The Kings of Judah

I. REHOBOAM - (931-913) 17 Years

Synopsis - Judah's first king, at times obeyed God but as with man there were times when he did not. Like his father, Solomon, he continued with pagan worship. Under his rule Judah suffered humiliating punishment from Egypt.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 11:43, 12:1-7, 14:21-31, 15:6 I Chronicles 3:10

II Chronicles 9:31, 10:1-18, 11:1-22, 12:1-16, 13:7

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Jeroboam (22 yrs.) - Prophet Shemaiah

A. I Kings 14:21031; II Chronicles 10-12

B. 17 years (931-913)

C. Solomon’s son; David’s grandson

D. Caused the kingdom to split (I Kgs.12:1-24)

E. Led towards idolatry (I Kgs.14:23-24)

F. Defeated by Shishak of Egypt (I Kgs.14:25-27; II Chron.12:2-12)

 II. ABIJAM Abijah - Date: ((913-911) 3 Years

Synopsis - Son of Rehoboam and the 2nd king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He followed in the sins of his father. The Lord allowed his son after him to become king because of the covenant He had made with David.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 14:31, 15:1-8

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Jeroboam (22 yrs.) - Prophet Iddo the Seer

A. I Kings 15:1-8; II Chronicles 13:1-22

B. 3 years 913-911)

C. Won major battle against Jeroboam

III. ASA Asa - Date: (911-870) 41Years

Synopsis - Asa, the son of Abijah, did that which was right in the eyes of God. He removed pagan worship from the land and even removed his mother from being queen because of her idolatry. However, he was rebuked by the prophet Hanani for relying on the Syrian king instead of God.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 15:8-33, 16:8-29, 22:41-46, II Chronicles 14:1-13, 15:2-19, 16:1-13, Jeremiah 41:9

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Jeroboam (22 yrs.) - Prophet Azariah & Hanani

A. I Kings 15:9-24; II Chronicles 14-16

B. 41 years (911-870)

C. Several good acts (I Kgs.15:11-15; II Chron.14:2-5; 15:8-18)

D. Became proud in later years (II Chron.16:7-12)

IV. JEHOSHAPHAT  Jehoshaphat - Date: (873-848) 25 Years

Synopsis - Son of Asa, continued the spirit of his fathers rule. He sent out princes to teach from the Book of the Law in the cities of Judah. Jehosaphat while a servant of the Lord made a mistake in making an alliance with Ahab, then king of Israel. The alliance did bring an end to years of conflicts between the two kingdoms. During this time, Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, married Ahab's daughter, Athaliah. She would later bring the worship of Baal to Judah.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 15:24, 22:2-51, II Kings 3:1-14, II Chronicles 17:1-12, 18:1-31, 19:1-18, 20:1-37

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Ahab (22 yrs.), Ahaziah (2 yrs.), Joram (12 yrs.) - Prophets Jehu, Jahaziel & Eliezer

A. I Kings 22:41-50; II Chron.17-20

B. 25 years (873-848)

C. Good works (I Kgs.22:43, 46; II Chron.17:3-9; 20:3-33)

D. Made alliance with Israel (I Kgs.22:44, 48-49; II Kgs.3:4-27; II Chron.18:1-19:3; 20:35-37)

E. Married his son Jehoram to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah (II Kgs.8:16-24)

 V. JEHORAM  Jehoram - Date: (848-841) 8 Years

Synopsis - After killing his brother he married Athaliah, the daughter of the king of Israel, Ahab and Jezebel, and brought Baal worship to Judah. Edom and Libnah gained independence from Judah during his reign. The prophet Elijah who mostly prophesied to Israel sent him a letter predicting the bowel disease that would lead to his death.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 8:16-29, II Chronicles 21:1-16

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Joram (12 yrs.) - Prophet Obadiah

A. II Kings 8:16-24; II Chronicles 21

B. 8 years (853-841)

C. Killed his six brothers (II Chron.21:2-4)

D. Died of a terrible disease (II Chron.21:12-15, 18-20)

 VI. AHAZIAH  Ahaziah - Date: (843) 1 Years

Synopsis - Son of Jehoram, his reign was short lived. He was influenced by the wicked king Ahab and Jezebel from the northern kingdom. He was killed by the purge of Jehu.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 8:24-29, 9:16-29, 10:13, 11:1-2, II Chronicles 22:1-11

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Joram (12 yrs.), Jehu (28 yrs.)

