The Bible as History

The Bible as History



I'm writing this booklet-sized research-essay to make it easier to understand what is said in the Bible about the historical events in the story of Judea. I'm treating the beginning stories up through the Tower of Babel as allegorical and symbolic of the truths they are expressing.

I think the history begins with the story of Abraham in the city-state of Ur in ancient Sumeria. This would be about 2,000 B.C. Ur existed and was just south of the mouth of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in ancient Mesopotamia. Archeology shows that there was a huge ziggurat or pagan temple in Ur. Abraham is the first Patriarch. He was called by God to move his family to Canaan in modern Judea. This was the other end of the Fertile Crescent that included Mesopotamia and Judea. It was possible to grow crops in this Fertile Crescent.

Abraham, his son Isaac, and grandson Jacob are the beginning Patriarchs. Jacob had twelve sons, including Joseph. These sons were the beginning points of the twelve tribes of Israel. By the end of the Book of Genesis, the Hebrews had settled in Egypt--to avoid famines. There they were enslaved by the pharaohs.

Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt. Modern estimates are that he lived around 1300 B.C. or 1200 B.C. Moses, Aaron, and Joshua led the Hebrews back into Canaan--the promised land. There were Canaanite kingdoms already there, but with the power of God behind them the Hebrews were able to defeat them, and set up their own Jewish state. The twelve tribes of Israel were each given their own territory in Judea.

The Israelites did not have a king until King Saul, in about 1050 B.C. Once established in Canaan, the Israelites were governed by Mosaic law and leaders called Judges. This lasted for two or three hundred years, and then the Israelites clamored for a king to rule them. This resulted in Saul being anointed king.

King Saul ruled for 42 years. He was followed by King David, who ruled for 40 years. Then King Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba, ruled for 40 years. These three kings then, ruled for about 120 years. This was the period of the unified Kingdom of Israel. After King Solomon, the kingdom split into two--a Northern Kingdom and a Southern Kingdom.

So, King David was king of the unified kingdom in about 1000 B.C. King Solomon died about 930 B.C. After this the two kingdoms emerged from the unified kingdom. The Northern Kingdom, called the Kingdom of Israel in the Bible, had its capital in the city of Samaria. It existed from 930 B.C. to 722 B.C.--for about 210 years. It had 19 kings in succession. The Northern Kingdom was conquered by the Assyrian Empire in 722, and was never restored.

The Southern Kingdom, called the Kingdom of Judah in the Bible, had its capital in Jerusalem. It existed from 930 B.C. to 586 B.C.--for about 344 years. It had a succession of 20 kings. The Southern Kingdom was conquered by the Babylonian Empire in 586 B.C. Many of the Jews were sent to Babylon; this is known as the Babylonian Captivity. The Jewish state was restored in Jerusalem after Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon in 538 B.C., and put it out of existence. The Persians also put Assyria out of existence.

The first segment of this research essay is below. It is a succession listing of the kings of the Northern Kingdom, the Kingdom of Israel (Samaria). After the succession list are notes with a paragraph or two about what each of the 19 kings of the Northern Kingdom did during his reign. After this, I will do a similar research piece in the 20 kings of the Southern Kingdom.

Regarding the dates of the reigns of the kings of the Northern Kingdom, the Bible gives the length of reign for each of the 19 kings. It does not give the dates as listed here. For the most part, I used the dates as given in the New American Bible. I compared those dates with four other dating systems arrived at by Biblical scholars. The one king where there is a large variance is King Pekah in circa 732 B.C. The Bible says he reigned 20 years, but the Biblical scholars set his reign as much shorter.



Succession of Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom--Samaria) 930 B.C. to 722 B.C. 19 Kings in Succession



Jeroboam I (reign 930-910 B.C.) 1 Kings Ch 12; 2 Chronicles Ch 13 Reign 22 years; Capital: Shechem & Penuel (aka Sichem & Phanuel) Died: Natural Causes

Nadab (reign 910-909 B.C.) 1 Kings Ch 15 Reign 2 years; Capital: Penuel Died: Killed by Baasha

Baasha (reign 909-886 B.C.) aka Baasa 1 Kings Ch. 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 16 Reign 24 years; Capital: Tizrah (aka Thersa) Died: Natural Causes

Elah (reign 885-884 B.C.) aka Ela 1 Kings Ch. 16 Reign 2 years; Capital: Tizrah Died: Zimri killed him

Zimri (reign 884 B.C.) aka Zambri 1 Kings Ch 16 Reign 7 days; Capital: Tizrah Died: Omri beseiged him. In the process Zimri set on fire the royal palace in Tizrah; and died in the fire.

Omri (reign 884-874 B.C.) aka Amri 1 Kings Ch 16 Reign 12 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Natural Causes

Ahab (reign: 874-853 B.C.) aka Achab 1 Kings Ch 16; 2 Chronicles Ch 18 Reign 22 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Shot by archer in battle

Ahaziah (reign 853-852 B.C) aka Ochozias 1 Kings Ch 22; 2 Chronicles Ch 20: 35 Reign 2 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Accident

Joram (reign 852-843 B.C) 1 Kings Ch 22; 2 Chronicles Ch 22:5 Reign 12 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Killed by Jehu

Jehu (reign 843-815 B.C.) 2 Kings Ch 9; 2 Chronicles Ch 20:34 Reign 28 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Natural Causes

Jehoahaz (reign 814-798 B.C.) aka Joachaz 2 Kings Ch 9; 2 Chronicles Ch 25:21 Reign 17 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Natural Causes

Jehoash (reign 798-786 B.C.) aka Joas 2 Kings Ch 13 Reign 16 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Natural Causes

Jeroboam II (reign 786-746 B.C.) 2 Kings Ch 14 Reign 41 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Natural Causes

Zachariah (reign 746 B.C.) aka Zacharias 2 Kings Ch 15 Reign 6 months; Capital: Samaria Died: Killed by Shallum

Shallum (reign 745 B.C) aka Sellum 2 Kings Ch 15 Reign 1 month; Capital: Samaria Died: Killed by Menahem

Menahem (reign 745-737 B.C) aka Manahem 2 Kings Ch 15 Reign 10 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Natural Causes

Pekahiah (reign 736-735 B.C.) aka Phaceia 2 Kings Ch 15 Reign 2 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Killed by Pekah

Pekah (reign 734-732 B.C.) aka Phacee 2 Kings Ch 15 Reign 2 years; Capital: Samaria Died: Killed by Hoshea

Hoshea (reign 732-722 B.C.) aka Osee 2 Kings Ch 17 Reign 9 years; Capital: Samaria Died: King Shalmaneser of Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom and put an end to it in 722 B.C. The Assyrian king had Hoshea killed.



