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Kings of Influence

by Dr. Reve' M. Pete

A chart listing Old Testament kings of Israel and Judah, their reigns, influence and/or consequences of their actions.

The Influence of Old Testament Kings of Israel and Judah

King

Reigned
Over

Type of
Reign

Influence/Consequences

Saul Israel Unfaithful

Saul was afraid of the people and did what they demanded instead of obeying the Lord. (1 Samuel 15:24; 1 Chronicles 10:13)

David Israel Obedient

Received a dynasty of kings and a secure throne forever. ((1 Kings 11:33; 15:15; 1 Chronicles 17:10,14)

Solomon Israel Asked for wisdom and knowedge to lead God's people.

Son of David. Received wisdom and knowledge to lead as well as wealth, riches and fame. (2 Chronicles 1:10,12)



Idolatrous

Solomon abandoned the Lord and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab and Molech the god of the Ammonites. (1 Kings 11:33)

God took most of the kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) from Solomon s son (Rehoboam) and gave it to one of Solomon s servants (Jeroboam). (1 Kings 11:1-6,11-13,39)

Rehoboam Judah Rejected advice of older men

The people of Israel rejected Rehoboam as king. (2 Chronicles 10:8,16-19)



Unfaithful

The people followed Rehoboam in his unfaithfulness to the Lord and the King of Egypt attacked Judah and Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 12:1-4)

Jeroboam Israel
(10 tribes)
Prophesied

Fulfillment of God's word to Solomon. Jeroboam was on of Solomon's officials. He rebelled against Solomon. God gave Jeroboam an opportunity to have an enduring dynasty just like David. (1 Kings 11:11,26-38;12:16-20)



Evil

Appointed priests to serve at pagan shrines (2 Chronicles 11:15) Under Jeroboam's leadership the people worshiped idols. (1 Kings 12:28-33) Jeroboam s dynasty was destroyed from the face of the earth. (1 Kings 13:34) The Lord will uproot the people from their land. (1 Kings 14:15)

Abijam
(Abijim)
Judah Trusted the Lord

Son of Rehoboam. Abijah trusted the Lord to defeat Jeroboam s army. (1 Kings 14:31; 2 Chronicles 13:14-18)



Unfaithful

Committed same sins as Rehoboam. Was unfaithful to the Lord. (1 Kings 15:3)

Asa Judah Faithful

Son of Abijam. Asa did what was pleasing in the Lord s sight just as King David had done. Asa s heart remained faithful to the Lord throughout his life. (1 Kings 15:8,11,14) There was peace in the land for 10 years. Commanded the people to seek the Lord and obey His laws and Commands. The Lord gave Asa peace from his enemies. (2 Chronicles 14:1,4,6-7)



Trusted King of Aram

When threatened, Asa put his trust in King of Aram rather than in God. As a result, Asa would be at war the rest of his life. (2 Chronicles 16:7,9)

Asa began to oppress some of his people. He developed a foot disease but still would not seek the Lord s help. (2 Chronicles 16:10,12)

Nadab Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Jeroboam. (1 Kings 14:20) Did evil in the Lord s sight. Followed Jeroboam s example. Assassinated. (1 Kings 15:26-27)

Baasha Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Baasha son of Ahijah plotted against Nadab and assinated him. Slaughtered the descendants of Jeroboam who had led Israel to sin. Followed Jereboam s example. Baasha s family members were destroyed: eaten by dogs or eaten by vultures. (1 Kings 15:27-30,34)

Elah Israel
(10 tribes)
Assassinated

Son of Baashaa was killed by Zimri. (1 Kings 16:7-14)

Zimri Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Followed Jeroboam s example. Reigned seven days because the people rejected him for killing Elah. (1 Kings 16:15-19)

Omri Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Followed Jeroboam s example. Led people of Israel to sin. (1 Kings 16:25-28)

Bought hill from Shemer and built city of Samaria in honor of Shemer. (1 Kings 16:24)

Ahab Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Omri. Followed Jeroboam s example and also married Jezebel. Worshiped Baal. Built a temple of Baal and altar for Baal in Samaria. Set up an Asherah pole. Ahab s dynasty was destroyed. (1 Kings 16:30-33; 21:25-29)

Jehoshaphat Judah Faithful

Son of Asa. Followed Asa s example of faithfulness. (1 Kings 22:43-46; 2 Chronicles 17;19:4-11)



Helped evil Ahab

Tried to help Ahab recover Ramoth-gilead. (1 Kings 22:2-38;2 Chronicles 1718-19:1-3)



Good

Yet never removed all the pagan shrines. The people never fully committed themselves to God. (2 Chronicles 20:33)



Alliance with Ahaziah

Built a fleet of trading ships at Ezion-geber port. Ships met disaster and were never put to sea. (2 Chronicles 20:35-36)

Ahaziah Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Ahab. Followed examples of Ahab, Jezebel and Jeroboam. (1 Kings 22:51-53) Sought the god of Ekron, Baal-zebub, regarding his health.(2 Kings 1:2-17)