A. II Kings 8:25-29; 9:27-29; II Chronicles 22:1-9

B. 1 year (841)

C. Influenced by his mother Athaliah (II Chron.22:3)

D. Killed by Jehu

VII. ATHALIAH  Athaliah  - Date: (841-835) 7 Years

Synopsis - She first corrupted her husband, Jehoram, and dominated her son, Ahaziah. Then after Ahaziah's death, she killed off her infant grandchildren to remove rivals from the throne. She led Judah into a time of Baal worship. Athaliah was the only woman to rule either of the two kingdoms.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 8:26, 11:1-20, II Chronicles 22:10-21

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Jehu (28 yrs.)

A. II Kings 11:1-3; II Chronicles 22:10-12

B. 6 years (841-835)

C. Not a descendant of David but the wicked daughter of Jezebel

D. Installed the Baal cult in Judah (II Kgs.8:18, 27; 11:18)

E. Killed her grandchildren so she could seize the throne.  Failed to kill Joash.

F. Killed by followers of the high priest Jehoiada who put Joash on the throne (II Kgs.11:4-16; II Chron.23:1-15)

 VIII. JOASH Joash - Date: (835-796) 40 Years

Synopsis - He came into powder as a result of a revolt against his grandmother Queen Athaliah. Jehoiada the priest led the revolt and as long as Joash listened to him he did well. However, when Jehoiada died, Joash allowed idolatry to prosper once again in Judah. Joash became so bad that he ordered the prophet Zechariah to be stoned. This same Zechariah was the son of Jehoiada the priest who had saved the life of Joash. Joash's own servants turned on him and avenged the murder of Zechariah.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 11:2, 12:19-21, 13:1-10, 14:1-3, II Chronicles 24:1-4

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Jehu (28 yrs.), Jehoahaz (17 yrs.), Jehoash (16 yrs.) - Prophet Joel

A. II Kings 12; II Chronicles 23:16-24:27

B. 40 years (835-796)

C. Under Jehoida’s leadership led a revival (II Kgs.12:2-16; II Chron.23:16-24:14)

D. In later years fell from God (II Kgs.12:17-21; II Chron.24:15-27)

E. Had Jehoida’s son, Zechariah, stoned to death for rebuking him (II Kgs.12:19-21; II Chron.24:25-27)

 IX. AMAZIAH  Amaziah - Date: (796-767) 29 Years

Synopsis - The son of king Joash, he avenged the murder of his father who had been killed by court servants. He led his army to Seir against the Edomites and made them subjects of Judah. However, he took the Edomite gods back to Jerusalem and worshiped them. He refused to listen to the doom brought by Gods prophets. He launched an attack against Jehoash the king of Israel and was defeated.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 12:21, 13:12, 14:1-23, 15:1-3, II Chronicles 25:1-27

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Jehoash (16 yrs.), Jeroboam II (41yrs.)

A. II Kings 14:1-20; II Chronicles 25

B. 29 years (796-767)

C. A generally good king

 X. UZZIAH (AZARIAH)  Azariah  - Date: (791-740) 52 Years

Synopsis - Azariah also called Uzziah was the son of king Amaziah. Under his rule Judah achieved true strength. However like so many leaders before him, he did not always obey the commands of God. When he tried to burn incense in the Temple rather than let the priests who were commissioned by God to do it. God struck him with leprosy. He also did not remove the high places where people sacrificed and worshiped false gods.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 14:21, 15:1-27

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Jeroboam II (41yrs.), Zechariah (6 mths.), Shallum (1 mth.), Menahem (10 yrs.), Pekahiah (2 yrs.) - Prophet Isaiah & Zechariah