NOTES ON THE KINGS OF ISRAEL (Samaria--the Northern Kingdom)

Jeroboam I (reign 930-910 B.C.) 1 Kings Ch 12; 2 Chronicles Ch 13

1 Kings Ch 12. Jeroboam was in exile in Egypt, and came back to Judea when Solomon died. He challenged Roboam, the son of Solomon, for part of the kingship. Jeroboam and the young men said that Solomon had been too severe to them, and didn't want to be ruled by the son of Solomon. The territory of the ten Hebrew tribes to the north broke with King Roboam, and declared Jeroboam their king. This left the territory of the Hebrew tribes of Juda and Benjamin under control of King Roboam. The northern kingdom under King Jeroboam had its capital eventually in Samaria and is called in the Bible the Kingdom of Israel. The southern kingdom under King Roboam had its capital in Jerusalem and is called in the Bible the Kingdom of Judah.

King Jeroboam broke with Jewish practices. He made two golden calves for different parts of his kingdom (verse 28) and declared these to be the gods of Israel. The people adored the calves. He built temples to pagan gods in high places, with altars. And set up a pagan priesthood. Jeroboam was made a priest of the pagan priesthood (Ch 13: 33). Mention of groves (Ch 14:15).

Story of Jeroboam's withered hand (Ch. 13). Constant war between Jeroboam and Roboam. Prophet Ahias damns Jeroboam (Ch 14). 2 Chronicles Ch 13--Jeroboam is defeated by Roboam's son, Abia--King of Judah. Abia conquered some of the Northern Kingdom's cities, but the latter kingdom did not collapse. After long reign, Jeroboam dies of natural causes.

Nadab (reign 910-909 B.C.) 1 Kings Ch 15

Bible says Nabad was wicked and followed the path of his father, Jeroboam. Nabad made war against the Philistines, and Baasha slew Nabad during this campaign. Baasha was then declared King of Israel.

Baasha (reign 909-886 B.C.) aka Baasa 1 Kings Ch. 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 16

Baasha begins to build a city Rama, but then drops it because of pressure from warring kingdoms. He focuses on building capital city Tizrah (aka Thersa). He wiped out Jeroboam's family. Bible says that Baasha was wicked and walked the way of Jeroboam. He was constantly at war with the King of Judah. Baasha has long reign, but a prophet speaks out against him. Baasha dies of natural causes.

Elah (reign 885-884 B.C.) aka Ela 1 Kings Ch. 16

Elah, son of Baasha, becomes King of the Northern Kingdom. Short reign. Zimri is captain of half of Israel's cavalry. When King Elah is drunk in Tizrah, Zimri emerges and slays Elah. Zimri wipes out Baasha's family. He is then declared King of the Northern Kingdom. The Bible says that Elah had been wicked and walked in the way of Jeroboam.

Zimri (reign 884 B.C.) aka Zambri 1 Kings Ch 16

King Zimri had a reign of seven days. The Bible says that Zimri was wicked and walked in the way of Jeroboam. The Israel army was on a campaign against the Philistines. Omri was general of Israel's army. When the army heard of Zimri's rebellion, it declared Omri king instead. The army went and besieged Tizrah, the capital city of the Northern Kingdom. When Zimri saw that it was no use, he burned down the palace, and died in the fire. King Omri now reigned over the Northern Kingdom. A brief contender against Omri died.

Omri (reign 884-874 B.C.) aka Amri 1 Kings Ch 16

The Bible says that Omri was wicked and more evil than all the Northern Kingdom kings before him. He built the city of Samaria and made it the new capital of Israel, the Northern Kingdom. He reigned for 12 years, and died of natural causes.

Ahab (reign: 874-853 B.C.) aka Achab 1 Kings Ch 16; 2 Chronicles Ch 18

Ahab, the son of Omri, became king of the Northern Kingdom. Ahab reigned 22 years, and a great deal is written about him in the Bible. It says that he was wicked beyond all the previous kings of the Northern Kingdom. The prophet Elijah (aka Elias) rose to counter Ahab and his wife Jezabel. She was the daughter of the king of Sidon in Phoenicia. Ahab built a temple and altar to the pagan god Baal, and he served and adored Baal. Ahab planted a pagan grove. Ahab had many prophets of Baal. Ordeal at Mt. Carmel. Elijah calls down fire from heaven to defeat the priests of Baal.

Ahab has war with King Benadad of Syria. Ahab twice defeats Benadad. This Kingdom of Syria had its capital in Damascus, and is not to be confused with the Assyrians, who were further east and had their capital in Ninevah. These Biblical Syrians were ethnic Arameans. The Amorites had settled there earlier.

Ahab built a house of ivory. Ahab begins to follow the gods of the Ammorrhites. Elijah damns King Ahab for following Canaanite gods. In another battle with Syria, King Ahab was struck by an arrow from a bowman. Ahab died from the wounds. Jezabel had fornicated and engaged in sorcery. In 2 Kings Ch 9 Jezabel has a terrible death.

Ahaziah (reign 853-852 B.C) aka Ochozias 1 Kings Ch 22; 2 Chronicles Ch 20: 35

Ahaziah was the son of Ahab. He becomes King Ahaziah upon the death of Ahab. Ahaziah reigned two years. Bible says that he worshiped Baal as did his father and mother, and did the things similar to Jeroboam. Ahaziah was at peace with the king of Judah. However, Moab (a Canaanite kingdom to the East of the Jordan River) rebelled. Ahaziah had an accident in his palace in Samaria, and was bed-ridden. Ahaziah consulted Beelzebub, the god of Accaron. Elijah damns Ahaziah and says that he will die soon in bed. Elijah says that Ahaziah should have turned to Almighty God of Israel. Ahaziah sends a contingent of soldiers to apprehend Elijah, but fire from heaven wipes them out. Ahaziah dies soon after.

Joram (reign 852-843 B.C) 1 Kings Ch 22

Joram, another son of Ahab and brother to Ahaziah, becomes king of the Northern Kingdom. He reigns 12 years. The Bible says that Joram was wicked, but not as bad as his father and mother. Joram had the statues of Baal removed. However he continued the practices of Jeroboam. At this time Elijah was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot. Eliseus becomes the principle prophet of Almighty God. Moab stops making tribute payments to the Northern Kingdom. Joram goes to war against Moab. Joram defeats Moab with the help of the King of Judah and the King of Edom--a Canaanite kingdom south of the Kingdom of Judah. Reference to Naaman the Syrian and the Temple of Remmon. The King of Syria attacks the Northern Kingdom. Syrians eventually flee. But battle between the two kingdoms continues. At this time Joram's mother Jezabel dies.

