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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In the period that preceded the monarchy, Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit (Judges 21:25). God raised up Samuel to lead the people (1 Samuel 3:4). All of Israel knew that Samuel was e...
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Michael Harris
Supporter
This question is far more important than you might think. It is a question in which errors are easily made. Some kings have two names, their names changed and different kings have the same names. Also, at times the people of Israel or Judah followed someone like “Absalom” (2 Sam 13-19) or “Tibni” (1 Kings 16:21-22) who were usurpers of the throne; but, were never anointed as kings. The most common error is listing "Athaliah" among the “kings” of Judah. SHE was not an anointed king. In fact, she was not an anointed "Queen.” She was a usurper of the thrown. She was a "Queen Mother" or the mother of Ahaziah, the 6th king of Judah. (2 Kings 11:1). She had no right to the throne, was never anointed (nor could she be) and was a murderer in full rebellion opposed to God. The correct list of kings is as follows: The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David and Solomon. The Divided Northern Kingdom of Israel: 1) Jeroboam, 2) Nadab, 3) Baasha, 4) Elah, 5) Zimri, 6) Omri, 7) Ahab, 8) Ahaziah, 9) Joram/Jehoram, 10) Jehu, 11) Jehoahaz, 12) Joash, 13) Jeroboam II 14) Zechariah, 15) Shallum, 16) Menahem, 17) Pekahiah, 18) Pekah (overlap), 19) Hoshea. The Divided Southern Kingdom of Judah: 1) Rehoboam, 2) Abijah, 3) Asa, 4) Jehoshaphat, 5) Jehoram/Joram, 6) Ahaziah, 7) Joash/Jehoash, 8) Amaziah, 9) Uzziah/Azariah, 10) Jotham, 11) Ahaz, 12) Hezekiah, 13) Manasseh, 14) Amon, 15) Josiah, 16) Jehoahaz, 17) Jehoiakim, 18) Jehoiachin, 19) Zedekiah. Note: With regard to the “19” kings of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, please also see my answer regarding “The Age of Accountability” on my “Profile Page.” “19” is the Scriptural number of: “A Completed Order To or From Judgment.” After these 19 kings God held them “Accountable.” There were 3 kings who led the United Kingdom of Israel, Saul, David and Solomon. There were 38 kings (19+19) who led the divided kingdoms. This combines for a total of 41 kings in all. When the rightful 42nd prince of Judah arrived (Mat 2:2), he was rejected as their king and killed as a prince of Judah. (Dan 9:25; Mat 27:11, 37). When He returns it will be as the 42nd anointed king of Israel. This is the very thing that the genealogy of Matthew 1 points to. It is the genealogy of the king. Here we find 3 groups listing 14 generations each and 14x3 = “42” generations. (Mat 1:17) When He returns to the Earth it will be as "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah." (Gen 49:9, Rev 5:5). Getting the numbers correct is important. It all points to Jesus as the Messiah and rightful King of Israel! Truth matters! It points to more truth. As an example: the "Antichrist" or the one who comes "In place of Christ" (a Gentile usurper) is granted authority for "42 months" (Rev 11:2, 13:5) and is a false king even standing in the temple demanding to be worshiped as God! (2 Thes 2:4) We know his number is “666” (Rev 13:18), but did you know that “6” = Man/Beast/Serpent (Gen 1:25, 26, 31, 3:1). In “666” we also see this “trinity” (666) impersonating God. Now, the name “Jesus” in Greek is “888.” “8” is the number of “New Beginnings” (Gen 17:12). It is all interconnected from Genesis to Revelation! Each word and even the numbers in Scripture are divinely inspired and have a meaning that transcends the numbers themselves which point at truth! As an example: "40" is the number of "Testing to a Great Expansion of God" and "2" is the number of "Division and/or The Incarnate Son" (Who was "divided" from the Father when He came). Now look back at the number "42." For fun... consider what took place every time the number "40" appears! 40 Years... Moses was called to deliver Israel... Israel wandered in the wilderness, and then entered the Promised Land... David was king and then the temple came... 40 Days... Jesus’ was tempted in the wilderness and then began His public ministry! Most of us will say we believe Scripture is inspired with each word perfect... here we begin to literally see it and then know it! Blessings!