A. II Kings 14:21-22; 15:1-7; II Chronicles 26

B. 52 years (791-739)

C. Expanded Judah’s territory (II Chron.26:6-16)

D. Punished with leprosy for intruding into the priest’s office (II Chron.26:16-21)

 XI. JOTHAM Jotham  - Date: (750-736) 16 Years

Synopsis - The son of Azariah, he was 25 when he begins to reign. He also held the throne on his father's behalf while his father who could not function as king because he had leprosy. The people during his reign continued to sacrifice and burn incense in the high places.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 15:5, 32-38

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Pekah (20 yrs.), Hoshea (9 yrs.)

A. II Kings 15:32-38; II Chronicles 27

B. 20 years (750-731)

C. The fourth good king in a row

D. Judah continued to prosper

 XII. AHAZ  Ahaz  - Date: (736-716) 16 Years

Synopsis - The son of Jotham. Pekah, king of Israel, was marching to attack Judah and Ahaz sought support from the Assyrians instead of listening to the prophet Isaiah and seeking help from the Lord. Ahaz purchased support from Assyria with treasures from the temple and the king's palace. Israel had to withdraw and defend itself against the Assyrians. However later Assyria attacked Judah and Ahaz surrendered to their domination. He made copies of their gods and placed them in Jerusalem. He even sacrificed his sons in the fire following the detestable worship of other nations.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 15:38,16:1-21, 17:1, 18:1, II Chronicles 28:1-27, Isaiah 7:1-12

Contemporary Northern Ruler- Hoshea (9 yrs.) - Prophets Isaiah & Micah

A. II Kings 16; II Chronicles 28

B. 28 years (743-715)

C. Did evil in the sight of God (II Kgs.16:2-4, 10-18; II Chron.28:1-4, 22-25)

D. Military loses (II Chron.28:16-19)

 XIII. HEZEKIAH  Hezekiah - Date: (716-687) 29 Years

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time Prophets Isaiah & Micah.

Synopsis - As king he immediately stopped idolatry by reopening the temple and called for a period of repentance. He organized the priests and Levites for the conducting of services. The tithe was reinstituted. Places of idol worship were destroyed. He listened to the prophet Isaiah. God honored his faithfulness by intervening on his behalf when Judah was under siege from the Assyrians. God also answered his prayer, healed him from his sickness and added 15 more years to his life.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 16:20, 18:1-37, 19:1-20, 20:1-21 II Chronicles 30:1-24, 31:2-20, 32:2-33, Isaiah 1:1, 36:1-22, 37:1-21, 38:1-22, 39:1-8 Jeremiah 15:4, 26:18-19

A. II Kings 18-20; II Chronicles 29-32

B. 42 years (728-686)

C. Approved of God (II Kgs.18:4-7; II Chron.29:2-31:21)

D. Sennacherib’s invasion (II Kgs.18:13-19:37; II Chron.32:9-21; Isa.36-37)

E. Fifteen extra years (II Kgs.20:1-11)

F. Hezekiah’s hospitality to the Babylonians (II Kgs.20:12-19; II Chron.32:30-31)

 XIV. MANASSEH Manasseh  - Dated: (696-642) 55 Years

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time Prophet Nahum.

Synopsis - The good that Hezekiah had done, his son Manasseh quickly undone. He reversed Hezekiah's reforms and he brought in all forms of idolatry, including the occult and witchcraft. He killed off prophets, erected idols in God's temple, and sacrificed his own sons on the altar of a heathen god. The Assyrian empire took Mansseh prisoner, leading him away with a hook in his nose.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 20:21, 21:1-20, 23:12, 24:3 II Chronicles 33:1-23 Jeremiah 15;4 Micah 1:1-9

A. II Kings 21:1-18; II Chronicles 33:1-20

B. 55 years (697-642)

C. Growth of idolatry (II Kgs.21:2-16; II Chron.33:2-10)

D. Captured by the Assyrians (II Chron.33:11-20)

 XV. AMON Amon  - Date: (642-640) 2 Years

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time.