Jehu has a power base in the Northern Kingdom. Jehu was very much against the sorceries of Jezabel. Joram and Jehu meet in chariots, and Jehu with his bow kills Joram by arrow in the heart. Jehu then became King of Israel, the Northern Kingdom.

Jehu (reign 843-815 B.C.) 2 Kings Ch 9 King Jehu proceeded to wipe out all the family of Ahab. In Samaria, Ahab had seventy sons. They were all killed and beheaded. Their heads were put in two piles at the city gate. Jehu abolished the worship of Baal. The worshipers of Baal filled the temple of Baal. Jehu has them all killed. His men destroyed the statue of Baal and destroyed the temple of Baal. Nevertheless Jehu did not dismantle the pagan system that Jeroboam had set up, and he kept the two statues of calves--one in Bethel and one in Dan. Jehu reigned 28 years, and died of natural causes.

Jehoahaz (reign 814-798 B.C.) aka Joachaz 2 Kings Ch 9; 2 Chronicles Ch 25:21

Jehoahez, the son of Jehu, became king of the Northern Kingdom upon Jehu's death. He reigned for seventeen years. Bible says that he was wicked in that he continued the pagan practices of Jeroboam. King Hazael of Syria and his son Benadad continued to make war with the Northern Kingdom. King Jehoahez died of natural causes, after which his son Jehoash became king.

Jehoash (reign 798-786 B.C.) aka Joas 2 Kings Ch 13

King Jehoash followed the same pagan activities that King Jeraboam set up. So up to this time every king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel engaged in the same pagan practices as King Jeroboam, the first king, did. Jehoash reigned 16 years. He made war with King Amasias of Judah. He also has war with King Hazael of Syria, and took cities away from Syria. During the reign of Jehoash the prophet Eliseus dies. Jehoash attacks Jerusalem and is able to steal gold from the city. He dies of natural causes. When King Jehoash dies, his son Jeroboam II becomes king.

Jeroboam II (reign 786-746 B.C.) 2 Kings Ch 14

King Jeroboam II also followed the pagan practices of King Jeroboam I. Jeroboam II had a long reign--41 years. The trouble is that after the end of the King Jeroboam II kingship, the Northern Kingdom had only a little more than twenty more years of existence. It came to an end when the Assyrians conquered it in 722 B.C. Jonas the prophet lived during the period of Jeroboam II; Jonas was sent as a prophet to Ninevah, the capital of the Assyrians. Jeroboam II restored some of its borders to a previous demarcation. Jeroboam II died of natural causes. When he died, his son Zachariah became king of the Northern Kingdom. Thus, there were five successive kings of the Northern Kingdom of King Jehu's house.

Zachariah (reign 746 B.C.) aka Zacharias 2 Kings Ch 15

King Zachariah followed the pagan practices of King Jeroboam I. Zacharia reigned only six months. Shallum killed Zachariah in public, and became king.

Shallum (reign 745 B.C) aka Sellum 2 Kings Ch 15

King Shallum's reign was only one month. He was killed by Menahem, who then became king of the Northern Kingdom. Shallum was only mentioned in two verses in the Book of Kings.

Menahem (reign 745-737 B.C) aka Manahem 2 Kings Ch 15

King Menahem reigned for ten years. He followed the pagan practices originally set up by King Jeroboam I. He destroyed a city named Thapsa. At this time, the King of Assyria entered Israel. History knows the Assyrians as being a warlike people. The Bible names the Assyrian king as King Phul. King Menahem decides that the Northern Kingdom will become a tributary of Assyria. A large sum of money is given to the Assyrian king, and he then decides to withdraw from Israel. King Menahem levies a heavy tax on the rich of Israel to cover for the tribute payments to Assyria. Menahem died of natural causes. When he died, his son Pekahiah became king of the Northern Kingdom.

Pekahiah (reign 736-735 B.C.) aka Phaceia 2 Kings Ch 15

Pekahiah reigned for two years. He followed the paganism that was originally set up by Kng Jeroboam I. Not much is said about him in the Bible. A captain of the army, Pekah, and fifty soldiers slew Pekahiah. Pekah was then declared king.

Pekah (reign 734-732 B.C.) aka Phacee 2 Kings Ch 15

It says that King Pekah reigned for twenty years in the Bible. He followed the same pagan practices as Jeroboam I. King Pekah made war against the Southern Kingdom and attacked Jerusalem. During the reign of Pekah, King Tiglath Pileser III of Assyria (spelled Theglathphalasar in the Bible) came into Israel and captured some cities. Hoshea plotted against Pekah and killed him. Hoshea then became king, the last king of the Northern Kingdom.

Hoshea (reign 732-722 B.C.) aka Osee 2 Kings Ch 17 Reign 9 years; Capital: Samaria

King Hoshea reigned for nine years. In the Bible it says that Hoshea "did evil before the Lord, but not as the kings of Israel before him." King Hoshea paid tribute to the king of Assyria, as the three kings of the Northern Kingdom did before him. It says in the Bible that King Hoshea became the servant of the king of Assyria. By this time, the Assyrian King Tiglath Pileser III had died and his son King Shalmaneser V was on the throne of Assyria (spelled Salmanasar in the Bible).

Hoshea rebelled against Assyria. King Shalmaneser of Assyria then brought a force of warriors into the Northern Kingdom and besieged Samaria for three years. Assyria conquered Samaria and the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C.. They killed Hoshea. They put many people of the Northern Kingdom into captivity and placed them in the cities of Hala and Habor near the River Gozan, in the land of the Medes (precursors of the Persians--east of the Tigris River). These captives from the Northern Kingdom became known in Biblical history as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The Northern Kingdom was never restored.

Archeological evidence from Assyria says that the Assyrians carried away 27,280 men of Israel as captives to the region of Assyria and eastward. This is from an inscription of Assyrian King Sargon II, the successor of Assyrian King Shalmaneser V. Biblical scholars report that about one-fifth of the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel were deported by the Assyrians.

The Bible speaks in the larger part of Chapter 17 of 2 Kings of the reasons why God allowed the Northern Kingdom of Israel to be put out of existence by the Assyrians. We can see by this short narrative that all 19 kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in succession practiced paganism and setup a system where the people could do the same. It says that the Israelites walked in the path of many nations that God had destroyed in the sight of the children of Israel and their kings. They had behaved in like manner of these people of Canaan.

