new dynasty and moved the capital to Samaria. His reign was marked by political stability and alliances, but he continued the idolatrous practices of his predecessors. "But Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD and acted more wickedly than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:25).

Ahab (c. 874–853 BC)

Ahab, the son of Omri, is one of the most infamous kings of Israel. His marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, led to the introduction of Baal worship in Israel. Ahab's reign was marked by conflict with the prophet Elijah and the famous contest on Mount Carmel. "Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the sight of the LORD than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:30).

Ahaziah (c. 853–852 BC)

Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, continued in the idolatrous ways of his parents. His reign was brief, and he suffered an accident that led to his death. "Ahaziah son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years" (1 Kings 22:51).

Jehoram (c. 852–841 BC)

Jehoram, also known as Joram, was another son of Ahab. He attempted to eradicate Baal worship but did not fully turn to the LORD. His reign saw conflicts with Moab and the intervention of the prophet Elisha. "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like his father and mother, for he removed the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made" (2 Kings 3:2).

Jehu (c. 841–814 BC)

Jehu was anointed by Elisha to destroy the house of Ahab. He executed Jezebel and eradicated Baal worship, but he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam. "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel" (2 Kings 10:28).

Jehoahaz (c. 814–798 BC)

Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, reigned during a time of oppression by the Arameans. He sought the LORD's favor, and a deliverer was provided, but the nation continued in sin. "So Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for He saw the oppression that the king of Aram had inflicted on Israel" (2 Kings 13:4).

Jehoash (c. 798–782 BC)

Jehoash, also known as Joash, continued the war with Aram and achieved military victories. He had a notable encounter with the prophet Elisha before the prophet's death. "Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years" (2 Kings 13:10).

Jeroboam II (c. 793–753 BC)

Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, restored the boundaries of Israel and brought prosperity to the kingdom. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam I. "He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel" (2 Kings 14:25).

Zechariah (c. 753–752 BC)

Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, reigned for only six months before being assassinated, marking the end of Jehu's dynasty. "Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place" (2 Kings 15:10).

Shallum (c. 752 BC)

Shallum's reign lasted only one month before he was overthrown by Menahem. "Then Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria and struck down Shallum son of Jabesh there. He killed him and reigned in his place" (2 Kings 15:14).

Menahem (c. 752–742 BC)

Menahem's reign was marked by brutality and oppression. He paid tribute to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III to secure his throne. "Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land" (2 Kings 15:20).

Pekahiah (c. 742–740 BC)

Pekahiah, the son of Menahem, reigned for two years before being assassinated by Pekah, one of his chief officers. "Pekah son of Remaliah, one of his chief officers, conspired against him. He struck down Pekahiah, along with Argob and Arieh, in the citadel of the king’s palace at Samaria" (2 Kings 15:25).

Pekah (c. 740–732 BC)

Pekah formed an alliance with Rezin of Aram against Judah, leading to the Syro-Ephraimite War. He was eventually assassinated by Hoshea. "In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty years" (2 Kings 15:27).

Hoshea (c. 732–722 BC)

Hoshea was the last king of Israel. His reign ended with the Assyrian conquest of Samaria and the exile of the Israelites. "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria" (2 Kings 17:6).

The northern kingdom of Israel was characterized by political instability, frequent changes in leadership, and persistent idolatry, which ultimately led to its downfall and the Assyrian exile. The prophetic voices during this period, including Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea, called the people back to covenant faithfulness, but their warnings went largely unheeded.