In the biblical narrative, the accession of kings serves as a significant chronological marker, providing a framework for understanding the historical timeline of Israel and Judah. The accession year of a king often marks the beginning of a new era, and biblical authors frequently use these events to date other occurrences.

1. The Accession Year System:

The accession year system, also known as the post-dating system, was commonly used in the ancient Near East, including Israel and Judah. In this system, the year a king ascended to the throne is not counted as the first year of his reign. Instead, it is considered the "accession year," and the first official year of reign begins with the start of the new calendar year. This method is evident in the biblical accounts of the kings of Judah.

2. The Non-Accession Year System:

Conversely, the non-accession year system, or the ante-dating system, counts the accession year as the first year of the king's reign. This system was more commonly used in the northern kingdom of Israel. The difference in these systems can lead to variations in the chronological records between the two kingdoms.

3. Biblical Examples:

· Rehoboam and Jeroboam: The division of the united monarchy into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah is marked by the accession of Rehoboam in Judah and Jeroboam in Israel. "In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem" (1 Kings 14:25). This event is dated relative to Rehoboam's reign, illustrating the use of accession years.

· Hezekiah and Hoshea: The synchronism between the reigns of Hezekiah in Judah and Hoshea in Israel is another example. "In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah" (2 Kings 18:1). This passage demonstrates the use of accession years to establish a timeline between the two kingdoms.

· Jehoiakim and Nebuchadnezzar: The reign of Jehoiakim is dated in relation to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it" (Daniel 1:1). This event marks a significant point in biblical history, leading to the Babylonian exile.

4. Challenges in Chronology:

The use of different systems and the lack of consistent record-keeping can present challenges in establishing a precise biblical chronology. Discrepancies in the lengths of reigns and overlapping reigns further complicate the timeline. However, these chronological markers remain crucial for understanding the historical context of biblical events.

5. Theological Implications:

The accession of kings is not merely a historical detail but carries theological significance. The rise and fall of kings are often depicted as acts of divine sovereignty, with God raising up leaders according to His purposes. The biblical narrative emphasizes that the ultimate authority over time and history belongs to God, who orchestrates events according to His divine plan.1 Kings 6:1
And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 15:1
Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 36:1
Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defended cities of Judah, and took them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 1:2
To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 3:1
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... with a body of troops which tradition computed at 800,000 ... only on a contract dated
from his accession, which is ... At the end of that time Megabyzos succeeded in ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

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