Kings of Israel and Judah

"Kings of the Jews" redirects here. For other uses, see King of the Jews.

Coronation of David, as depicted in the Paris Psalter.

The article deals with the biblical and historical kings of the Land of Israel—Abimelech of Sichem, the three kings of the United Kingdom of Israel and those of its successor states, Israel and Judah, followed in the Second Temple period, part of classical antiquity, by the kingdoms ruled by the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties.

The Hebrew Bible describes a succession of kings of a United Kingdom of Israel, and then of divided kingdoms, Israel and Judah.

In contemporary scholarship, the united monarchy is debated, due to a lack of archaeological evidence for it. It is generally accepted that a "House of David" existed, but some scholars believe that David could have only been the king or chieftain of Judah, which was likely small, and that the northern kingdom was a separate development. There are some dissenters to this view, including those who support the traditional narrative, and those who support the united monarchy's existence but believe that the Bible contains theological exaggerations.

Overview tables

Kings and prophets

Table: kings and prophets

This table describes the kings, their parents, age they lived, the prophets who influenced them, and the emperors they encountered in battle.

Diagrams, Saul to Zedekiah

Summary diagram

Family tree

Saul King of the United Monarchy: r. 1050–1012 BCE Eshbaal (Ishbosheth) King of the United Monarchy: r. 1012–1010 BCE Bathsheba David King of the United Monarchy: r. 1010–970 BCE Maacah Naamah Solomon King of the United Monarchy: r. 970–931 BCE Absalom Jeroboam King of Israel: r. 931–910 BCE Rehoboam King of Judah: r. 931–913 BCE Uriel Nadab King of Israel: r. 910–909 BCE Baasha King of Israel: r. 909–886 BCE Maacah Queen Mother of Judah: r. 910–895 BCE Elah King of Israel: r. 886–885 BCE ? Abijam King of Judah: r. 913–910 BCE Zimri King of Israel: r. 885 BCE Asa King of Judah: r. 910–870 BCE Azubah Omri King of Israel: r. 884–874 BCE Jehoshaphat King of Judah: r. 870–849 BCE Jezebel Ahab King of Israel: r. 871–852 BCE Jehoram King of Judah: r. 849–842 BCE Athaliah Queen of Judah: r. 842–835 BCE Joram King of Israel: r. 849–837 BCE Ahaziah King of Israel: r. 850–849 BCE Jehu King of Israel: r. 840—814 BCE Ahaziah King of Judah: r. 842–841 BCE Zibiah Jehosheba Jehoiada Jehoahaz King of Israel: r. 814—798 BCE Jehoash King of Judah: r. 836–796 BCE Jehoaddan Jehoash King of Israel: r. 798—782 BCE Amaziah King of Judah: r. 796–767 BCE Jecoliah Amoz Jeroboam II King of Israel: r. 782—753 BCE Uzziah King of Judah: r. 783–742 BCE Jerusha Isaiah Zechariah King of Israel: r. 753—752 BCE Shallum King of Israel: r. 752 BCE Menahem King of Israel: r. 752—742 BCE Jotham King of Judah: r. 742–735 BCE ? Hephzibah Pekahiah King of Israel: r. 742—740 BCE Pekah King of Israel: r. 740—732 BCE Ahaz King of Judah: r. 732–716 BCE Abijah Hoshea King of Israel: r. 732–721 BCE Hezekiah King of Judah: r. 716–687 BCE Manasseh King of Judah: r. 697–643 BCE Meshullemeth Amon King of Judah: r. 643–610 BCE Jedidah Josiah King of Judah: r. 640–609 BCE Jehoiakim King of Judah: r. 609–598 BCE Nehushta Jehoahaz King of Judah: r. 609 BCE Zedekiah King of Judah: r. 596–586 BCE Jehoiachin King of Judah: r. 598–597 BCE

Abimelech, son of Gideon

• Abimelech – the son of Gideon, was the first man declared a king in the Land Israel; he ruled from Sichem over the territory of Manasseh.