The children of Israel built high places in every one of their cities. These high places and groves were places of worship of their pagan gods, and the Bible says they did wicked things there. They made statues of the gods and built groves on every high hill. They set up altars there, and offered up incense to their gods. They worshiped these gods, just the way God through the covenant of Moses had told them not to do. God sent prophets to them to tell them to change their ways back to God and his laws and away from the practices of the worshipers of Canaanite pagan gods. Examples of these are the prophets Elijah and Eliseus, and other minor prophets. The children of Israel did not listen to the prophets.

The Bible goes on to mention the two molten statue calves that the children of Israel worshiped. Then reference is made to the fact that they had turned to the Canaanite god Baal. They had practiced soothsaying and divinations. They even consecrated their sons and daughters to the gods through fire. These things all angered God, according to the Bible.

The kings of Assyria then planted people from Babylon, as well as people from Avah, Emath, Sepharvaim, in the lands of Samaria. This strengthened the pagan nature of the citizens of this area. Seven hundred years later, in the time of Jesus, the people of Jerusalem had disregarded of the people of Samaria because of their worship of pagan gods.

The Bible lists some of these gods:

Babylon god--Sochothbenoth Emath god--Asima Sepharvaim gods--Anamelech and Adramelech Cuthite god--Nergel Hevite gods--Nebahaz and Tharthac

The Bible goes on to say that the people of Sepharvaim burned their children in fire as sacrifice to their gods.





Succession of Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom--Jerusalem) 930 B.C. to 586 B.C. 20 Kings in Succession



Rehaboam (reign 930-913 B.C.) aka Roboam 1 Kings Ch 12; 2 Chronicles Ch 11 Reign 17 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Abijah (reign 913-911 B.C.) aka Abiam, Abia 1 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 13 Reign 3 years; Capital:Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Asa (reign 911-870 B.C.) 1 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 14 Reign 41 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Severe foot disease

Jehosaphat (reign 870-849 B.C.) aka Josaphat 1 Kings Ch 23; 2 Chronicles Ch 17 Reign 25 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Jehoram (reign 849-843 B.C.) aka Joram 2 Kings Ch 8; 2 Chronicles Ch 21 Reign 8 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Severe stomach disease

Ahaziah (reign 843 B.C.) aka Ochozias 2 Kings Ch 8; 2 Chronicles Ch 22 Reign 1 year; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Killed by Jehu, the King of Israel (Samaria)

Athalia (Queen) (reign 843-838 B.C.) aka Athaliah 2 Kings Ch 11; 2 Chronicles Ch 23 Reign 6 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Killed by troops assigned to protect Jehoash

Jehoash (reign 838-800 B.C.) aka Joash, Joas 2 Kings Ch 12; 2 Chronicles Ch 24 Reign 40 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Killed by two of his officials, sons of an Ammonite and a Moabite.

Amaziah (reign 800-785 B.C.) aka Amasias 2 Kings Ch 14; 2 Chronicles Ch 25 Reign 29 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Killed in a conspiracy of his officials

Uzziah (reign 785-742 B.C.) aka Azariah, Azarias, Ozias 2 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 26 Reign 52 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Leprosy

Jotham (reign 742-735 B.C.) aka Joatham 2 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 27 Reign 16 years: Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Ahaz (reign 735-716 B.C.) aka Achaz 2 Kings Ch 16; 2 Chronicles Ch 28 Reign 16 years: Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Hezekiah (reign 717-687 B.C.) aka Ezechias 2 Kings Ch 18; 2 Chronicles Ch 29 Reign 29 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Manasseh (reign 687-642 B.C.) aka Manasses 2 Kings Ch 21; 2 Chronicles Ch 33 Reign 55 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Amon (reign 642-640 B.C.) 2 Kings Ch 21; 2 Chronicles Ch 33 Reign 2 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Killed by his officials

Josiah (reign 640-609 B.C.) aka Josias 2 Kings Ch 22; 2 Chronicles Ch 34 Reign 31 years: Capital: Jerusalem Died: Shot with an arrow during battle with Egypt

Jehoaziah (reign 609 B.C.) aka Joachaz 2 Kings Ch 23; 2 Chronicles Ch 36 Reign 3 months; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Captured by the Egyptian and died in Egypt

Jehoiakim (reign 609-598 B.C.) aka Joachin 2 Kings Ch 23; 2 Chronicles Ch 36 Reign 11 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

Jehoiachin (reign 597 B.C.) aka Jeconiah, Joachin 2 Kings Ch 24; 2 Chronicles Ch 36 Reign 3 months; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Captured by Babylonians and died in Babylon

Zedekiah (reign 597-586 B.C.) aka Sedecias 2 Kings Ch 25; 2 Chronicles Ch 36 Reign 11 years; Capital: Jerusalem Died: Captured by Babylonians and died in exile; the Southern Kingdom is conquered by Babylon in 586, and many are exiled to Babylon.



NOTES ON THE KINGS OF JUDAH (Jerusalem--the Southern Kingdom)

Rehaboam (reign 930-913 B.C.) aka Roboam 1 Kings Ch 12; 2 Chronicles Ch 11

After King Solomon died his son Rehaboam reigned in a divided kingdom that included the territories of Judah and Benjamin. It was the Southern Kingdom, or in the Bible it is called the Kingdom of Judah. Its capital was Jerusalem.

Rehaboam's mother was an Ammonite. It says in the Bible that Rehaboam was 41 years old when he began his reign, and that he reigned for 17 years. King Rehaboam's reign in Jerusalem coincided with the reign of King Jeroboam I of the Northern Kingdom.

Rehaboam allowed the people in Judah to have pagan rites, and they built pagan altars, groves, and high places. There were also effeminates. The Bible says that these things offended the Lord more that the offenses that their ancestor had done.

In circa 925 B.C., the Pharaoh Sesac of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. The pharaoh took away many of the treasures of Jerusalem. With the Egyptians came Libyans, Ethiaopians, and says the Bible, Troglodytes. This force defeated the cities of Judah. There was also constant war between the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom.

Rehaboam built walled cities in Judah. One of those cities was Bethlehem. After he enclosed the cities with walls, he appointed governors over them and set up storehouses with provisions, such as oil and wine. In each city he also built an armory with swords and shields.

