CHIEF KINGS OF ISRAEL

1. In our books of Kings the accounts of both kingdoms are carried along together. Some advantages may be gained by considering the two lines of kings separately. In Israel the kings were not all from one family as in Judah, but from several, the succession being determined in many instances by the accession to the throne of the murderer of the reigning monarch. There were three dynasties of most importance: that of Jeroboam I., that of Omri, and that of Jehu. These were not of equal duration, nor of equal importance, and there were some kings of considerable influence not of either dynasty. The history of these kings is but the history of the decline of Israel; its persistent course of wickedness that led to its removal from the land.

The chronology of this period is in some parts difficult to determine, the numbers given being at times conflicting, and at variance with data derived from outside sources, which are claimed to be reliable. It is not surprising that in the many numbers given, especially in the cross references from the one kingdom to the other, there should have errors crept into our text. Such errors, of course, do not make unreliable the facts presented.

2. The reign of Jeroboam I. was important not simply because he was the first king of Israel, but because of the policy he adopted to strengthen his kingdom against the possibility of its submitting again to the kings of Judah. He encouraged the spirit of independence and sought to offer to his people all the advantages they might obtain by a union with the southern kingdom. They would especially feel the loss of a central place of worship recognized as the one where Jehovah had shown his presence, and in order to supply this want another place of worship with its feasts and priesthood was established. Jeroboam did not do this be cause he was anxious to have his people serve Jehovah, but because he was afraid he would lose his kingdom.

3. Because of Jeroboam's sin he was told that his family would not be established on the throne. His son reigned a short time and then was killed by Baasha, of the tribe of Issachar. The latter became king, and his reign is characterized especially by the warfare carried on with Judah. At this time Syria began to exert an influence in the affairs of Israel, having been requested to make an alliance with Judah against Israel. Baasha's son reigned a short time, was killed by Zimri, who committed suicide after a reign of seven days, and was succeeded by Omri, founder of one of the most powerful dynasties of Israel. He was probably of the tribe of Ephraim. Omri purchased the hill of Samaria and made it the capital of the northern kingdom. His reign was not a long one, but it must have been of considerable importance, for on the Assyrian monuments the country of Israel is referred to as “The house of Omri.”

4. The son of Omri, Ahab, was on the whole the most influential king that Israel had. No other did so much to bring about the destruction of the nation as a punishment for its sins. By his alliance with Phænicia through his marriage to Jezebel the way was opened for the introduction of Kaal worship as the national religion. Ahab was at war with Syria most of his time. For the first time since the separation of the tribes a partial alliance was made with Judah. Jehoshaphat aided Ahab against the Syrians, and his son married the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. It was during the reign of Ahab that the prophet Elijah was engaged in his mission to turn back the hearts of the people to Jehovah. The tendency of the king to override the rights of the people is shown in Ahab's reign when he took the vineyard of Naboth. The two sons of Ahab who succeede: him continued in their father's footsteps. Elisha's miracles of mercy did not lead the people to repentance. Conflicts with varying success were kept up with Syria.

5. The punishment that had been threatened against Ahab and all his house was inflicted by Jehu. The latter had been a valiant warrior and made at least a vigorous king. He zealously destroyed all of Ahab's family who could be found, showed that the worship of Baal was not to be tolerated, and yet continued in the sin of Jeroboam in worshiping the calves of Bethel. The power of Assyria was beginning to be felt in Israel at this time. One of its greatest kings subdued Samaria, then marched to the sea coast where he received tribute from Jehu, king of Israel. Four kings succeeded Jehu before his dynasty was displaced. The reign of Joash was of some importance, the king of Judah being defeated by him in battle.

6. Jeroboam II. was the best king of the line of Jehu, and perhaps the best of all the kings who reigned over Israel. He seems to have been favored by the fact that Assyria at the time of his reign was not so able to cope with all her enemies, thus giving an opportunity to Israel to somewhat extend her dominions beyond the limits to which they ha! been restricted by the encroachments of her enemies. But Israel had become too thoroughly corrupt to be saved from overthrow. It had given up that reliance upon Jehovah that might have been a barrier against any enemy. The Assyrian power would soon sweep over the land of Israel and fulfill the threatsmade long before. The reign of Jeroboam's son, who was on the throne but a few months, brought the dynasty of Jehu to an end.

7. There were three other kings of Israel worth mentior. ing — Menahem, Pekah, and Hoshea. The chief interest in these men arises from the relation existing between Israel and the outside powers while they were kings. Menahem was compelled to pay a heavy tribute to Pul, king of Assyria, who is identified with Tiglath-pileser, mentioned a little later. Pekah, who had conspired against the son of Menahem, killed him, and ascended the throne in his place, made an alliance with Damascus against Judah, now ruled by Ahaz, but the latter sought help from the king of Assyria, and Pekah was defeated and soon after slain by Hoshea, probably with the approval of Tiglath-pileser.¹ Israel at this time was scarcely more than a province subject to Assyria, and Hoshea would have been wise if he had remained submissive to Shalmaneser IV., who had succeeded to the throne of Assyria, but he refused to pay tribute, and sent to the king of Egypt for help against their common enemy. Tolerance could no longer be shown to the rebellious Israelites, and they were deported according to a custom long practised by the Assyrians. Samaria was finally taken by Sargon, who had succeeded Shalmaneser, 721 B.C.

SUMMARY.

1. The succession of dynasties in Israel; most important of these. Difficulties in the chronology.

2. The reign of Jeroboam; the policy he adopted.

3. The reign of Baasha and Omri; the latter the founder of Samaria.

4. Importance of the reign of Ahab; his relations with Judah; his wickedness

5. The reign of Jehu; his zeal and faults.

6. The superior reign of Jeroboam II.; he strengthens the kingdom.

7. Reigns of Menahem, Pekah, and Hoshea; their subjection to Assyria, and the fall of the northern kingdom.

1) See Isa. 7:1, 2.