Synopsis - Amon merely continued the evil practice of idol worship like his father, Manasseh. He died at the hands of his servants.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 21:18-25 II Chronicles 33:20-25

A. II Kings 21:19-26; II Chron.33:21-25

B. 2 years (642-640)

C. Killed by his servants

 XVI. JOSIAH Josiah  - Date: (640-608) 31 Years

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time Prophets Jeremiah & Zephaniah

Synopsis - Josiah came to the throne at the age of eight. He received good counsel from the high priests and in 31 years carried out the most extensive religious reforms in Judah's history. He removed and destroyed altars, idols, and symbols of ungodly worship from the temple. He destroyed pagan centers throughout the land. Against the warning of the prophet Jeremiah, he went against Egypt and died suddenly in battle.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 13:2, II Kings 21:24-26, 22:1-3, 23:16-34 II Chronicles 34:1,33 35:1-26, Jeremiah 1:1-3, 3:6, 22:11-18, 25:1-3

A. II Kings 22:1-23:30; II Chronicles 34-35

B. 31 years (640-609)

C. Latter day revival (II Kgs.22:3-23:25; II Chron.34:8-35)

D. Died in battle with Egypt (II Kgs.23:28-30; II Chron.35:20-27)

E. Time of Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Nahum and Habakkuk

 XVII. JEHOAHAZ Jehoahaz  - Date: (608) 3 Months

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time Prophet Jeremiah.

Synopsis - The son of Josiah, Jehoahaz reigned only for 3 months before being sacked by a pharaoh and carried off in chains.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 23:30-34 II Chronicles 36:2-4

A. II Kings 23:31-33; II Chronicles 36:1-3

B. 3 months (609)

C. Replaced by his brother at the command of Necho, Pharaoh of Egypt

 XVIII. JEHOIAKIM Jehoiakim  - Date: (608-597) 11 Years

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time Prophets Jeremiah, Habakkuk, & Daniel.

Synopsis - Installed by an Egyptian pharaoh, Jehoiakim found himself trapped when Egypt was defeated by Babylon. Jehoiakim shifted his allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He tried to have the prophet Jeremiah put to death. After an ill-advised revolt against Nebuchadnezzar, Jehoiakim was captured and killed.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 23:34-36, 24:1-19, 26:1-7, 35:1-19, 36:1-32, 52:1-2 Daniel 1:1-2

A. II Kings 23:34-24:7; II Chronicles 36:4-8

B. 11 years (609-597)

C. Condemned by Jeremiah (Jer.22:13-19)

 XIX. JEHOIACHIN Jehoiachin  - Date: (597) 3 Months

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time Prophets Jeremiah & Daniel.

Synopsis - Jehoiachin's reign was short lived. He held out against Nebuchadnezzer's army for 3 months and was taken captive and carried away along with many other captives. He lived in a Babylonian prison for 40 years.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 24:6-8, 24:12-15, 25:27 II Chronicles 36:8-9 Jeremiah 52:31

A. II Kings 24:8-16; II Chronicles 36:9-10

B. 3 months (597)

C. Conquered and removed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon

 XX. ZEDEKIAH (MATTANIAH)  Zedekiah  - Date: (597-586) 11 Years

Northern Kingdom in exile at this time Prophets Jeremiah, Daniel, & Ezekiel.

