Faith & Reason Nexus

There was long-continued war between Israel and Judah during the division of the kingdoms.

THE NORTHERN KINGDOM (Israel) 931-721 B.C.

1. 1st 50 years: Harassed by Judah under Omri’s house
2. Next 40 years: Quite prosperous under Omri’s house
3. Next 40 years: Brought very low under Jehu and Jehoahaz
4. Next 50 years: Reached its greatest extent under Jeroboam II
5. Last 30 years: Anarchy, ruin, and captivity

THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM (Judah) 933-606 B.C.

1. 1st 80 years: Quite prosperous, growing in power
2. Next 70 years: Considerable disaster; introduction of Baalism
3. Next 50 years: Under Uzziah, reached its greatest extent
4. Next 15 years: Under Ahaz, became tributary to Assyria
5. Next 30 years: Under Hezekiah, regained independence
6. Last 100 years: In the main, a vassal of Assyria

RELATION OF THE TWO KINGDOMS TO EACH OTHER

1. 1st 80 years: Continuous war between the two
2. 2nd 80 years: They were at peace with each other
3. Last 50 years: Intermittent war to the end

THE NORTHERN KINGDOM (Israel) 933-721 B.C.

There were nine dynasties (Family lines of kings)
1. Jeroboam, Nadab
2. Baasha, Elah
3. Zimri
4. Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehoram
5. Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II, Zechariah
6. Shallum
7. Menahem, Pekahiah
8. Pekah
9. Hoshea

• 19 kings in all
• The reigns averaged about 11 years
• 8 of the 19 kings died by violence

THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM (Judah) 933-606 B.C.

• One dynasty – David

One exception was the usurper Athaliah from the Northern Kingdom, who, by marriage, broke into David’s line and interrupted the succession for 6 years.

• 20 kings in all
• An average of about 16 years per reign.
• All of the kings of Israel served the calf; the worst served Baal.
• Most of the kings of Judah served idols; a few served Jehovah.
• Some bad kings were partly good; some good kings were partly bad.