Kings of Israel and Judah

Jehu
Israel (Northern Kingdom)
Prophets: Elisha
Founder of the longest-lived dynasty in Israel, he was son of Jehoshaphat. He killed the house of Ahab, including the wicked Jezebel, but allowed worship of God to be linked with Baal worship. Ignored crumbling economy and foreign alliances. Lost territory east of Jordan to Damascus. Black Obelisk depicts his submission to Shalmaneser III of Assyria.

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Jehoahaz
Israel (Northern Kingdom)
His spiritual and political behavior caused the Northern Kingdom to lose even more territory. Syrians under Hazael and Ben-Hadad took heavy toll. Near the end of his life, Jehoahaz prayed for help.

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Jehoash
Israel (Northern Kingdom)
Prophets: Elisha, Jonah
His father’s prayer answered as war with Syria turned in Israel’s favor. Recovered territory lost by his father. Attacked by Amaziah of Judah, so Jehoash punished Jerusalem by breaching the walls and taking captives and treasures.

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The Jewish kings ruled over vastly different kingdoms in different periods of history. Starting in the early iron age with Saul, several kings ruled over an expanding, "United Kingdom." After the death of Solomon a fissure developed, with ten tribes separating into the Northern Kingdom of "Israel..."

( see table )

and the tribes of Benjamin and Judah continuing the Davidic line in the Southern Kingdom of "Judah."

( see table )

After the north was conquered by Assyria and the south by Babylon, a Jewish kingdom did not reappear until the second century BC with the establishment of the Hasmonean dynasty. The Hasmoneans were then followed in the first century BC by the Herodian rulers, this final group being clients of Rome, (and actually Idumean).