House of Saul

Further information: House of Saul

Saul and David by Rembrandt

According to the Bible, the Tribes of Israel lived as a confederation under ad hoc charismatic leaders called judges. In around 1020 BCE, under extreme threat from foreign peoples, the tribes united to form the first United Kingdom of Israel. Samuel anointed Saul from the Tribe of Benjamin as the first king.

• Saul (1020–1000 BCE) or (1040-1000 BCE)
• Ish-bosheth (Esbaal) (1000–991 BCE)

House of David: united monarchy

Main article: Davidic line

The Tel Dan Stele with reference to the "House of David"

Albright	Thiele	Galil	Kitchen	Common/ Biblical name	Regnal Name and style	Notes
1000–962		1010–970	1010–970	David	דוד בן-ישי מלך ישראל David ben Yishai, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Judah for 7 years in Hebron, then Israel & Judah in Jerusalem for 33 years; 40 years in total. Death: natural causes
962–922		970–931	971–931	Solomon	שלמה בן-דוד מלך ישראל Shelomo ben David, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel & Judah in Jerusalem for 40 years. Death: natural causes Son of David by Bathsheba, his rights of succession were disputed by his older half-brother Adonijah
922–915	931–913	931–914	931–915	Rehoboam	רחבעם בן-שלמה מלך יהודה Rechav'am ben Shlomo, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 17 years. After 3 years, the kingdom was split into the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Death: natural causes

Separation into two kingdoms

After Rehoboam reigned three years, the United Kingdom of Israel was divided in two – the northern Kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, with its capital, first in Shechem, then Penuel, Tirzah, and finally Samaria, and ruled by a series of dynasties beginning with Jeroboam; and the southern Kingdom of Judah with its capital still in Jerusalem and ruled by the House of David. Under Hezekiah's rule in the Kingdom of Judah, the Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered and destroyed the northern kingdom 722 BCE leaving only the southern kingdom of Judah.

The Bible judges all kings of Israel and Judah by their attitude towards Yahwism, and on this basis they all belong to one of the three categories: the good kings, the bad kings, and the kings who acted both good as well as bad.

All kings of Israel are considered to be bad, except of Jehu who is considered to have acted both good, since he is credited with the suppression of a cult of Baal, as well as bad, since he failed to suppress a cult of golden calves in Bethel and Dan.

Amongst kings of Judah, five of them are judged to have acted good throughout their reign: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah, whereas Jehoash, Amaziah, Uzziah and Manasseh are all described as kings who acted good as well as bad during their reign. The remaining monarchs are considered to have acted bad throughout their reign.

Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)