Synopsis - Zedekiah ruled over Judah during the last 11 years of its existence as an independent state. He took bad advice from his advisers and often made unwise decisions. He ignored Jeremiah's advice to remain loyal to Babylon but instead rebelled. As a result, Nebuchadnezzer laid siege to Jerusalem for almost two years, bringing the city to the verge of starvation. He burned Solomon's temple. At last Babylon overran the city. And they took everything of value from the temple. The sons of Zedekiah were slain by the Chaldees before his very eyes. They then put out the eyes of Zedekiah and carried him captive to Babylon.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 24:17-20, 25:1-7, Jeremiah 21:1-7, 24:8, 32:1-5, 34:1-8, 37:1-21, 38:5-24, 39:1-6, 44:30, 49:34, 51:59, 52:1-11

A. II Kings 24:17-25:21; II Chronicles 36:11-21; Jeremiah 39:1-10

B. 11 years (597-586)

C. Placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar

D. Rebelled against Babylon (II Kgs.24:20; II Chron.36:13)

E. The fall of Jerusalem (II Kgs.25:1-21; II Chron.36:17-20)

The Kings of Israel

. JEROBOAM Jeroboam I - Date: (931-910) 22 Years

Synopsis - From the prophet Ahijah, Jeroboam learned that God would punish Solomon by splitting the kingdom and giving 10 tribes to him. Wary of the attraction that Jerusalem held, Jeroboam feared that if his people went there for ceremonies their alliance may transfer to the Southern Kingdom. So he built shrines in the towns of Bethel and Dan complete with golden calves for his people to offer sacrifices to. Jeroboam set up his own order of priest, sacrifices and feasts. The idolatry Jeroboam established stayed with the Northern Kingdom through the remainder of its existence. God turned from Israel as a result of their idol worship and they were sent into exile where they remain today.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 11:26-40, 12:2-5, 12:20-33, 13:1-6, 14:1-30, 15:1-9, 15:25-34, 16:1-7,18-31 21:20-22, 22:51-53,

II Kings 3:1-3, 10:27-29, 13;1-2, 14:23-24, 15:8-9, 17:19-23, 23:15-16, II Chronicles 10:1-19, 11:1-4, 13:1-20

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Rehoboam (17 yrs.), Abijah (3 yrs.), and Asa (41 yrs.) - Prophet Ahijah (I Kings 12:15)

A. I Kings 12:25-14:20

B. 22 years (931-910)

C. First king of first dynasty

D. Established false worship (I Kgs.12:26-33)

E. Condemned by prophet (I Kgs.13:1-3; II Kgs.23:15-16)

II. NADAB Nadab - Date: (910-909) 2 Years

Synopsis - Nadab the son of Jeroboam followed the error of his father in every way. Nadab fell victim to a murder plot. Nadab was assassinated by Baasha during a siege of the Philistine city of Gibbethon. Baasha killed all that remained of the house of Jeroboam thus fulfilling the prophecy of Ahijah (I Kings 14:10-11)

Biblical Refs- I Kings 14:20, 15:25-31

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Asa (41yrs.)

A. I Kings 15:25-31

B. 2 years (910-909)

C. Second king in Jeroboam’s dynasty

D. Followed in his father’s sins (I Kgs.15:26)

E. Killed by the conspirator Baasha (I Kgs.15:27-28)

III. BAASHA Baasha  - Date: (909-886) 24 Years

Synopsis - Baasha gained the throne through violence. He killed his immediate predecessor Nadab, the son of Jeroboam. His capital was at Tirzah, he did not reverse the evil practices of Jeroboam and the prophet Jehu predicated his death. He was succeeded by his son Elah.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 15:16-33, 16:1-13, 21:20-22 II Chronicles 16:1-6 Jeremiah 41:9

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Asa (41yrs.) - Prophet Jehu (I Kings 16:1,7)

A. I Kings 15:32-16:7; II Chronicles 16:1-6

B. 24 years (909-886)

C. First king of second dynasty

D. Condemned by the prophet Jehu (I Kgs.16:1-7)

IV. ELAH Elah - Date: (886-885) 2 Years

Synopsis - Elah the son of Baasha was killed while he was drunk by his general Zimri who took the throne. Thus this ended Israel's 2nd dynasty and another family took the throne.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 16:6-13

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Asa (41yrs.)