The priests and Levites who had been in the Northern Kingdom came south into the Southern Kingdom, where they were welcomed by King Rehaboam. They had been persecuted by King Jeroboam of the Northern Kingdom.

King Rehaboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines. He had 20 sons and 60 daughters.

When King Rehaboam died of natural causes in circa 913 B.C., his son Abijah became king of the Southern Kingdom.

Abijah (reign 913-911 B.C.) aka Abiam, Abia 1 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 13

King Abijah of Judah reigned three years. His reign coincided with King Jeroboam I of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

It says in the Bible that King Abijah committed the same sins as his father, King Reheboam.

Abijah had 14 wives, had 22 sons and 16 daughters.

When King Abijah died in circa 911 B.C., his son Asa became king of the Southern Kingdom in Jerusalem.

Asa (reign 911-870 B.C.) 1 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 14

King Asa reigned 41 years in Jerusalem. His reign coincided with this succession of kings of the Northern Kingdom: Nabad, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri.

The Bible says that King Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He took away the effeminate and removed the idols his fathers had set up in circa 894 B.C. His mother's name was Maacha. She was the princess of sacrifice to the god Priapus. She also consecrated a grove to Priapus. Asa destroyed her den and smashed to statue of Priapus. He did allow the high places to remain though. He took down temples of foreign gods.

King Asa made a league with King Benadad of Syria in Damascus against King Baasha of the Northern Kingdom. Prior to this Syria had a league with the Northern Kingdom. To accomplish this shift in alliance, King Asa sent the king of Syria a treasure of gold and silver. The joint armies of Judah and Syria defeated a number of the cities of the Kingdom of Israel in the North. Chronicles says that Asa had an army of 500,000 men.

King Zara of Ethiopia came and attacked the Southern Kingdom with a huge army. King Asa took his army and met the Ethiopian army at a place called Sephata near Maresa. It says that the army of the Southern Kingdom defeated the Ethiopians with the help of God.

In his older years, King Asa had a disease of the feet that was very painful. He died of natural causes in circa 870 B.C. Asa's son Jehoshaphat then became king of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. A relevant point is the in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, the Davidic line was intact. Royal succession went from father to son: from David to Solomon, to Rehoboam, to Abijah, to Asa, to Jehoshaphat. This was in contrast to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where the family line of succession was broken four times by 870 B.C.

Jehoshaphat (reign 870-849 B.C.) aka Josaphat 1 Kings Ch 23; 2 Chronicles Ch 17

King Jehoshaphat came to the throne of the Southern Kingdom in circa 870 B.C. He ruled in Jerusalem for 25 years, and began his reign when he was age 35. His reign coincides with the reigns of King Ahab, King Ahaziah, King Joram in the Northern Kingdom. This was the time of the prophet Elijah in the north.

Scripture says that Jehoshaphat was right in the eyes of God. Still, he did not remove the high places, and people continued to sacrifice there and burn incense there. Nevertheless, Jehoshaphat sent teachers all throughout Judah so the people could learn about Mosaic law and about Almighty God.

The Southern Kingdom grew prosperous under Jehoshaphat. The Philistines and the Arabians paid tribute to him. At some point a king was not appointed in Edom. Scripture says that King Jehoshaphat was rich and glorious.

At this time the Syrians under King Benedad were attacking the Northern Kingdom. At a certain point there is a Battle of Ramoth Galaad, and King Jehosaphat of Judah has conference with King Ahab of Israel. This was in circa 853 B.C. The Syrians believe that the kingdoms of Judah and Israel have an alliance and retreat. Still a Syrian archer kills King Ahab that day.

King Jehoshaphat built a navy to go to Ophir to obtain gold. The plan did not work though. He rejected an idea of King Ahaziah of the Northern Kingdom to join forces in the venture.

The Ammonites, Moabites, and Syrians formed an alliance to attack the Southern Kingdom. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah begged for help from God, and the enemies were turned back.

Some time around 850 B.C., the king of Moab rebelled against Israel and stopped making tribute payments. King Joram of Israel made a league with King Jehoshaphat of Judah, and with Edom against Moab. The three armies converged on Moab and defeated Moab. The king of Moab sacrificed his eldest son to their god.

When Jehoshaphat died of natural causes in circa 849 B.C., his son Jehoram became King of Judah--the Southern Kingdom.

Jehoram (reign 849-843 B.C.) aka Joram 2 Kings Ch 8; 2 Chronicles Ch 21

King Jehoram was 32 years old when he assumed the kingship of Judah, and he reigned for eight years. His reign coincided with the successive reigns of Ahaziah and Joram of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jehoram slew his brothers when he took the throne, to assure they would not compete with him for the crown.

The daughter of King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom was the wife of King Jehoram in Judah. King Jehoram did the same things that King Ahab of Israel had done. He was thus out of favor with God. He built high places and made citizens of Jerusalem fornicate.

The people of Edom established a king for themselves. This was a rebellion against the Southern Kingdom. The army of King Jehoram went to Edom and defeated it.

The Arabians and Philistines made waste of some of the border areas of the Kingdom of Judah.

God sent Jehoram a very bad stomach ailment as punishment for his transgressions. God also sent a plague of illness to the people of Judah.

When King Jehoram died of the stomach ailment, his son Ahaziah became king of the Southern Kingdom in Jerusalem. So the Davidic line has held for six kings in Jerusalem after King Solomon.

Ahaziah (reign 843 B.C.) aka Ochozias 2 Kings Ch 8; 2 Chronicles Ch 22

King Ahaziah was 22 years old when he began his reign in Jerusalem. He ruled for one year. His reign coincided with King Jehu in the Northern Kingdom.

The mother of King Ahaziah was Athalia, the daughter of either King Ahab or King Omri of the Northern Kingdom (wording of scripture is confusing on the specifics).

Like his father, King Ahaziah of Judah worshiped gods the way King Ahab of Israel in Samaria did.

King Ahaziah of Judah joined King Joram of Israel to fight King Hazael of Syria. During this time Jehu revolted and had himself declared king of the Northern Kingdom. King Jehu proceeded to slay Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah.

Upon the death of King Ahaziah of Judah, his mother Athalia became queen and ruler in Jerusalem.

Athalia (Queen) (reign 843-838 B.C.) aka Ahaliah 2 Kings Ch 11; 2 Chronicles Ch 23

Queen Athalia ruled the Southern Kingdom of Judah for six years. Scripture says that she usurped the throne and ruled in tyranny. She killed the royal family, although one escaped and lived in the temple of God--the male Jehoash. Athalia took the throne sometime around 843 B.C. Her reign coincided with King Jehu of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Athalia was a close blood relative of King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Like King Ahaziah before her, she allowed the pagan practices of King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom of Israel to be established in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Hence, a temple of Baal was in Judah.