Albright	Thiele	Galil	Kitchen	Common/Biblical name	Regnal Name and style	Notes
The House of Jeroboam
922–901 BCE	931–910 BCE	931–909 BCE	931–911 BCE	Jeroboam I	ירבעם בֵּן-נבט מלך ישראל Yarob'am ben Nevat, Melekh Yisra'el	Led the rebellion and divided the kingdoms. Reigned in Israel (Northern Kingdom) for 22 years. Death: Natural Causes
901–900 BCE	910–909 BCE	909–908 BCE	911–910 BCE	Nadab	נדב בֵּן-ירבעם מלך ישראל Nadav ben Yarob'am, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned in Israel for 2 years. Death: Killed by Baasha, son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar, along with his whole family.
The House of Baasha
900–877 BCE	909–886 BCE	908–885 BCE	910–887 BCE	Baasha	בעשא בֵּן-אחיה מלך ישראל Ba'sha ben Achiyah, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Tirzah for 24 years. Death: Natural Causes
877–876 BCE	886–885 BCE	885–884 BCE	887–886 BCE	Elah	אלה בֵּן-בעשא מלך ישראל 'Ela ben Ba'sha, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Tirzah for 2 years. Death: Zimri, one of his officials, got him drunk and killed him at his house in Azra.
The House of Zimri
876 BCE	885 BCE	884 BCE	886 BCE	Zimri	זמרי מלך ישראל Zimri, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Tirzah for 7 days. Death: He set his palace on fire when Omri and all the Israelites with him withdrew from Gibbethon and laid siege to Tirzah.
The House of Tibni
876–871 BCE	885–880 BCE	–	–	Tibni	תבני מלך ישראל Tibni, Melekh Yisra'el	Rival claimant to Omri, reigned for several years. Death: Was apparently killed while assailed by the soldiers of Omri – his death is recorded, but the circumstances surrounding it go unexplained.
The House of Omri
876–869 BCE	885–874 BCE	884–873 BCE	886–875 BCE	Omri	עמרי מלך ישראל 'Omri, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 12 years. Death: Natural Causes
869–850 BCE	874–853 BCE	873–852 BCE	875–853 BCE	Ahab	אחאב בֵּן-עמרי מלך ישראל Ach'av ben 'Omri, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 22 years. Death: Shot by an archer during the battle at Ramoth Gilead. He died upon his arrival at Samaria.
850–849 BCE	853–852 BCE	852–851 BCE	853–852 BCE	Ahaziah	אחזיהו בֵּן-אחאב מלך ישראל 'Achazyahu ben 'Ach'av, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 2 years. Death: He fell through the lattice of his upper room and injured himself. Elijah the prophet told him he would never leave his bed and would die on it.
849–842 BCE	852–841 BCE	851–842 BCE	852–841 BCE	Joram	יורם בֵּן-אחאב מלך ישראל Yehoram ben 'Ach'av, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 12 years. Death: Killed by Jehu, the next king of Israel
The House of Jehu
842–815 BCE	841–814 BCE	842–815 BCE	841–814 BCE	Jehu	יהוא בֵּן-נמשי מלך ישראל Yehu ben Yehoshafat, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 28 years. Death: Natural Causes
815–801 BCE	814–798 BCE	819–804 BCE	814–806 BCE	Jehoahaz	יהואחז בֵּן-יהוא מלך ישראל Yeho'achaz ben Yehu, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 17 years. Death: Natural Causes
801–786 BCE	798–782 BCE	805–790 BCE	806–791 BCE	Jehoash (Joash)	יואש בֵּן-יואחז מלך ישראל Yo'ash ben Yeho'achaz, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 16 years. Death: Natural Causes
786–746 BCE	782–753 BCE	790–750 BCE	791–750 BCE	Jeroboam II	ירבעם בֵּן-יואש מלך ישראל Yarob'am ben Yo'ash, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 41 years. Death: Natural Causes. The Book of Jonah or Jonah's journey to Nineveh (when he was swallowed by a whale or fish) happened at that time.
746 BCE	753 BCE	750–749 BCE	750 BCE	Zachariah	זכריה בֵּן-ירבעם מלך ישראל Zekharya ben Yarob'am, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 6 months. Death: Shallum son of Jabesh killed him in front of the people and succeeded as king.
The House of Shallum
745 BCE	752 BCE	749 BCE	749 BCE	Shallum	שלם בֵּן-יבש מלך ישראל Shallum ben Yavesh, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 1 month. Death: Menahem son of Gadi attacked Shallum and assassinated him.
The House of Menahem (also known as the House of Gadi)
745–738 BCE	752–742 BCE	749–738 BCE	749–739 BCE	Menahem	מְנַחֵם בֵּן-גדי מלך ישראל Menachem ben Gadi, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 10 years. Death: Natural Causes
738–737 BCE	742–740 BCE	738–736 BCE	739–737 BCE	Pekahiah	פקחיה בֵּן-מְנַחֵם מלך ישראל Peqachya ben Menachem, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 2 years. Death: Pekah son of Remaliah, one of the chief officers, took 50 men with him and assassinated the king in his palace at Samaria.
The House of Pekah
737–732 BCE	740–732 BCE	736–732 BCE	737–732 BCE	Pekah	פקח בֵּן-רמליהו מלך ישראל Peqach ben Remalyahu, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 20 years. Death: Hoshea son of Elah conspired against him and assassinated him.
The House of Hoshea
732–722 BCE	732–722 BCE	732–722 BCE	732–722 BCE	Hoshea	הושע בֵּן-אלה מלך ישראל Hoshea' ben 'Ela, Melekh Yisra'el	Reigned over Israel in Samaria for 9 years. Death: King Shalmaneser attacked and captured Samaria. He charged Hoshea with treason and he put him in prison, then, he deported the Israelites to Assyria.