Joram Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Ahab but not as evil as Ahab and Jezebel. Tore down sacred pillar of Baal, but committed the sins of Jeroboam. Led people of Israel into sin. (2 Kings 3:1-4)

Jehoram Judah Evil

Son of Jehoshaphat. Killed his brothers & other leaders of Judah. Followed examples of the Kings of Israel. Married one of Ahab s daughters. Built pagan shrines. Lead people of Judah into idolatry. Developed and died from an intestinal disease. (2 Chronicles 21:1-19; 2 Kings 8:16-18)

Ahaziah Judah Evil

Son of Jehoram. Followed the example of King Ahab s family. (2 Kings 8:25-27; 2 Chronicles 22:2-9)

Jehu Israel
(10 tribes)
Did Well

Jehu did well following the Lord s instructions, but did not destroy the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. His descendents were kings through four generations. (2 Kings 9:1-10; 10:29-30)



Disobedient

Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord with all his heart. Refused to turn from the sins of Jeroboam. (2 Kings 10:31)

Joash Judah Pleased the Lord

Son of Ahaziah. Did what pleased the Lord but did not destroy the pagan shrines. (2 Kings 11:1-3;12,19-21; 12:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12;24:2)



Idolatrous

Joash heeded advice of leaders of Judah. Abandoned the Temple of the Lord, worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Aramean army invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed leaders of Judah. Assassinated. (2 Chronicles 24:17-18,23-25;2 Kings 12:20)

Jehoahaz Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Jehu. Followed the example of Jeroboam. Israel defeated by Arameans. (2 Kings 10:35-36;13:1-3)



Asked the Lord for help

The Lord heard Jehoahaz prayer and helped Israel. Israel continued to sin following example of Jeroboam. Allowed the Asherah pole in Samaria to remain standing. (2 Kings 13:4-6)

Jehoash Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Jehoahaz. Refused to turn from the sins of Jeroboam. (2 Kings 13:9-11)

Amaziah Judah Pleased the Lord

Son of Joash. (2 Chronicles 24:27) Amaziah did what pleased the Lord but not wholeheartedly. He worshiped idols. Amaziah followed the example of Joash. (2 Chronicles 25:2,14;2 Kings 14:3)

Jeroboam II Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Jehoash. Refused to turn from the sins of Jeroboam. (2 Kings 13:13;14:16,23-24)

Uzziah Judah Pleased the Lord

Son of Amaziah. Sought the Lord during the days of Zechariah. Was successful as long as he sought the Lord s guidance. (2 Kings 14:21;15:1-3; 2 Chronicles 26:1,4-5)



Proud

Did not destroy the pagan shrines and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. Pride led to Uzziah s downfall. (2 Kings 15:4-5;2 Chronicles 26:16,19-21)

Zechariah Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Jeroboam II. Refused to turn from the sins of Jeroboam. Assassinated. Fulfilled God s word to Jehu: Four generation of descendant kings, (2 Kings 14:29;15:8-10,12;)

Shallum Israel
(10 tribes)

Assassinated by Menahem. (2 Kings 15:14)

Menahem Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Killed the entire population of a city and surrounding area. Ripped open pregnant women. Refused to turn from the sins of Jeroboam. Extorted money from the rich to bribe King of Assyria not to invade Israel. (2 Kings 15:16-20)

Pekahiah Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Son of Menahem. Refused to turn from the sins of Jeroboam. Assassinated by Pekah, commander of Pekahiah s army. (2 Kings 15:22-25)

Pekah Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Refused to turn from the sins of Jeroboam. Attacked by King of Assyria. Assassinated by Hoshea. (2 Kings 15:27-30)

Jotham Judah Obedient

Son of Uzziah. Pleased the Lord. Did not sin by entering the Temple of the Lord. Did not destroy the pagan shrines and the people offered sacrifices and burned incense there. The people continued their corrupt ways. (2 Kings 15:32-35; 2 Chronicles 26:23;27:1-3)

Hoshea Israel
(10 tribes)
Evil

Not as evil as previous Kings of Israel. People of Israel worshiped other gods and followed the practices of pagan nations. They built pagan shrines, set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles. Rebelled against King of Assyria. People of Israel exiled to Assyria. (2 Kings 17:1-23)

Ahaz Judah Rejected the Lord

Son of Jotham. Followed the example of the Kings of Israel. Sacrificed his own son in the fire. Followed pagan practices. Offered sacrifices and burned incense at pagan shrines, on hills and under every green tree. Sent silver and gold from the Temple of the Lord to the King of Assyria for protection against attack. Removed the old bronze altar and replaced it with an altar copied after the King of Assyria s altar. Commanded the priest to offer sacrifices on the new altar and reserved the bronze altar for Ahaz personal use. Defeated by King of Aram. Many people from Judah were exiled to Damascus. Israel defeated Ahaz. Attacked by Edom and the Philistines. Assyria also attacked. (2 Kings 15:38;16:2-4,8-18;2 Chronicles 28:2-27)

