Kings of Israel and Judah

Athaliah
Hebrew Name: Atalya bat 'Omri
Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Daughter of Jezebel, she was the only queen either kingdom ever had. Promoted worship of Baal. She seized power after her son Ahaziah’s death by massacring heirs to the throne – only Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, escaped when he was hidden in the Temple by the priest Jehoiada.

When he was seven, Joash was crowned king in the Temple under armed guard, replacing Athaliah.

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Joash
Hebrew Name: Yeho'ash ben 'Achazyahu,
Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Prophets: Jonah
Although he had been saved and enthroned by Jehoiada, the priest, and restored the Temple, Joash allowed idol worship after death of Jehoiada. Ultimately came under God’s judgment for murder of Zechariah, son of the priest. Joash lost the Temple treasures when King Hazael of Aram-Damascus threatened Jerusalem. He was killed by own officers.

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Amaziah
Hebrew Name: Amatzyah ben Yehoash
Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Prophets: Amos, Hosea
Amaziah, age 25, took a census to conscript an army. In a successful war against Edomites he recovered trade routes to the Gulf of Aqaba. Then he erred by challenging Israel. He was defeated by King Joash of Israel, who destroyed part of Jerusalem’s walls and took hostages and spoils. Amaziah turned from following the Lord and his people killed him at the fortress of Lachish.

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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).