Kingdom of Judah

Main article: Kings of Judah

Albright	Thiele	Galil	Kitchen	Common/Biblical name	Regnal Name and style	Notes
House of David
915–913	913–911	914–911	915–912	Abijah	אבים בן-רחבעם מלך יהודה 'Aviyam ben Rechav'am, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 3 years. Death: natural causes.
913–873	911–870	911–870	912–871	Asa	אסא בן-אבים מלך יהודה 'Asa ben 'Aviyam, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 41 years. Death: severe foot disease.
873–849	870–848	870–845	871–849	Jehoshaphat	יהושפט בן-אסא מלך יהודה Yehoshafat ben 'Asa, Melekh Yahudah	Reigned for 25 years. Death: natural causes.
849–842	848–841	851–843	849–842	Jehoram	יהורם בן-יהושפט מלך יהודה Yehoram ben Yehoshafat, Melekh Yahudah	Reigned for 8 years. Death: severe stomach disease.
842–842	841–841	843–842	842–841	Ahaziah	אחזיהו בן-יהורם מלך יהודה 'Achazyahu ben Yehoram, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 1 year. Death: killed by Jehu, who usurped the throne of Israel.
House of Omri
842–837	841–835	842–835	841–835	Athaliah (Queen)	עתליה בת-עמרי מלכת יהודה 'Atalya bat 'Omri, Malkat Yehudah	Reigned for 6 years. Death: killed by the troops assigned by Jehoiada the Priest to protect Joash. Queen Mother, widow of Jehoram and mother of Ahaziah.
House of David
837–800	835–796	835–802	835–796	Jehoash (Joash)	יהואש בן-אחזיהו מלך יהודה Yeho'ash ben 'Achazyahu, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 40 years. Death: killed by his officials namely: Zabad, son of Shimeath, an Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad, son of Shimrith, a Moabite woman.
800–783	796–767	805–776	796–776	Amaziah	אמציה בן-יהואש מלך יהודה 'Amatzyah ben Yehoash, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 29 years. Death: killed in Lachish by the men sent by his officials who conspired against him.
783–742	767–740	788–736	776–736	Uzziah	עזיהו בן-אמציה מלך יהודה 'Uzziyahu ben 'Amatzyah, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 52 years. Death: Tzaraath. George Syncellus wrote that the First Olympiad took place in Uzziah's 48th regnal year.
742–735	740–732	758–742	750–735/30	Jotham	יותם בן-עזיהו מלך יהודה Yotam ben 'Uzziyahu, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 16 years. Death: natural causes.
735–715	732–716	742–726	735/31–715	Ahaz	אחז בן-יותם מלך יהודה 'Achaz ben Yotam, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 16 years. Death: natural causes. The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III records he received tribute from Ahaz; compare 2 Kings 16:7-9.
715–687	716–687	726–697	715–687	Hezekiah	חזקיהו בן-אחז מלך יהודה Chizeqiyahu ben 'Achaz, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 29 years. Death: Natural Causes. Contemporary with Sennacherib of Assyria and Merodach-Baladan of Babylon.
687–642	687–643	697–642	687–642	Manasseh	מנשה בן-חזקיהו מלך יהודה Menashe ben Chizeqiyahu, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 55 years. Death: natural causes. Mentioned in Assyrian records as a contemporary of Esarhaddon.
642–640	643–641	642–640	642–640	Amon	אמון בן-מנשה מלך יהודה 'Amon ben Menashe, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 2 years. Death: killed by his officials, who were killed later on by the people of Judah.
640–609	641–609	640–609	640–609	Josiah	יאשיהו בן-אמון מלך יהודה Yo'shiyahu ben 'Amon, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 31 years. Death: shot by archers during the battle against Neco of Egypt. He died upon his arrival on Jerusalem.
609	609	609	609	Jehoahaz	יהואחז בן-יאשיהו מלך יהודה Yeho'achaz ben Yo'shiyahu, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 3 months. Death: Necho II, king of Egypt, dethroned him, and got him replaced by his brother, Eliakim. Carried off to Egypt, where he died.
609–598	609–598	609–598	609–598	Jehoiakim	יהויקים בן-יאשיהו מלך יהודה Yehoyaqim ben Yo'shiyahu, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 11 years. Death: Natural Causes. The Battle of Carchemish occurred in the fourth year of his reign (Jeremiah 46:2).
598	598	598–597	598–597	Jehoiachin/Jeconiah	יהויכין בן-יהויקים מלך יהודה Yehoyakhin ben Yehoyaqim, Melekh Yehudah יכניהו בן-יהויקים מלך יהודה Yekhonyahu ben Yehoyaqim, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 3 months & 10 days. Death: King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon sent for him and brought him to Babylon, where he lived and died. Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonians and Jehoiachin deposed on 16 March, 597 BCE. Called Jeconiah in Jeremiah and Esther.
597–587	597–586	597–586	597–586	Zedekiah	צדקיהו בן-יאשיהו מלך יהודה Tzideqiyahu ben Yo'shiyahu, Melekh Yehudah	Reigned for 11 years. Death: In prison. His reign saw the second rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar (588–586 BCE). Jerusalem was captured after a lengthy siege, the temple burnt, Zedekiah blinded and taken into exile, and Judah reduced to a province.