In the Northern Kingdom there was a strong reaction against the worship of Baal; the leadership of this reaction was under their King Jehu. This same reaction occurred in the Southern Kingdom of Judah during this period. The people of Judah went into the temple of Baal, smashed his image, and destroyed the altars there. And they killed the priest of Baal in the pagan temple.

Some time around 838 B.C., the army that was protecting Jehoash in the temple of God declared him king, even though he was still a boy. They then proceeded to kill Queen Athalia.

Jehoash (reign 838-800 B.C.) aka Joash, Joas 2 Kings Ch 12; 2 Chronicles Ch 24

King Jehoash was seven years old when he took the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He ruled in Jerusalem for 40 years. He was the son of King Ahaziah of Judah, so the Davidic line was now restored. The reign of King Jehoash began around 838 B.C. and coincided with the successive reigns of King Jehu and King Jehoahaz of the Northern Kingdom in Samaria.

Scripture says that King Jehoash did right in the eyes of God, except he did not take down the high places. People of Judah continued to make pagan sacrifices and burn incense in those high places.

Jehoash had two wives, and he had sons and daughters.

King Jehoash made a large-scale repair of the temple of God. Athalia had taken things from the temple of God, and used them to adorn the temple of Baal. The walls of the temple of God were repaired to their former state, but there were still other repairs that needed to be done.

King Hazael of Syria was pressing his army against the Southern Kingdom, and he intended to attack Jerusalem. King Jehoash gave King Hazael silver from the treasury of the temple of God. Hence, King Hazael pulled his army back.

The palace officials conspired and killed King Jehoash. This was some time around 800 B.C. After this, his son Amaziah became king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The two killers of King Jehoash had mothers who were Ammonite and Moabite.

Amaziah (reign 800-785 B.C.) aka Amasias 2 Kings Ch 14; 2 Chronicles Ch 25

King Amaziah was age 25 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His reign coincided with successive reigns of King Jehoahaz and King Jehoash of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

According to Scripture, Amazhiah did right in the eyes of God. Except that he did not take down the high places where pagan activities happened in Judah.

Amaziah had a war with Edom. And he beat the Edomites badly. After this however, he adored the gods of the children of Sier, and burned incense to them. Scripture suggest that these were the gods of Edom. This angered Almighty God.

Amaziah then had a war with the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The army of the Northern Kingdom prevailed and broke down a wall of Jerusalem. Then took many riches with them back to Samaria. This was sometime around 790 B.C.

There then a conspiracy against King Amaziah, and his officials killed him. The son of Amaziah then became king--his name was Uzziah.

Uzziah (reign 785-742 B.C.) aka Azariah, Azarias, Ozias 2 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 26

King Uzziah was age 16 when he took the throne of the Southern Kingdom in Judah, and he reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. Uzziah's reign coincided with the four successive reigns of King Jeroboam II, King Zachariah, King Shallum, and King Menahem of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in Samaria.

Uzziah did right in the eyes of God, but he would not destroy the high places of the Canaan gods. This angered God, according to Scripture, and God sent leprosy to King Uzziah, which remained with him the rest of his life.

King Uzziah had war with the Philistines and defeated them. He also defeated Arabians and Moab in warfare.

He built towers to fortify Jerusalem, and he built such towers elsewhere in Judah. He built war engines in Jerusalem, including catapults.

King Uzziah lived in a house apart from the palace because of the leprosy, and his son Jotham acted as regent. When Uzziah died Jotham became king of the Southern Kingdom. This was around 742 B.C.

Jotham (reign 742-735 B.C.) aka Joatham 2 Kings Ch 15; 2 Chronicles Ch 27 Reign 16 years: Capital: Jerusalem Died: Natural Causes

King Jotham was age 25 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. His reign coincided about the time of the successive reigns of King Menahem and King Pekahiah of the Northern Kingdom.

Jotham did what was right in the eyes of God, except he would not tear down the high places where the Canaanite gods were worshiped. Jotham would not enter the temple of our Lord. He did engage in a building program to improve the temple of God.

There was a war with Ammon during the reign on Jotham, and Judah overcame the Ammonites. The kingdom of Ammon then paid tribute to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

It was about this time that King Phul of Assyria came into the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and was very threatening. Phul was the common name of Tiglath Pileser III. Tribute was paid to the Assyrians to ward then off for the time being.

When King Jotham died of natural causes, his son Ahaz became king of the Southern Kingdom. This was some time around 735 B.C.

Ahaz (reign 735-716 B.C.) aka Achaz 2 Kings Ch 16; 2 Chronicles Ch 28

King Ahaz was 20 years old when he assumed the reign of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem for 16 years. His reign coincides about with the successive reigns of King Pekah and King Hoshea of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Scripture says that King Ahaz had a wicked reign. He followed the pattern of worship similar to the kings in the Northern Kingdom. He went to the high places and offered incense and sacrifice to the Canaanite gods. He caste statues of Baalim, and he offered his sons as sacrifice to the god.

King Rasin of Syria attacked Judah and took one of its cities. The Edomites then took control of that area. The Northern Kingdom of Israel then joined forces with Syria to attack Jerusalem. King Ahaz bowed and gave tribute to King Tiglath Pileser III of Assyrian, and asked for help.

The Assyrians then conquered Syria, and sent its inhabitants to Cyrene. Then they killed King Rasin of Syria. After this the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C., and put it out of existence.

The Philistines also made war with Judah, and took some of its cities.

King Ahaz went to Damascus, the capital of Syria, for a peace meeting with Tiglath Pileser III. He saw a pagan altar there and he had his priest make an identical altar for the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He then diminished the value the temple of our Lord. Ahaz made pagan altars on all four corners of Jerusalem, and then sacrificed people there to the gods of Syria, that they might favor him.

When King Ahaz died of natural causes some time around 716 B.C., his son Hezekiah became king of the Southern Kingdom--soon the only independent Jewish state.

Hezekiah (reign 717-687 B.C.) aka Ezechias 2 Kings Ch 18; 2 Chronicles Ch 29

King Hezekiah was age 25 when he assumed the reign of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he ruled 29 years in Jerusalem. Scripture says that King Hoshea ruled the Northern Kingdom of Israel in Samaria at the beginning of King Hezekiah's reign in Jerusalem. This again points to the dating problem, and inconsistencies appear in most date-reckoning systems of this period.