A. I Kings 16:8-14

B. 2 years (886-885)

C. Second king in Baasha’s dynasty

D. Killed by his captain, Zimri (I Kgs.16:9-10)

V. ZIMRI Zimri - Date: (885-) 7 Days

Synopsis - Zimri a general gained the throne by killing the king of Israel, Elah and taking control of the palace of Tirzah. His reign only lasted 7 days. He committed suicide by burning the palace after Omri besieged the capital Tirzah.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 16:9-20, II Kings 9:31

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Asa (41yrs.)

A. I Kings 16:15-22

B. 7 days (885)

C. Only king in third dynasty

D. Killed by Elah’s general Omri

VI. OMRI Omri - Date: (885-874) 12 Years

Synopsis - Omri founded the city of Samaria and built the capital of Israel there. It remained the capital of Israel for the next 150 years. He was succeeded by his son Ahab.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 16:15-28, II Kings 8:26 Micah 6:15-16

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Asa (41yrs.), Jehoshaphat (25 yrs.)

A. I Kings 16:23-28

B. 12 years (885-874)

C. First king in the fourth dynasty

D. Established capital in Samaria (I Kgs.16:24)

VII. AHAB and JEZEBEL Ahab - Date: (874-853) 22 Years

Synopsis - Ahab the 7th king of Israel's Northern Kingdom, and son of Omri married a foreigner, Jezebel. Jezebel a pagan priestess promptly installed Baal worship as Israel's official religion. Ahab formed an alliance with Israel's neighbor, Judah, and the divided kingdoms lived in peace for the first time since Jeroboam I. During Ahab's reign the prophet Elijah appeared on the scene to represent the true God against Queen Jezebel's religion. God gave Ahab plenty of opportunities to reform but an incident over the vineyard of Naboth sealed his fate. Ahab's evil practices eventually spread into Judah.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 6:18-33, 17:1, 18:1-46, 20:13-14, 21:1-29, 22:20-41, II Kings 8:16-29, 10:1-18, II Chronicles 18:1-3, 18:19, 21:6, 21:13, 22:3-8, Micah 6:15-16

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Jehoshaphat (25yrs.) -  Prophet Elijah (I Kings 17:1), Prophet Micaiah (I Kings 22:6-28)

A. I Kings 16:28-34; 20:1-22:40)

B. 21 years (874-853)

C. Second king in Omri’s dynasty

D. Introduced the worship of Baal (I Kgs.16:30-33)

E. Defeated Syria on two occasions (I Kgs.20:1-34)

F. Time of the prophet Elijah (I Kgs.17-19, 21; II Kgs.1:1-2:11)

VIII. AHAZIAH Ahaziah - Date: (853-852) 2 Years

Synopsis - The son of Ahab, Ahaziah continued in the worship of Baal. The prophet Elijah announced Ahaziah's death because he sent for help from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, instead of seeking help from the true and living God of Israel. He died after suffering from a fall in his palace in Samaria.

Biblical Refs- I Kings 22:40-52, II Kings 1:1-18, II Chronicles 20:35-37

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Jehoram (8 yrs.) - Prophet Elijah

A. II Kings 1:2-18

B. 2 years (853-852)

C. Third king in Omri’s dynasty

IX. JEHORAM Joram - Date: (852-841) 12 Years

Synopsis - The son of Ahab, Joram became ruler of Israel at the death of his brother Aharziah. He led a coalition with Judah and Edom, being advised by the prophet Elisha and defeated Moab. He fell victim to Jehu's arrow thus ending the dynasty founded by Omri.

Biblical Refs- II Kings 8:16-29, 9:14-29, II Chronicles 22:5-7

Contemporary Southern Ruler- Jehoram (8) - Prophet Elisha

A. II Kings 3

B. 12 years (852-841)

C. Fourth king in Omri’s dynasty

D. Ahab’s son and Ahaziah’s brother

E. Time of the prophet Elisha (II Kgs.2-13)

F. Killed by Jehu

X. JEHU Jehu - Date: (841-814) 28 Years

Synopsis - He was a commander of the army when Elisha sent one of the sons of the prophets to Ramoth-gilead to anoint him as king. He was responsible for the deaths of Joram, king of Israel