The Kings of Israel and Judah

Following the death of Solomon, the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms: the north, or ‘Kingdom of Israel,’ and the south, or ‘Kingdom of Judah.’ Much of the books of First and Second Kings and First and Second Chronicles deal with this turbulent period of Hebrew history. While this summary is not designed to give a complete description of each king, it is a helpful ‘cheat sheet’ of the kings during the divided period.

The Kings of Judah

Rehoboam – Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, caused the division of the previously powerful Israelite nation. After promising toil and hardship to his subjects, they decided to revolt, leaving Rehoboam in charge of the tribe of Judah. Rehoboam initially planned on bringing the rebellious tribes back by force, but decided not to when he was warned by a prophet. Rehoboam was prosperous for his first three years while seeking the Lord, but he apostatized in his fourth year. Pharaoh Shishak raided Judah in his fifth year, capturing most of the wealth of Jerusalem. His reign witnessed a continual low-level civil war between Judah and Israel

 Abijam – Although Abijam was an evil king, he sought the Lord when Jeroboam came against him with a vastly larger army. With God’s help, the Judeans were victorious. Abijam reigned for three years.

Asa – Asa, one of the righteous kings of Judah, enjoyed ten years of peace at the beginning of his reign. He then fought against the forces of Zerah the Ethiopian and conquered. Following this war, Asa purged the land of iniquity and made a covenant with the Lord. Near the end of his reign he made an impious treaty with Benhadad of Syria against Baasha of Israel, who retreated from attacking. Asa became diseased in his feet at the end of his life, but these trials he did not lead him to seek the Lord.

Jehoshaphat – Jehoshaphat also sought the Lord and strengthened himself against Ahab. However, Jehoshaphat later allied with Ahab and fought Syria. For this, Jehoshaphat was rebuked by a prophet. Jehoshaphat continued to enjoy prosperity, although he allied himself with Jehoram of Israel to fight against Mesha of Moab. In this campaign, the allied forces were almost destroyed by thirst unless a miraculous deliverance occurred.

Joram – An evil king, Edom and Libnah revolted in his days. In addition, Joram received a letter of rebuke from Elijah the prophet and raids from the Philistines and Arabians.

Ahaziah – Ahaziah fought with Joram of Israel against Hazael of Syria. In that campaign, Joram was wounded and retreated to his capital. Ahaziah came to visit the injured king but was slain by the zealous Jehu while visiting.

Athaliah – Athaliah is known for her murder of the heirs of the throne. She ruled until Joash was made king, when she was executed.

Joash – Joash was the only heir who survived the rage of Athaliah. Proclaimed king by the chief priest at age seven, He followed the Lord all the days of Jehoiada (the chief priest). When Jehoiada died, however, he turned from the Lord and stoned Zechariah, Jehoiada’s prophet-son. Following these events, Joash become tributary to Syria and was eventually slain in a conspiracy.

Amaziah – Amaziah followed the Lord for some time. The Lord prospered his fight against Edom, but he lost favor when he began to worship the defeated Edomite gods. Following this, he was routed by Jehoash of Israel and was slain in a conspiracy.

Uzziah – Uzziah was a righteous king who was greatly blessed by the Lord. At the end of his life, however, he decided to burn incense to the Lord contrary to the law. He became a leper and died an outcast.

Jotham – Another righteous king, Jotham built defenses in Judah and warred successfully against Ammon. During his reign he was attacked by Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel.

Ahaz – Ahaz was a wicked king of Judah. He felt the full force of Rezin and Pekah’s armies. He was repeatedly attacked: by Syria, Israel, Edom, and Philistia. In the end, Ahaz asked Assyria for help to fight his enemies.

Hezekiah – Hezekiah was one of the holiest of Judah’s kings. He repeatedly attacked iniquity throughout his land, initiated rebuilding of the temple, and rebelled against Assyria. Although he was threatened with annihilation from Assyria, the Lord miraculously rescued him. He fell deathly sick, but prayed for and received mercy. His one blemish was pride while showing his treasures to Babylonian ambassadors.

Manasseh – Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings of Judah. The Assyrians eventually carried him to Babylon, where he repented, was released, and spent the rest of his life serving the Lord.

Amon – Amon reigned for two years, during which he was disobedient to the Lord. He was conspired against and slain.

Josiah – Josiah was the last righteous king of Judah. He enacted a systematic religious reform of the nation. Josiah was slain in battle with Pharaoh Nechoh.

Jehoahaz – Jehoahaz reigned three months until Pharaoh Nechoh put him in bonds.

Jehoiakim – Jehoiakim managed to survive for several years by paying tribute to Egypt and serving Babylon. However, when he rebelled against Babylon he was invaded by Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites.

Jehoiachin – Jehoiachin reigned three months until Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. He was taken with the Judean upper classes as a prisoner to Babylon. Later in his life, Evil-Merodach of Babylon showed the captured king kindness.

Zedekiah – Zedekiah was the last king of Judah. He rebelled against Babylon and was besieged and conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. Judah was destroyed at the end of his reign (circa 586 BC)

The Kings of Israel

Jeroboam – Jeroboam, the first king of Israel, was responsible for starting a new state religion following the division of the nation. He invaded Rehoboam’s son Abijam but was defeated.

Nadab – Nadab did evil and after two years was slain by Baasha while besieging Gibbethon of Philistia.

Baasha – After murdering Nadab, Baasha murdered all the house of Jeroboam. He fought against Asa but was driven back by Syria.

Elah – Elah, just like Nadab, was slain while besieging Gibbethon of Philistia.

Zimri – Zimri slew Elah and destroyed the house of Baasha. When news of this reached the army, it declared Omri king, and Zimri committed suicide when his capital was besieged.

Omri – Omri besieged king Zimri in Tirzah. He later made Samaria the new capital of the nation.

Ahab – Ahab, perhaps the most famous Israelite king, was guilty of horrible crimes against the Lord. He was punished by a terrible famine but responded by trying to kill the prophet Elijah. Ahab fought Ben-Hadad of Syria, but eventually let the wicked king live. Ahab later humbled himself before the Lord, but he went to war against Syria contrary to God’s word, resulting in his death.

Ahaziah – In his days Moab rebelled. He sent men to take Elijah and died shortly after.

Jehoram – Jehoram was king of Israel during the time of Elishah. He fought Mesha of Moab with the help of Jehoshaphat, and during his days Benhadad unsuccessfully besieged Samaria. He was finally killed by Jehu.

Jehu – Jehu’s original zeal for Jehovah resulted in the destruction of the house of Ahab and the followers of Baal. However, he later apostatized and Hazael of Syria killed him.

Jehoahaz – The only remarkable occurrence to happen in his reign was the oppression of Israel by Hazael and Ben-Hadad of Syria.

Jehoash – Jehoash was spoken to by Elisha and subsequently beat the Syrians three times.

Jeroboam II – Jeroboam II was important to Israelite history for briefly gaining several military victories.

Zachariah – Zachariah reigned only six months before he was assassinated.

Shallum – Shallum reigned a mere month before being assassinated.

Menahem – The most important event of Menahem’s reign was his tribute to Pul of Assyria.

Pekahiah – Pekah reigned two years and was assassinated by Pekah.

Pekah – Pekah enjoyed some initial power by besieging Jerusalem with the help of Rezin of Syria. However, he was later attacked by Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria, who carried away many captives. Pekah was assassinated by Hoshea.

Hoshea – Hoshea, the last king of Israel, served Shalmaneser of Assyria for several years until he revolted. Following a three year siege, Israel was conquered and the nation ceased to exist.