Scripture says that King Hezekiah did right in the eyes of the Lord. He destroyed the pagan high places, broke the statues into pieces, took down the pagan altars, and cut down the pagan groves. Idolatry was abolished. He broke the brazen serpent of Moses, because the people made an idol of it--and called it the name of Nohestan. These things occurred some time around 700 B.C.

Scripture says that he stood out among the kings of Judah, there was none like him in the Southern Kingdom before or after. He followed the ten commandments and the law that Moses brought from God.

The temple of the Lord was repaired under Hezekiah, and scripture says that he purified the temple. He invited the people of the Northern Kingdom to Jerusalem to worship the true God, and some did.

Hezekiah was able to defeat the Philistines all the way to the city of Gaza.

There was prosperity in the Southern Kingdom under King Hezekiah. He built storehouses of food. And improved the water supply.

It was during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah that the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom and sent its people into exile. Hezekiah would not make an alliance with King Shalmaneser V of Assyria in this matter.

Later, King Sennacherib of Assyria attacked the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah sent tribute money to him. Still Assyria pressed, and besieged Jerusalem in circa 701 B.C. A messenger of Sennacherib was sent into Jerusalem to stir up the people. Sennacherib offered to send the people of Judah to a new land in exile, which had some of the characteristics of a promised land. The messenger said that Almighty God could do nothing for the Jews in this situation. He said that the gods of nations did not deliver their peoples from Assyrian conquest--that the people of Emath, Arphad, Sepharvaim, Ana, and Ava had all been conquered by the Assyrians.

At this time, the prophet Isaiah emerged and assured King Hezekiah that if he walked the right path, God would protect the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah then prayed to God and did right. God sent an angel by night to kill many of the Assyrian soldiers. King Sennacherib retreated and went back to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. There Sennacherib was killed by two of his sons while he was worshiping the Assyrian god Nesroch. These two sons then fled to the land of the Armenians--their names were Adramelech and Sarasar. Another of his sons, Asarhaddon, then became king of Assyria.

Hezekiah grew very ill as the years pass. Again the prophet Isaiah intervened, and God gave Hezekiah some very specific instructions on purification. When the king did these, his lie was extended 15 years. There was also a miracle of the sun (Chapter 20, verse 11).

Berodach Baladon, the king of Babylon, visited King Hezekiah. Hezekiah showed him the treasures of Jerusalem. When the prophet Isaiah heard of this, he was angered and told King Hezekiah that someday there would be a conquest by Babylon.

When King Hezekiah died of natural causes, his son Manasseh became king of the Southern Kingdom. This was some time around 687 B.C.

Manasseh (reign 687-642 B.C.) aka Manasses 2 Kings Ch 21; 2 Chronicles Ch 33

King Manasseh was age12 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem for 55 years. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by his reign, and no longer existed.

Scripture says that King Manasseh was wicked. He reestablished idolatry. He set up an altar for Baal. And Manasseh restored the pagan high places and groves. Scripture says that "he adored all the host of heaven, and served them." This refers to the Canaanite gods. He put up an idol statute and pagan altars in the house of the Lord, the temple. Scripture says that he was more wicked than the Amorrhites. Manasseh shed innocent blood in Jerusalem. He followed magicians and enchanters, and practiced divinations.

The Assyrians attacked Judah, captured King Manasseh, and took him in chains to Babylon. Manasseh prayed and did penance. Scripture says that God then secured Manasseh's release, and he was restored to his throne.

King Manasseh then tore down all the remnants of idolatry.

Manasseh died of natural causes, some time around 642 B.C. His son Amon then became king.

Amon (reign 642-640 B.C.) 2 Kings Ch 21; 2 Chronicles Ch 33

King Amon was age 22 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem for two years.

Scripture says that Amon was wicked and did all the things that his father King Manasseh did regarding adoring idols. And he did not repent as his father did.

Finally his officials killed King Amon in his own house. His son Josiah then became king.

Josiah (reign 640-609 B.C.) aka Josias 2 Kings Ch 22; 2 Chronicles Ch 34 Reign 31 years: Capital: Jerusalem Died: Shot with an arrow during battle with Egypt

King Josiah was eight years old when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem for 31 years.

Scripture says that Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Josiah did a lot of work to repair the temple of the Lord.

The Book of the Law was found in the temple. At some time around 620 B.C. prophecies came that Judah would receive the wrath of God. King Josiah read the Book of the Law to the people, and they promised to observe it. He destroyed the vessels of Baal and the groves. He killed the soothsayers who led ceremonies to Baal in the high places, and abolished lighting incense to the sun and moon, and to the twelve signs, and to the host of heaven. He took down the pavilions of the effeminate.

King Josiah destroyed the altars to the Canaanite gods. He forbid the sacrificing of one's son or daughter to the god Moloch. Other deities were forbidden and their statues broken, such as:

--Astaroth, the goddess of Sidon --Chamos, god of Moab --Melchom, god of Ammon

Josiah also destroyed pagan temples that had been in the former Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Reference to the Ark in Chronicles. Also the Lamentations of Jeremiah.

Things were changing in the world order of Judea and Mesopotamia. In 612 B.C., the Assyrian capital of Nineveh was destroyed by the Medes (precursors of the Persians to the East) and the Chaldeans (from the area around Babylon). The Assyrian Empire was falling apart. Scripture reports that the Egyptians carried conquest attempts in Judah and all the way to the Euphrates River, where the kingdom of Syria had been before being conquered by the Assyrians. The Battle of Charcamis occurred there. At the same time, the Babylonians were regaining power in the Euphrates River to the southeast. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon rose up; his reign was from 606-562 B.C.

Some time around 609 B.C., Pharaoh Nechao of Egypt did battle against the Assyrians. King Josiah was killed by an arrow by the Egyptians at Mageddo. His son Jehoaziah was then made king in Jerusalem.

Jehoaziah (reign 609 B.C.) aka Joachaz 2 Kings Ch 23; 2 Chronicles Ch 36

King Jehoaziah was age 23 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.

Scripture says that Jehoaziah did evil before the Lord, as his fathers had. Pharaoh Nechoa took Jehoaziah to Egypt, and he died there. The Pharaoh then took one of the other sons of King Josiah, made him king of Judah, and changed his name to Jehoiakim.

Jehoiakim (reign 609-598 B.C.) aka Joachim 2 Kings Ch 23; 2 Chronicles Ch 36

King Jehoiakim was age 25 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

Scripture says that Jehoiakim did evil in the eyes of the Lord, in a manner as did his forefathers.