John Appelt
Supporter
The first three kings were over the whole nation of Israel: Saul, of Benjamin, ruled for 40 years, Acts 13:21. David, of Judah, ruled for 40 years, 2 Samuel 5:4. Solomon, son of David, ruled for 40 years, 1 Kings 11:42. After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam ruled, but during his reign the kingdom was divided. Jeroboam ruled over the ten tribes forming Israel to the north, while Rehoboam ruled the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which became the southern kingdom of Judah. THE KINGS OF ISRAEL: The kings of Israel were nine dynasties and all were bad kings: Jeroboam – dynasty 1 Nadab Baasha – dynasty 2 Elah Zimri – dynasty 3 Omri – dynasty 4 (Tibni was briefly a rival) Ahab Ahaziah Joram/Jehoram Jehu – dynasty 5 Jehoahaz Joash Jeroboam Zechariah Shallum – dynasty 6 Menahem – dynasty 7 Pekahiah Pekah – dynasty 8 Hoshea – dynasty 9 THE KINGS OF JUDAH: The kings of Judah were one dynasty of nineteen kings. The kings of Judah were graded by God as good or bad. Eleven of the kings were bad, but eight of the kings were good. These eight kings can be subdivided into two groups. Half of them were mediocre, often only compared to their fathers, whereas the other half were exceptional kings measuring up to the excellence of David, 1 Kings 15:5, Acts 13:22. References below are how the kings compared to or contrasted with David. Rehoboam - bad Abijah/Abijam – bad, 1 Kings 15:3 Asa – exceptional, 1 Kings 15:11 Jehoshaphat – exceptional, 2 Chronicles 17:3 Jehoram/Joram - bad Ahaziah – bad, 2 Kings 14:3 (Athaliah usurping queen) Joash/Jehoash - good Amaziah - good Uzziah/Azariah - good Jotham - good Ahaz – bad, 2 Kings 16:2, 2 Chronicles 28:1 Hezekiah – exceptional, 2 Chronicles 29:2 Manasseh - bad Amon - bad Josiah – exceptional, 2 Kings 22:2, 2 Chronicles 34:2 Jehoahaz - bad Jehoiakim - bad Jehoiachin - bad Zedekiah – bad As each of these kingdoms had 19 kings, with Israel having nine dynasties and Judah having one continual dynasty, each had equal opportunity to please God. Israel, the northern kingdom, did not last as long as Assyria took them into captivity. Judah, the southern kingdom did somewhat better, lasting over 100 years more, until she was taken into captivity by Babylon. The kingdom of Israel came to an end, but God had promised David an everlasting kingdom, 2 Samuel 7:16. This will be realized when Jesus, the Christ, descended from the kings of Judah, will be given the throne as Gabriel announced to Mary, Luke 1:32-33. Daniel describes Christ’s future kingdom in Daniel 7:14 as an everlasting dominion over all peoples, nations, and languages. While Jesus, the Son of David, the Messiah of the lineage of Judah is the king of the Jews, He has not yet received the kingdom. When He does, He will be the King of kings and Lord of lords, Revelation 19:16. His reign will be perfect peace, righteousness, and judgment, Jeremiah 23:5. He will far outshine King David and Judah’s exceptional kings.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom) Following the split, Israel had a succession of kings—none truly followed God and all were marked by spiritual decline: Jeroboam I (931–910 BC) Nadab (910–909 BC) Baasha (909–886 BC) Elah (886–885 BC) Zimri (885 BC) Omri (885–874 BC) Ahab (874–853 BC) Ahaziah (853–852 BC) Jehoram/Joram (852–841 BC) Jehu (841–814 BC) Jehoahaz (814–798 BC) Jehoash/Joash (798–782 BC) Jeroboam II (793–753 BC) Zechariah (753 BC) Shallum (752 BC) Menahem (752–742 BC) Pekahiah (742–740 BC) Pekah (752–732 BC) Hoshea (732–722 BC) Kingdom falls to Assyria in 722 BC. Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom) Judah’s monarchs—descendants of David—were a mixed bag, with a few righteous ones in the midst of many who strayed: Rehoboam (931–913 BC) Abijah (913–911 BC) Asa (911–870 BC) Jehoshaphat (873–848 BC) Jehoram (848–841 BC) Ahaziah (841 BC) Athaliah (queen, 841–835 BC) Joash/Jehoash (835–796 BC) Amaziah (796–767 BC) Uzziah/Azariah (790–739 BC) Jotham (750–731 BC) Ahaz (735–715 BC) Hezekiah (715–686 BC) Manasseh (695–642 BC) Amon (642–640 BC) Josiah (640–609 BC) Jehoahaz (609 BC) Jehoiakim (609–598 BC) Jehoiachin (597 BC) Zedekiah (597–586 BC) Kingdom falls to Babylon in 586 BC. --Answers based on BibleTrack and GotQuestions Application: The kings of Israel and Judah show a consistent pattern: those who walked obediently with the Lord, like David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, found God’s blessing, while those steeped in idolatry or who turned from Him faced judgment and collapse. Yet even in seasons of unfaithfulness, God preserved a remnant and kept His promise: “For the sake of His servant David, the Lord was unwilling to destroy Judah, since He had promised to give a lamp to David and to his sons forever” (2 Kings 8:19). This legacy points directly to the heart of the Gospel. God’s people failed again and again, but His promise of redemption remained sure. The fulfillment came in Jesus Christ, the perfect King from David’s line. Unlike the flawed rulers before Him, Jesus lived in perfect obedience, bore our sins on the cross, and rose again to bring reconciliation with God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Invitation: Accept the King If you are weary of failure, longing for a King who rules with justice and mercy, Jesus stands ready to receive you. He does not demand perfection before you come to Him; instead, He offers forgiveness, renewal, and a restored relationship with your Heavenly Father. Here’s how you can respond: Acknowledge your need for forgiveness. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) Believe in Jesus, who lived, died, and rose again to bring you God’s grace. (Acts 16:31) Receive Him as Lord and Savior, yielding your life to His reign. (John 1:12) Scripture assures us: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). Be bold. Today, turn from what cannot save you, and trust the true and lasting King, Jesus Christ. (Eph. 2:8-9)
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