Chart Of Kings Of Northern Kingdom Of Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was a political entity that existed in the ancient Near East from the 10th century BCE until its conquest by Assyria in 720 BCE. The kingdom was formed after the death of King Solomon and was ruled by a succession of kings. This article presents a chart of the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Jeroboam I
Jeroboam I was the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He reigned for 22 years, from around 922 BCE to around 901 BCE. Jeroboam I was a former officer in the army of King Solomon, and he rebelled against Solomon's son Rehoboam after Solomon's death. Jeroboam I set up two golden calves for the people of Israel to worship, which led to his condemnation by the prophets.
Nadab
Nadab was the son and successor of Jeroboam I. He reigned for two years, from around 901 BCE to around 900 BCE. Nadab was killed by Baasha, the commander of the Israelite army, while he was besieging the Philistine city of Gibbethon.
Baasha
Baasha was the commander of the Israelite army who killed Nadab and took the throne. He reigned for 24 years, from around 900 BCE to around 877 BCE. Baasha was a cruel and wicked king who was condemned by the prophets. He fought several wars against the Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Damascus.
Elah
Elah was the son and successor of Baasha. He reigned for two years, from around 877 BCE to around 876 BCE. Elah was assassinated by his own captain of the chariots, Zimri, who then took the throne.
Zimri
Zimri was the captain of the chariots who assassinated Elah and took the throne. He reigned for only seven days, from around 876 BCE to around 875 BCE. Zimri committed suicide by burning down the palace while he was inside it, after he was besieged by the Israelite army under the command of Omri.
Tibni and Omri
After the death of Zimri, the Israelites were divided between two claimants to the throne: Tibni and Omri. Tibni was supported by a faction of the Israelite nobility, while Omri was supported by the army. After a civil war that lasted for four years, Omri emerged as the victor and became king. He reigned for 12 years, from around 875 BCE to around 863 BCE. Omri was a great builder and founded the city of Samaria as his capital.
Ahab
Ahab was the son and successor of Omri. He reigned for 22 years, from around 863 BCE to around 852 BCE. Ahab was a powerful and wealthy king who married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess who introduced the worship of Baal to Israel. Ahab fought several wars against the Kingdom of Damascus and was killed in battle against the Assyrians.
Ahaziah
Ahaziah was the son and successor of Ahab. He reigned for two years, from around 852 BCE to around 851 BCE. Ahaziah was a weak and foolish king who was killed in a fall from the window of his palace in Samaria.
Joram
Joram was the brother and successor of Ahaziah. He reigned for 12 years, from around 851 BCE to around 841 BCE. Joram was a strong and capable king who fought several wars against the Kingdom of Damascus. He was killed by Jehu, a commander of the Israelite army who rebelled against him.
Jehu
Jehu was the commander of the Israelite army who rebelled against Joram and took the throne. He reigned for 28 years, from around 841 BCE to around 814 BCE. Jehu was a zealous reformer who destroyed the worship of Baal in Israel. He fought several wars against the Kingdom of Damascus and established a dynasty that lasted for four generations.
Jehoahaz
Jehoahaz was the son and successor of Jehu. He reigned for 17 years, from around 814 BCE to around 798 BCE. Jehoahaz was a weak and ineffective king who was oppressed by the Kingdom of Damascus and the Assyrian Empire.
Jehoash
Jehoash was the son and successor of Jehoahaz. He reigned for 16 years, from around 798 BCE to around 782 BCE. Jehoash was a strong and capable king who fought several wars against the Kingdom of Damascus and the Assyrian Empire. He was assassinated by his own servants.
Jeroboam II
Jeroboam II was the son and successor of Jehoash. He reigned for 41 years, from around 782 BCE to around 741 BCE. Jeroboam II was a powerful and prosperous king who expanded the borders of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and restored its former glory. He was a contemporary of the prophets Amos and Hosea.
Zechariah
Zechariah was the son and successor of Jeroboam II. He reigned for only six months, from around 741 BCE to around 740 BCE. Zechariah was assassinated by Shallum, one of his own officials.
Shallum
Shallum was the official who assassinated Zechariah and took the throne. He reigned for only one month, from around 740 BCE to around 739 BCE. Shallum was himself assassinated by Menahem, one of his own generals.
Menahem
Menahem was the general who assassinated Shallum and became king. He reigned for 10 years, from around 739 BCE to around 729 BCE. Menahem was a cruel and oppressive king who paid tribute to the Assyrian Empire to maintain his power.
Pekahiah
Pekahiah was the son and successor of Menahem. He reigned for two years, from around 729 BCE to around 727 BCE. Pekahiah was a weak and ineffective king who was assassinated by Pekah, one of his own officers.
Pekah
Pekah was the officer who assassinated Pekahiah and took the throne. He reigned for 20 years, from around 727 BCE to around 707 BCE. Pekah was a powerful and ambitious king who formed an alliance with the Kingdom of Damascus against the Assyrian Empire. He was assassinated by Hoshea, one of his own officers.
Hoshea
Hoshea was the officer who assassinated Pekah and became king. He reigned for nine years, from around 707 BCE to around 698 BCE. Hoshea was a weak and subservient king who paid tribute to the Assyrian Empire. His reign marked the end of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was conquered by the Assyrians in 720 BCE.
Conclusion
The chart of kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel provides a glimpse into the political history of ancient Israel. The kingdom was marked by a succession of kings who were often weak and ineffective, and who were frequently oppressed by the empires of their time. Despite this, the Northern Kingdom of Israel produced several powerful and prosperous kings, such as Jeroboam II, who expanded the borders of the kingdom and restored its former glory. The chart of kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel is an important historical document that sheds light on the political and social dynamics of ancient Israel.