Hasmonean Dynasty

Further information: Hasmonean dynasty

Dates	Common name	Name and style	Notes
Hasmonean Dynasty
104–103 BCE	Judah	Aristobulus I King and High Priest of Judaea	The first leader from the Hasmonean lineage to call himself king, and also the first of any Judean king to claim both the high priesthood and kingship title.
103–76 BCE	Jonathan Yannai	Alexander Jannaeus King and High Priest of Judaea
76–67 BCE	Shelomzion	Salome Alexandra Queen of Judaea
67–63 BCE	Aristobulus	Aristobulus II King and High Priest of Judaea
63–40 BCE	Jonathan Hurqanos	Hyrcanus II King and High Priest of Judaea; Ethnarch of Judaea	King from 67 BCE, High Priest from 76 BCE
40–37 BCE	Matityahu	Antigonus II Mattathias King and High Priest of Judaea

Herodian Dynasty

Further information: Herodian dynasty

• Herod the Great (r. 37–4 BCE)
• Herod Agrippa (r. 41–44 CE)

Family Tree

Family tree (Hasmonean-Herodian)

Phinehas (H)asmon/Hasmonaeus Shimon ben Asmon Yochanan ben Shimon Mattathias ben Yochanan John Gaddi Simon Thassi Prince of Judaea r. 141–135 BCE Judas Maccabeus Eleazar Avaran Jonathan Apphus John Hyrcanus I Prince of Judaea r. 134–104 BCE Aristobulus I King of Judaea r. 104–103 BCE Alexander Jannaeus King of Judaea r. 103–76 BCE Salome Alexandra Queen of Judaea r. 76–67 BCE Absalom ben Yochanan John Hyrcanus II King of Judaea r. 67–66 BCE Aristobulus II King of Judaea r. 66–63 BCE Salome bat Absalom Alexandra II bat Hyrcanus II Alexander II Antigonus II Mattathias King of Judaea r. 40–37 BCE Malthace Cleopatra of Jerulasem Herod the Great King of Judaea r. 37–4 BCE Mariamne I Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee r. 4 BCE – 39 CE Herod Archelaus Ethnarch of Judaea r. 4 BCE - 6 CE Philip the Tetrarch Tetrarch of Batanea r. 4 BCE – 34 CE Aristobulus IV Herod V King of Chalcis r. 41–48 CE Herod Agrippa King of Batanaea r. 37–41 CE King of Judea r. 41–44 CE Aristobulus Tetrarch of Chalcis r. 57–92 CE Herod Agrippa II King of Batanaea r. 53–100 CE

See also

• History of ancient Israel and Judah
• List of Jewish leaders in the Land of Israel
• Lists of ancient kings

External links

• King at the Jewish Encyclopedia
• Kings of the Jews at Project MUSE
• Kings of the Jews: Israel, Judah, Hasmoneans & Herodians at The Algemeiner