KingsStats

(NB. The references in the left hand column refer to the kings of Judah while the ones in the far right column refer to the kings of Israel . You will note that the kings of Israel are only mentioned in 2 Chronicles as asides to the main accounts about the kings of Judah.)

JUDAH

ISRAEL

1 Kings 11:43-12:24

1 Kings 14:21 -31

2Chr 10:1 – 12:16

Rehoboam 930BC

(17yrs)

Jeroboam 930BC

(22yrs)

1 Kings 11:26 -40

12:25 -13:8,33,34

14:1-20

2 Chron13:2-20

1 Kings 15:1-8

2Chr 13:1 – 14:1

Abijah 913BC

(3 yrs)

1 Kings 15:9-24

2Chr 14:1 – 16:14

Asa 910BC

(41yrs)

Nadab 909BC

(2yrs)

1 Kings 15:25 -28

Baasha 908BC

(24yrs)

1 Kings 15:27 -16:7

2 Chron 16:1-6

Elah 886BC

(2yrs)

1 Kings 16:8-14

Zimri 885BC

(7 days)

1 Kings 16:15 -20

Omri 886BC

(12yrs)

1 Kings 16:21 -28

1 Kings 22:41 -50

2Chr 17:1 – 21:3

Jehoshaphat 872BC

(25yrs)

Ahab 874BC

(22yrs)

1 Kings 16:29 -33, 18:1-19:2, 20:1-22:40

2 Chron 18:1-34

Ahaziah 853BC

(2yrs)

1 Kings 22:51 -53

2 Kings 1:1-18

2 Chron 20:35-37

2 Kings 8:16-24

2Chr 21:4-20

Jehoram 853BC

(8yrs)

Joram 852BC

(12yrs)

2 Kings 3:1-27, 9:14-26

2 Chron 22:5-9

2 Kings 8:25-29, 9:27 -29 2Chr 22:1-9

Ahaziah 841BC

(1yr)

Jehu 841BC

(28yrs)

2 Kings 9:1-10:36

2 Kings 11:1-21

2Chr 22:10 – 23:21

Athaliah 841BC

(6yrs)

2 Kings 12:1-21

2Chr 24:1-27

Joash 835BC

(40yrs)

Jehoahaz 814BC

(17yrs)

2 Kings 13:1-9

2 Kings 14:1-20

2Chr 25:1-28

Amaziah 796BC

(29yrs)

Jehoash 798BC

(16yrs)

2 Kings 13:10-13

2 Chron 25:17-24

2 Kings 15:1-7

2Chr 26:1-23

Uzziah 791BC

[Azariah – co-regent initially ] (52yrs)

Jeroboam II 793BC

[co-regent initially] (41yrs)

2 Kings 14:23-29

Zechariah 753BC

(6 months)

2 Kings 15:8-12

Shallum 752BC

(1 month)

2 Kings 15:13-16

2 Kings 15:32-38

2Chr 27:1-9

Jotham 750BC

(16yrs)

Menahem 752BC

(10yrs)

2 Kings 15:17-22

Peckahiah 742BC

(2yrs)

2 Kings 15:23-26

2 Kings 16:1-20

2Chr 28:1-27

Ahaz 735BC

(16yrs)

Peckah 740BC

(8 yrs)

2 Kings 15:27-31

2 Chron 28:5c-15

Hoshea 732BC

(9yrs)

2 Kings 17:1-6

END 722BC

DESTRUCTION

2 Kings 17:3-41

2 Kings 18:1 – 20:21

2Chr 29:1 – 32:33

Hezekiah 715BC

(29yrs)

2 Kings 21:1-18

2Chr 33:1-20

Manasseh 697BC

(55yrs)

2 Kings 21:19-26

2Chr 33:21-25

Amon 642BC

(2yrs)

2 Kings 22:1 - 23:30

2Chr 34:1 – 35:27

Josiah 640BC

(31yrs)

2 Kings 23:31-33

2Chron 36:1-4

Jehoahaz 609BC

(3 months)

2 Kings 23:34 – 24:6

2Chr 36:5-8

Jehoiakim 609BC

(11yrs)

2 Kings 24:8-15,

2 Kings 25:27-30

2Chr 36:9-10

Jehoiachin 598BC

(3 months)

2 Kings 24:17 – 25:7

2Chr 36:11-14

Zedekiah 597BC

(11yrs)

2 Kings 25:8-26

2Chr 36:15-23

END 586BC

EXILE

The Main Towns referred to in 1 & 2 Kings

A number of towns are mentioned in the history of these two books, and if you have a map in the back of your Bible, you would do well to look them up at the outset, so that you more fully understand all that is happening.

Jerusalem

Original capital of Israel , and then of the southern kingdom, Judah. Little to do with the kings of the northern kingdom.

Bethel

On what became the border of Israel and Judah , the place in the south of the northern kingdom where Jeroboam set up a calf to be worshipped (1 Kings 12:28,29)

Tirzah

A town in the centre of Israel where Jeroboam settled at the start of the northern kingdom and where his son died (1 Kings 14:17).

