The history of Old Testament kings spans from the creation of the Israelite monarchy under Saul around 1050 BC to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
1. The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BC)
Before the nation divided, three kings ruled over all twelve tribes of Israel:
- Saul (~1050–1010 BC): First king of Israel (tribe of Benjamin).
- David (~1010–970 BC): Saul’s son-in-law and former armor-bearer (tribe of Judah). Established Jerusalem as capital.
- Solomon (~970–931 BC): David’s son with Bathsheba. Built the First Temple in Jerusalem.
2. The Divided Kingdom (~930 BC)
After Solomon died, heavy taxation led to a civil split:
- Southern Kingdom (Judah): 2 tribes (Judah & Benjamin). Retained Jerusalem and the Davidic Dynasty (father-to-son succession).
- Northern Kingdom (Israel): 10 tribes. Capital at Samaria. Characterized by political instability, military coups, and 9 different ruling dynasties.
3. Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom: 930–586 BC)
All kings of Judah belonged to King David’s direct lineage, with one brief usurpation by Queen Athaliah.
| King | Dates (Approx.) | Relationship to Predecessor |
| Rehoboam | 931–913 BC | Son of Solomon |
| Abijah | 913–911 BC | Son of Rehoboam |
| Asa | 911–870 BC | Son of Abijah |
| Jehoshaphat | 870–848 BC | Son of Asa |
| Jehoram | 848–841 BC | Son of Jehoshaphat (Married Athaliah, daughter of King Ahab of Israel) |
| Ahaziah | 841 BC | Son of Jehoram |
| Athaliah | 841–835 BC | Mother of Ahaziah (Usurper; killed royal heirs except Joash) |
| Joash | 835–796 BC | Son of Ahaziah (Rescued and hidden as an infant) |
| Amaziah | 796–767 BC | Son of Joash |
| Uzziah (Azariah) | 767–740 BC | Son of Amaziah |
| Jotham | 740–732 BC | Son of Uzziah |
| Ahaz | 732–716 BC | Son of Jotham |
| Hezekiah | 716–687 BC | Son of Ahaz |
| Manasseh | 687–642 BC | Son of Hezekiah |
| Amon | 642–640 BC | Son of Manasseh |
| Josiah | 640–609 BC | Son of Amon |
| Jehoahaz | 609 BC | Son of Josiah |
| Jehoiakim | 609–598 BC | Son of Josiah (Brother of Jehoahaz) |
| Jehoiachin | 598–597 BC | Son of Jehoiakim |
| Zedekiah | 597–586 BC | Son of Josiah (Uncle of Jehoiachin; last king before Babylonian exile) |
4. Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom: 930–722 BC)
Unlike Judah, the Northern Kingdom of Israel experienced 9 distinct dynasties characterized by frequent assassinations and military overthrows:
- 1st Dynasty (Jeroboam): Jeroboam I ——> Nadab (son; assassinated by Baasha)
- 2nd Dynasty (Baasha): Baasha ——> Elah (son; assassinated by Zimri)
- 3rd Dynasty: Zimri (ruled 7 days; committed suicide)
- 4th Dynasty: Tibni (competed for the throne during a civil war)
- 5th Dynasty (Omri): Omri ——> Ahab (son) $\rightarrow$ Ahaziah (son) $\rightarrow$ Joram (brother; killed by Jehu)
- 6th Dynasty (Jehu): Jehu ——> Jehoahaz (son) $\rightarrow$ Jehoash (son) $\rightarrow$ Jeroboam II (son) $\rightarrow$ Zechariah (son; assassinated by Shallum)
- 7th Dynasty: Shallum (ruled 1 month; assassinated by Menahem)
- 8th Dynasty (Menahem): Menahem ——> Pekahiah (son; assassinated by Pekah)
- 9th Dynasty: Pekah (assassinated by Hoshea) ——> Hoshea (last king; northern kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC)