Kings of Israel and Judah

Hezekiah
Hebrew Name: Chizeqiyahu ben 'Achaz,
Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Prophets: Joel, Micah, Nahum
Judah was no more than an Assyrian vassal when able Hezekiah came to the throne at age 25. As Assyrian power was declining, he risked restoring Israelite worship in Jerusalem and inviting the people of Israel to participate, acts that gave him strong backing from the prophet Isaiah.

Knowing war was inevitable, Hezekiah produced large numbers of weapons, constructed storehouses for staples, and improved the capacity of Jerusalem’s water supply to withstand siege. Against Isaiah’s advice, he joined an anti-Assyrian coalition that resulted in the destruction of Lachish and heavy tribute being imposed on Jerusalem. Despite a siege, Jerusalem was spared.

See Details

Manasseh
Hebrew Name: Menashe ben Chizeqiyahu
Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Prophets: Isaiah, Nahum
Made king at age 12, he is noted for the restoration of pagan cults, continued tribute to Assyria and generally being one of Judah’s worst kings. However, later in life he called on God in distress, repented and ordered the people to worship God. He rebuilt the wall of City of David.

See Details

Amon
Hebrew Name: 'Amon ben Menashe
Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Prophets: Nahum
Reigned for 2 years. Continued idolatrous practices and was assassinated by his own officers.

See Details

Select Pages

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Details

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).