Baasha also later reigned from there (1 Kings 15:33) as did Elah (1 Kings 16:8), then Zimri (1 Kings 16:15) and finally Omri (1 Kings 16:23) before moving to Samaria.

Samaria

Located in the central area of Israel , it became the capital of the northern kingdom where the kings of Israel lived. Built by Omri (1 Kings 16:24), then used by Ahab (1 Kings 16:29) and subsequent king of Israel.

Shiloh

A town in the southern part of the northern kingdom where Ahijah the prophet lived (1 Kings 14:2)

Jezreel

A town in the north in the area, which in Jesus' time we refer to as Galilee, became Ahab's summer residence (1 Kings 18:45),where Joram rested after battle (2 Kings 8:29) and Jezebel died (2 Kings 9:30 -) and Ahab's family were killed (2 Kings 10:11)

Damascus

The capital of Syria (Aram) to the north east of Israel (1 Kings 15:18)

Ramoth Gilead

A town in the north east of Israel , that had been taken by Aram from Israel (1 Kings 22:3) that Ahab wanted to get back. It was there years later that Joram was wounded (2 Kings 8:28 ,29) It was also where Jehu was anointed (2 Kings 9:1-6)

In addition to the location of the towns you may also wish to note the location of Mount Carmel which was in the far north west of Israel .

God's Word coming to kings of Israel in 1 & 2 Kings

Reference

Prophet

Recipient

Content

1 Kings 11:11 -13

?directly

Solomon

God will split the kingdom away from Solomon's family because of his sin

Fulfilled: 1 Kings 11:26- Jeroboam's rebellion

1 Kings 11:29 -39

Ahijah

Jeroboam

God will tear away ten tribes and give them to Jeroboam. If he follows the Lord his family will prosper.

Fulfilled: 1 Kings 12 – Jeroboam's rebellion

1 Kings 12:22 -24

Shemaiah

Rehoboam

Don't fight the breakaway tribes.

Fulfilled: The don't fight

1Kings 13:1-3

A man of God

Jeroboam

The false priests will be killed by Josiah at Bethel

Fulfilled: 300 years later – 2 Kings 23:15 -20

1 Kings 14:7-16

Ahijah

Jeroboam's wife

You have done evil and your family will be destroyed and Israel will eventually be destroyed because of your sin.

Fulfilled: By Baasha – 1 Kings 15:27 -30

1 Kings 16:1-4

Jehu

Baasha

You have sinned so your house will be wiped out.

Fulfilled: By Zimri – 1 Kings 16:9-13

1 Kings 17:1

Elijah

Ahab

Drought for 3 years

Fulfilled: 1 Kings 18:1 - 3 years without rain

1 Kings 18:1,2

Elijah

Ahab

Drought will now end

Fulfilled: 1 Kings 18:45 - it rains

1 Kings 20:13 -14

A prophet

Ahab

God will defeat the army of Aram . The young officers will do it.

Fulfilled: victory – 1 Kings 20:19-21

1 Kings 20:22

Same prophet

Ahab

Strengthen yourselves, he'll be back next Spring

Fulfilled: 1 Kings 20:26 They return

1 Kings 20:28

Same prophet

Ahab

God will defeat this vast army

Fulfilled: 1 Kings 20:29,30 – victory

1 Kings 20:39 -42

Son of a prophet

Ahab

Your life is forfeit because you spared the enemy king

Fulfilled: see below

1 Kings 21:17 -24

Elijah

Ahab

For murdering Naboth you will die and your family and wife

Fulfilled: Because Ahab fasted the Lord lifted the immediate death sentence (v.28,29)(2 Kings 10:17)

1 Kings 22:17 -23

Micaiah

Ahab

You will be defeated because you will believe the lying spirit in your prophets.

Fulfilled: Ahab killed in battle (1 Kings 22:34,35)

2 Kings 1:3,4

Elijah

Ahaziah

You will not recover and die

Fulfilled: He dies (2 Kings 1:17)

2 Kings 3:17-19

Elisha

Joram

You will defeat Moab

Fulfilled: Israel defeat them (2 Kings 3:24)

2 Kings 6:9

Elisha

Joram

Warns where the army of Aram was

2 Kings 7:1,2

Elisha

Joram

Siege of Samaria will be ended

Fulfilled: Army fled (2 Kings 7:6)

2 Kings 8:10

Elisha

Hazael

Ben-Hadad will die

Fulfilled: Hazael kills him (2 Kings 8:15)

2 Kings 9:1-3

Elisha

Jehu

(Via another prophet) Wipe out Ahab's house

Fulfilled: Kills Joram (2 Kings 9:24)

2 Kings 10:30

?direct

Jehu

You house will survive to 4 th generation

Fulfilled: Exactly (2 Kings 15:12)

2 Kings 13:19

Elisha

Jehoash

You will defeat Aram 3 times

Fulfilled: Exactly (2 Kings 13:25)

What may appear surprising at first sight from this table is that all of these kings were living sinful lives by not taking their responsibility for the covenant people of God, and yet the Lord still spoke to them.

