The Kings of Israel

Jeroboam,

He was an Ephraimite, the son of Nebat. He revolted against Rehoboam, and became the first Israel King. 1 Kings 11:26 to 14:20; 2 Chronicles 10:2 to 13:20.

Jereboam was a youth who Solomon was in charge of building the Millo. The oppressive practice of Solomon lead him to revolt and he ended up in Egypt until Solomon died.

Ahijah’s prophecy of the future. 1 Kings 9:29ff.

"29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes."

Jeroboam, caused divine wrath by building two rival places of worship, in Dan and Bethel, to Jerusalem. They were not true worship places joining Yahweh with Baal worship. All his followers continued his / their sins.

Nadab,

Son of Jeroboam, Ruled about a year. Then was assassinated and succeeded by Baasha, while besieging Philistine town Gibbethon. 1 Kings 14:20; 15:25-28.

Baasha,

Baasha exterminated the whole family of Jeroboam, thus fulfilling the prophecy. Active hostility between Judah and Israel continued throughout the twenty-four years of his reign. 1 Kings 15:32. He continued the religious policy of Jeroboam. 1 Kings 16:1ff.

Elah,

Son of Baasha, reigned for two years until assassinated by Zimri during a drunken orgy in the house of Arza. 1 Kings 16:6-14.

Zimri,

1 Kings 16:9-20. Reigned in Tirzah for only a week following the assassination of Baasha, he lacked popular support. Omri attacked Tirzah, and the city fell. Zimri was burnt down in the palace.

Tibni & Omri,

Omri was with the Israelite army, besieging Gibbethon when he heard of Zimri assassination of Baasha. The army sellected Omri as the the next leader and attacked Zimri. Further opposition came from Tibni, and after four years, Tibni was killed. Omri chose the hill in Samaria as the capital. He used the location to repulse Syrian and Assyian attacks. Eventually lost after a three year siege to Sargon, A Syrian. Apparently, to improve his position he married his son, Ahab, to the High priest of Tyre and daughter of the king. Little is recorded of his reign of twelve years. he is reported as "25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him."

Ahab,

Son of Omri, reigned forty-two years. Married Jezebel, daughter of King Ethbaal, Sidon.

Ahab carried out extensive fortification of Israel cities. Own palace covered in Ivory. His religion was influenced by his wife, who he allowed to build a temple to Baal. She had a large group of false prophets to Baal, later she instigated opposition to Yahweh, which resulted in the demonstration at Carmel. Ahab had Elijah, a prophet, He was continually dealing with Elijah.

There were regular wars with Syria. .A later battle with Syria, when he and King Jehoshaphat were together, Ahab was in a disguise, but a stray arrow hit him, He died, as God had said. 1 Kings 22:1ff

Ahaziah,

Son of Ahab. reigned for two years, but influenced by his mother, Jezebel. Requested help from Baalzebub, god of Ekron, after he fell through a lattice in an upper room. He died.

Jehoram,( Joram,)

Second son of Ahab. Abandoned the worship of Baal. Elisha’s comments, suggest separation not complete. 2 Kings 3:13. Jehoram tried to conquer Moab. He died during a battle with Jehu, by an arrow wound.

Jehu,

Son of Jehosphat,rose to power by ambition, though during the reign of Ahab, God had designated Jehu as an instrument of judgement. Jehu was commander of the army when Elisha sent a prophet to the anointed Jehu, King of Israel, and he was told by God to exterminate all Ahab’s family. Jehu wasted no time in doing this. Jezebel was thrown down and died as predicted by Elijah, 2 Kings 9:36,37. The local loyal followers of Jehu killed all seventy Ahab family. Forty-two relatives of Ahaziah and all worshippers of Baal in the temple were also destroyed

Once this was done we saw the mind of Jehu, with his corrupt worship, Yahweh and bull images at Dan and Bethel, 2 Kings 10:29-31. Under his control Israel failed to prosper. Syria attacked and overran all the territory east of the Jordan.

Jehoahaz,

Son of Jehu. His reign was very poor. Divine punishment was used by the Syrians to take heavy toll of the people. It was so bad Jehoahaz even prayed to Yahweh for his deliverance, it later came by his son Joash.

Joash or Jehoash,

Son of Jehoahaz. 2 Kings 13:10-25; 14:8-16; 2 Chronicles 25:17-24. Appeared to have a successful reign. War with Syria was stopped by action of Assyria. Joash reluctantly compelled challenge by Amaziah of Judah. He won and despoiled Jerusalem, taking hostages to control Amaziah. Joash died soon after.

Jeroboam 2,

2 Kings 14:23-29. Carried on Jehoash’s policies.

"23 reigned forty and one years.
24 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin."

The period had comparative freedom from foreign attacks.

Zechariah,

2 Kings 14:29. 29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead. 2 Kings 15:8,11. 8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months. 11 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Shallum,

2 Kings 15:10-15.

"10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead."

"11 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
12 This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.
13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
15 And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

Pekahiah,

Son of Menahem, Assassinated in second year of reign. Continued as father with submission to Assyria. Pekah, who carried out assassination while in keep at Samaria. 2 Kings 15:23-25.

"23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years.
24 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room."

Hoshea,

2 Kings 15:30.

"And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah."

"33 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.
34 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done."

However he did not remove the high places.

The area has now came under the control of Assyria.