Pharaoh Nechoa exacted tribute and taxes on Jerusalem and the rest of Judah. King Jehoiakim allowed this, and much silver and gold went to Egypt from the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon then rose up and conquered much of the nearby area. And much of what Egypt had conquered in Judea, Babylon now conquered. The Pharoahs of Egypt then did not come into that region, for fear of the power of Babylon.

King Jehoiakim of Judah became a servant and tribute kingdom to Nebuchadnezzar for three years. Then he rebelled against Babylon. For a period, he was put into chains and brought to Babylon (Chronicles).

Roving bands of pillagers from Chaldea, Ammon, and Moab attacked the cities of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Prophets in Jerusalem said that Judah would be severely punished for the sins of Manasseh and other Judah kings like him, and for all the innocent blood that was shed in Jerusalem.

In about the year 598 B.C., King Jehoiakim died of natural causes. His son Jehoiachin then became king in Jerusalem.

Jehoiachin (reign 597 B.C.) aka Jeconiah, Joachin 2 Kings Ch 24; 2 Chronicles Ch 36

King Jehoiachin was age 18 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for three months.

Scripture says that Jehoiachin did evil, in a manner as did his father.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laid siege on Jerusalem. King Jehoiachin went out to meet Nebuchadnezzar, accompanied by his mother, wives, eunuchs, and 7,000 of his army officers and support military men. Also, Jehoiachin brought out treasures to give to Nebuchadnezzar as tribute. The king of Babylon took all of them into captivity, and settled them as servants in Babylon. This was around 597 B.C.

King Jehoiachin could no longer reign in Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar appointed the uncle of Jehoiachin to rule the Kingdom of Judah. His name was Mathanias, but the king of Babylon changed his name to Sedecias, or Zedekiah.

Zedekiah (reign 597-586 B.C.) aka Sedecias 2 Kings Ch 25; 2 Chronicles Ch 36 King Zedekiah was age 21 when he assumed the throne of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and he reigned 11 years in Jerusalem.

Scripture says that Zedekiah did evil before the Lord, in the manner of King Jehoiakim before him.

King Zedekiah revolted against Babylon after a few years. In about 588 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar brought his army once again to besiege Jerusalem. For two years the people of Jerusalem had no way out. They ran out of bread, and famine spread throughout the city.

A breach was made into the walls of Jerusalem, and the king fled along with many of the army officers he had left. Nebuchadnezzar caught King Zedekiah in Jericho. Zedekiah received very cruel punishment, and then was bound in chain and sent to Babylon.

In 586 B.C., a general of the army of the king of Babylon finished the conquest of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. In Jerusalem, the temple was set on fire. All the walls of Jerusalem were broken down. All the buildings were set on fire. Judah became a province of Babylon.

The people of Jerusalem were sent to Babylon, many were killed in the city of Reblatha in the land of Emath. Some poor people of Judah were left to tend to vines and handle animal husbandry.

In the beginning of the reign of Evilmerodach, King of Babylon, he took King Jehoiachin of Judah out of the prison in Babylon. The king of Babylon then gave Jehoiachin a favored seat among the kings conquered, and given fine garments and an allowance. And he was treated well until the end of his days in Babylon.

Who scripture calls the Babylonian King Evilmerodach, is called Amel-Marduk by history expert on Babylon. He succeeded Nebuchadnezzar II to the throne of Babylon around 562 B.C. Two other Kings of Babylon who followed in succession were King Naboald and King Belshazzar (combined reigns 555-538 B.C.)

Jeremiah prophesied that the exile and deportation into Babylon would last seventy years.



Judea after the Exile in Babylon

538 B.C. Persian King Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon. Babylon and Assyria become provinces of the Persian Empire. Cyrus issues an edict that the Jews may return Jerusalem. Judah becomes a province of Persian Empire. The Persians are generally friendly to the Jews.

c. 520 B.C. Zorobabel (aka Zerubbabel) leads a group of Jews back to Judea. This is roughly seventy years since the exile in Babylon began. The city of Jerusalem is in disrepair because the destruction Babylon did to it. People from Samaria and Moab and other areas moved into Judah, and they make it difficult for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the towns. Persian King Darius the Great appropriates money for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Wikipedia reports that Zorobabel was appointed governor of the Judea province of Persia by Darius, and that he was the grandson of one of the last kings of Judah. Wikipedia also reports that 42,350 Jews came back to Judea from captivity in Zorobabel's band. Most of this can be verified by Josephus, the ancient Jewish historian. Zorobabel, with funding from Persia, lays groundwork for the Second Temple. Solomon's temple is called the first temple, but the Second Temple is built in its ruins.

http://biblehub.com/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_1_how_cyrus_king.htm

445 B.C. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, becomes the Persian governor of Judea.. The city's walls are rebuilt, from Persian monies. He governs under King Antaxerxes (465-424 B.C.) of Persia, the son of Xerxes the Great. Ezra (aka Ezdras) is a priest and probably a contemporary of Nehemiah who works to teach the law of Moses to the Jews. However, Josephus reports that Ezra lived during the reign of Xerxes the Great.

320 B.C. Judea and the rest of Palestine becomes a province of the empire of Alexander the Great. Alexander had conquered the Persian Empire, and also Egypt. This brings Greek influences into the region. Alexander dies in Babylon in 323 B.C. After Alexander dies, his empire is divided between four of his generals. Seleucus was the general who had control of Judea, and he began the Seleucid Empire.

198 B.C. Antiochus the Great, king of Syria, defeats the Ptolemy pharaoh of Egypt. Antiochus thus gains possession of Palestine. More Greek and Hellenistic influences heads towards Jerusalem and Judea.

166-135 B.C. Rise of the Machabees. After King Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria works to suppress the religion of the Jews, the brothers Maccabees rise up in resistance. Mathathias, Judas, Jonathan, and Simon rule over the Jews.

135-37 B.C. Hasmonean Dynasty. John Hyrcanus, son of Simon Maccabeus, becomes high priest and ruler. Judea is semi-autonomous now under the Seleucids, then more independent when the Seleucid Empire becomes less powerful. It become a client state of Rome in 63 B.C.

63 B.C. Roman General Pompey captures Jerusalem. Palestine becomes more of a vassal of Rome.

c. 37-4 B.C. Herod the Great is appointed king of the Jews by Rome, uniting the regions of the Jews. Judea becomes more of a client kingdom of Rome. After Herod the Great’s death, Palestine is divided into four tetrarchies.