Judah's Kings & Prophets

After the reign of King Solomon, around 930 BCE, the united kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:16-24). This essay focuses on the northern Kingdom of Israel until its fall to Assyria.

The first king of the northern kingdom was Jeroboam I, who ruled for 22 years (1 Kings 14:20). He established worship centers at Dan and Bethel with golden calves, leading the people away from worship in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:25-33). This set a precedent of idolatry that would plague the northern kingdom throughout its existence.

The kings and events in Israel's history include:

1. Jeroboam I (931-910 BCE)

   1. - First king of the divided northern kingdom (1 Kings 11:26-40, 12:20)

   2. - Reigned for 22 years (1 Kings 14:20)

   3. - Established golden calf worship at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:25-33)

   4. - His actions set a precedent for idolatry in Israel (1 Kings 14:16)

2. Nadab (910-909 BCE)

   1. - Son of Jeroboam I

   2. - Reigned for 2 years (1 Kings 15:25)

   3. - Continued in his father's sinful practices

   4. - Assassinated by Baasha while besieging Gibbethon (1 Kings 15:27-28)

3. Baasha (909-886 BCE)

   1. - Usurped the throne by killing Nadab and all of Jeroboam's family (1 Kings 15:27-29)

   2. - Reigned for 24 years (1 Kings 15:33)

   3. - Continued the calf worship (1 Kings 15:34)

   4. - Engaged in constant warfare with Judah (1 Kings 15:16-22)

4. Elah (886-885 BCE)

   1. - Son of Baasha

   2. - Reigned for 2 years (1 Kings 16:8)

   3. - Assassinated by Zimri while drunk (1 Kings 16:9-10)

5. Zimri (885 BCE)

   1. - Reigned for only 7 days (1 Kings 16:15)

   2. - Killed all of Baasha's family (1 Kings 16:11-13)

   3. - Committed suicide when Omri besieged Tirzah (1 Kings 16:18)

6. Omri (885-874 BCE)

   1. - Chosen as king by the army after Zimri's death (1 Kings 16:16)

   2. - Reigned for 12 years, 6 in Tirzah and 6 in Samaria (1 Kings 16:23-24)

   3. - Founded Samaria as the new capital

   4. - Considered more wicked than his predecessors (1 Kings 16:25-26)

7. Ahab (874-853 BCE)

   1. - Son of Omri

   2. - Reigned for 22 years (1 Kings 16:29)

   3. - Married Jezebel and promoted Baal worship (1 Kings 16:31-33)

   4. - Faced opposition from prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17-19, 21)

   5. - Engaged in wars with Aram-Damascus (1 Kings 20, 22)

8. Ahaziah (853-852 BCE)

   1. - Son of Ahab

   2. - Reigned for 2 years (1 Kings 22:51)

   3. - Continued Baal worship (1 Kings 22:52-53)

   4. - Died after falling through a lattice in his upper room (2 Kings 1:2-17)

9. Joram/Jehoram (852-841 BCE)

   1. - Brother of Ahaziah, son of Ahab

   2. - Reigned for 12 years (2 Kings 3:1)

   3. - Removed some Baal worship but maintained calf worship (2 Kings 3:2-3)

   4. - Killed by Jehu in Jezreel (2 Kings 9:14-26)

10. Jehu (841-814 BCE)

    1. - Anointed by a prophet under Elisha's direction (2 Kings 9:1-10)

    2. - Reigned for 28 years (2 Kings 10:36)

    3. - Destroyed Baal worship and Ahab's dynasty (2 Kings 10:18-28)

    4. - Maintained calf worship (2 Kings 10:29-31)

11. Jehoahaz (814-798 BCE)

    1. - Son of Jehu

    2. - Reigned for 17 years (2 Kings 13:1)

    3. - Continued in the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 13:2)

    4. - Israel suffered under Aramean oppression during his reign (2 Kings 13:3-7)

12. Jehoash/Joash (798-782 BCE)

    1. - Son of Jehoahaz

    2. - Reigned for 16 years (2 Kings 13:10)

    3. - Continued in the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 13:11)

    4. - Visited Elisha on his deathbed and received a prophecy of victory over Aram (2 Kings 13:14-19)

13. Jeroboam II (782-753 BCE)

    1. - Son of Jehoash

    2. - Reigned for 41 years (2 Kings 14:23)

    3. - Continued in the sins of Jeroboam I (2 Kings 14:24)

    4. - Restored Israel's borders according to Jonah's prophecy (2 Kings 14:25)

    5. - Oversaw a period of prosperity and expansion

14. Zechariah (753-752 BCE)

    1. - Son of Jeroboam II

    2. - Reigned for 6 months (2 Kings 15:8)

    3. - Continued in the sins of Jeroboam I (2 Kings 15:9)

    4. - Assassinated by Shallum (2 Kings 15:10)

15. Shallum (752 BCE)

    1. - Reigned for 1 month in Samaria (2 Kings 15:13)

    2. - Assassinated by Menahem (2 Kings 15:14)

16. Menahem (752-742 BCE)

    1. - Reigned for 10 years (2 Kings 15:17)

    2. - Continued in the sins of Jeroboam I (2 Kings 15:18)