Hezekiah Judah Obedient

Son of Ahaz. Pleased the Lord just like King David had done. Faithful to the Lord. Removed pagan shrines, smashed sacred pillars, cut down Asherah poles. Trusted the Lord. Was successful in all he did. (2 Kings 16:20;18:1-7; 2 Chronicles 28:27;29:1-12;31:21)



Healed by the Lord

When Hezekiah got sick he cried out to the Lord, reminding Him of his faithfulness to Him. The Lord healed him and added fifteen years to his life. (2 Kings 20:1-11)



Prophecy

Isaiah prophesied to Hezekiah that everything in the palace would be carried off to Babylon. Some of Hezekiah's sons would be taken into exile, become eunuchs and serve the King of Babylon. (2 Kings 20:16-19)

Manasseh Judah Evil

Son of Hezekiah. Followed pagan practices. Rebuilt pagan shrines. Constructed altars to Baal. Set up Asherah poles. Worshiped the powers of the heavens. Built pagan altars in the Temple of the Lord. Sacrificed his sons in the fire. Practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft. Consulted mediums and psychics. Put a carved idol in the Temple of the Lord. Led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do evil. Assyrians took Manasseh prisoner. (2 Kings 20:21;21:1-16; 2 Chronicles 32:33;33:1-11)



Humbled himself

After the Assyrians took Manasseh prisoner, he humbled himself and prayed to the Lord. The Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Manasseh realized that the Lord is God. (2 Chronicles 32:33;33:12-13)

Amon Judah Evil

Son of Manasseh. Did evil as his father Manasseh. Amon abandoned the Lord and refused to follow His ways. Amon was assassinated. (2 Kings 21:18,20-23; 2 Chronicles 33:20-24)

Josiah Judah Pleased the Lord

Son of Amon. Followed the example of King David. Did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight. Destroyed pagan shrines, Asherah poles, carved idols, cast images, altars of Baal, incense altars. Burned the bones of pagan priests. Appointed men to repair the Temple of the Lord. (2 Kings 21:26;22:1-13; 2 Chronicles 33:25;34:1-19)



Prophecy

Huldah the Prophetess prophesied the Lord would bring disaster upon Jerusalem and its people because the people had abandoned Him and sacrificed to pagan gods. However the disaster would not come during Josiah's lifetime. (2 Kings 21:26;22:16-20; 2 Chronicles 33:25;34:24-28)



Renewed the Covenant

After the prophesy Josiah renewed the covenant in the Lord's presense. He ordered all the destruction of all articles used to worship Baal. Did away with idolatrous priests appointed by previous Kings of Judah. Removed the Asherah pole that was in the Temple of the Lord. Destroyed the living quarters of the shrine prostitutes. Priests who had served at pgan shrines were not allowed to serve at the Lord's altar. Defiled the altar of Topheth. Got rid of mediums, psychics, household gods, and idols. (2 Kings 23:1-21,24)



Celebrated Passover

Josiah had the people of Judah to celebrate the Passover. There was none like Josiah. (2 Kings 23:21-23,25)

Jehoahaz Judah Evil

Son of Josiah. Did evil like his ancestors. Imprisoned by Pharoah Neco of Egypt. (2 Kings 23:30-33)

Eliakim
Jehoiakim
Judah Evil

Son of Josiah. Was put on the throne by Pharoah Neco. Neco changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. Did evil like his ancestors. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Judah. Jehoiakim paid tribute to Nebuchadnezzar for three years then rebelled against him. (2 Kings 23:34-37;24:1)



Judah destroyed

Judah was invaded by the Babylonians, Arameans, Moabites, and the Ammonites because of the blood shed by King Manasseh. (2 Kings 24:2-4)

Jehoiachin Judah Evil

Son of Jehoiakim. Babylon besieged Jerusalem. Jehoiachin surrendered and was taken prisoner. King Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures from the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace. Nebuchadnezzar stripped away all gold objects King Solomon had placed in the Temple and took all of Jerusalem captive, exiled 7,000 off the best troops, craftsmen and artisans. (2 Kings 24:6,9-16:25:13-17)

Mattaniah
Zedekiah
Judah Evil

Uncle of Jehoiachin. King Nebuchanezzar appointed Mattaniah King of Judah and changed his name to Zedekiah. Zedekiah did as Jehoiachin had done. Jerusalem and Judah were banished from the Lord's presence and many of the people went into exile. (2 Kings 24:16-20)



Jerusalem Falls

Zedekiah rebelled against King Nebuchanezzar who then attacked Jerusalem and kept it under seige. Soldiers escaped through the broken wall. Zedekiah was captured in the plain of Jericho. His soldiers had abandoned him. Babylonians made Zedekiah watch as they slaughtered his sons. Then the Babylonians gouged out Zedekiah's eyes and took him to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all houses in Jerusalem. Important buildings were also destroyed. The walls of Jerusalem were torn down. The people were taken as exiles. Only a remnant remained to work the fields. Others were put to death. (2 Kings 25:1-21)

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