These kings might have been irresponsible and godless but they still belong to the people that have been called by God to be His people and so they are still in some form of relationship with Him, whether they like it or not.

The Kings as seen in the books of 1 & 2 Kings

As an overview, it is useful to see how the writer(s) of 1 & 2 Kings spread their records of the kings.

JUDAH

ISRAEL

1 Kings 1

David

1 Kings 2

David & Solomon

1 Kings 3-11

Solomon

1 Kings 12

Rehoboam

Jeroboam

1 Kings 13

Jeroboam

1 Kings 14

Rehoboam

Jeroboam

1 Kings 15

Abijah & Asa

Nadab & Baasha

1 Kings 16

Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Ahab

1 Kings 17

(Elijah)

1 Kings 18

Ahab (Elijah)

1 Kings 19

Ahab (Elijah & Elisha)

1 Kings 20

Ahab

1 Kings 21

Ahab (Elijah)

1 Kings 22

Jehoshaphat

Ahab & Ahaziah

2 Kings 1

Ahaziah (Elijah)

2 Kings 2

(Elijah & Elisha)

2 Kings 3

Jehoshaphat

Joram (Elisha)

2 Kings 4-7

(Elisha)

2 Kings 8

Jehoram & Ahaziah

(Elisha)

2 Kings 9 & 10

Jehu

2 Kings 11

Athaliah & Joash

2 Kings 12

Joash

2 Kings 13

Jehoahaz & Jehoash

2 Kings 14

Amaziah

Jeroboam II

2 Kings 15

Azariah (i.e. Uzziah), Jotham

Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Peckahiah, Pekah

2 Kings 16

Ahaz

2 Kings 17

Hoshea, fall of Samaria

2 Kings 18-20

Hezekiah

2 Kings 21

Manasseh & Amon

2 Kings 22

Josiah

2 Kings 23

Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim

2 Kings 24

Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah

2 Kings 25

Fall of Jerusalem

Summary of the conflicts between Israel & Aram in 1 & 2 Kings

Ref

Conflict

1 Kings 15:19

King Baasha obviously had a treaty with Ben-Hadad which was then broken by Aram who attacked Israel (v.20). See also 2 Chron 16:1-6

1 Kings 20

Ben-Hadad besieges king AHAB in Samaria . A prophet brings guidance and Aram are defeated.

1 Kings 22

Israel and Judah unite to reclaim their lands being held by Aram . Micaiah the prophet warns Ahab of defeat, but he ignores the warning and is killed fighting against Aram.

2 Kings 5:2

Marauding bands from Aram obviously still ravaged parts of Israel.

2 Kings 6:8-

Aram tries to ambush the king of Israel but Elisha keeps warning him so Aram besiege Dothan to try to capture Elisha but end of being blinded and captured.

2 Kings 6:24-

Ben-Hadad besieges Samaria a second time – now king JORAM. God deals with the army (7:6).

2 Kings 8:7-

Elisha prophesies in Damascus over Hazael and as a result he kills Ben-Hadad and reigns in his stead.

2 Kings 8:28-

Joram wounded in battle against Aram.

2 Kings 10:32-

Hazael takes the land to the east of the Jordan from Israel.

2 Kings 13:3,25

Jehoahaz suppressed by Hazael.

2 Kings 13:25

Jehoash takes land back from Aram (Ben-Hadad III – see below).

2 Kings 14:28

Jeroboam II took Damascus . NB. This is the last reference to Aram during the reigns of the kings of Israel although Rezin came against Judah .

Note 1: Older translations use the word ‘ Syria ' instead of Aram , but the designation of this city state based on Damascus didn't become Syria until some centuries later.

Note 2: The rulers of Aram :

History is not very clear about these timings so what follows is somewhat speculative. It is likely that there were 2 or 3 kings named Ben-Haddad. Possibly:

Ben-Hadad I – about 900 to about 860, during Baasha's reign.

Beh-Hadad II – possibly about 860 to 843, during Ahab's reign (though this could be the first king ruling through from about 900 to 843) and through to near end of Joram's reign

Hazael – 843 to 796

Ben-Hadad III – 796 to 770, in reign of Jehoash

Rezin – perhaps 750 to 732 during the reigns of some of the last kings of Israel but only mentioned as attacking Judah .

In 732 Damascus finally fell to Assyria

The Role of Assyria at the end of the northern kingdom

Reference

King of Israel

Activity

2 Kings 15:19

Menahem

King Pul (Tiglath-Pileser) invaded and took tribute.

2 Kings 15:29

Pekah

Tiglath-Pileser captured the north (Galilee etc.) and deported the people.

2 Kings 17:3

Hoshea

Shalmaneser deported all the people of the northern kingdom.

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