    3. - Paid tribute to Assyria (Pul/Tiglath-Pileser III) to secure his throne (2 Kings 15:19-20)

17. Pekahiah (742-740 BCE)

    1. - Son of Menahem

    2. - Reigned for 2 years (2 Kings 15:23)

    3. - Continued in the sins of Jeroboam I (2 Kings 15:24)

    4. - Assassinated by Pekah (2 Kings 15:25)

18. Pekah (740-732 BCE)

    1. - Reigned for 20 years (2 Kings 15:27)

    2. - Continued in the sins of Jeroboam I (2 Kings 15:28)

    3. - Allied with Aram-Damascus against Assyria and Judah (2 Kings 15:37, 16:5)

    4. - Lost significant territory to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29)

    5. - Assassinated by Hoshea (2 Kings 15:30)

19. Hoshea (732-722 BCE)

    1. - Last king of Israel

    2. - Reigned for 9 years (2 Kings 17:1)

    3. - Did evil, but not as much as previous kings (2 Kings 17:2)

    4. - Initially submitted to Assyria, then rebelled by seeking help from Egypt (2 Kings 17:3-4)

    5. - Imprisoned by the Assyrian king (2 Kings 17:4)

    6. - Samaria fell after a 3-year siege, ending the kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:5-6)

This list shows the turbulent history of the northern kingdom, marked by frequent assassinations, usurpations, and persistent idolatry. The reigns of these kings span about 210 years, from the division of the kingdom to its fall to Assyria.

The Role Of The Prophets

The prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea played a crucial role during the reigns of the kings of Israel. They served as God's messengers, providing guidance, warnings, calling the people and their kings to repent and return to true worship of Yahweh and sometimes encouragement to both the kings and the people. 

1. Spiritual Advisors and Critics:

   1.    Prophets often confronted kings about their sins and idolatry. For example, Ahijah prophesied against Jeroboam I (1 Kings 14:7-16), and Elijah confronted Ahab (1 Kings 18:17-19).

   2.    They called for repentance and a return to true worship of Yahweh.

2. Defenders of Social Justice:

   1.    Prophets like Amos spoke out against social injustices and oppression of the poor (Amos 2:6-7, 5:11-12).

   2.    They reminded the kings and people of their covenant responsibilities to care for the vulnerable.

3. Predictors of Future Events:

   1.    Prophets often foretold coming judgments or blessings. For instance, Hosea predicted the fall of Israel to Assyria (Hosea 10:5-8).

   2.    Jonah prophesied the expansion of Israel's borders under Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:25).

4. Performers of Miracles:

   1.    Some prophets, like Elijah and Elisha, performed miracles to demonstrate God's power and authenticate their messages (1 Kings 17:17-24, 2 Kings 4-6).

5. Anointers of Kings:

   1.    Prophets sometimes played a role in designating new kings. For example, a disciple of Elisha anointed Jehu as king (2 Kings 9:1-10).

6. Intermediaries between God and the People:

   1.    Prophets often interceded on behalf of the people, pleading for mercy or deliverance (Amos 7:1-6).

Key prophets during the reign of Israel's kings included:

1. Ahijah: Active during Jeroboam I's reign (1 Kings 11:29-39, 14:1-18).

2. Elijah: Ministered primarily during Ahab's reign, confronting Baal worship (1 Kings 17-19, 21).

3. Micaiah: Prophesied against Ahab (1 Kings 22:1-28).

4. Elisha: Successor to Elijah, active during the reigns of Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash (2 Kings 2-13).

5. Jonah: Prophesied during Jeroboam II's reign (2 Kings 14:25).

6. Amos: Ministered during Jeroboam II's reign, focusing on social justice (Book of Amos).

7. Hosea: Active in the final years of Israel's kingdom, emphasizing God's faithful love despite Israel's unfaithfulness (Book of Hosea).

The prophets' messages often went unheeded, particularly regarding idolatry and social injustice. This persistent disobedience to the prophets' warnings is cited as a reason for Israel's ultimate downfall (2 Kings 17:13-14).

Despite facing opposition and sometimes persecution from the kings (like Jezebel's attempts to kill Elijah), the prophets remained faithful to their calling. Their writings and stories became an integral part of Israel's spiritual heritage, continuing to influence Jewish and Christian thought long after the fall of the northern kingdom.

The kingdom of Israel faced constant threats from neighbouring powers, particularly Aram-Damascus and Assyria. King Menahem paid tribute to the Assyrian king Pul (Tiglath-Pileser III) to secure his throne (2 Kings 15:19-20). Later, King Pekah allied with Aram-Damascus against Assyria, but this led to disaster (2 Kings 15:29-30; 16:5-9).

The final blow came when King Hoshea rebelled against Assyria. In response, the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V besieged Samaria for three years. The city fell in 722 BCE, during the reign of Sargon II. Many Israelites were deported to various parts of the Assyrian Empire, while people from other conquered nations were settled in Israel (2 Kings 17:5-6, 24).

The biblical authors attribute this downfall to Israel's persistent idolatry and failure to heed the warnings of the prophets (2 Kings 17:7-23). The exile marked the end of the northern kingdom of Israel, leaving only the southern kingdom of Judah to carry on the legacy of the chosen people.