Kings--Part 6

Last Batch of Kings

I18--Hoshea-Hoshea assassinated Pekah. He ruled in Samaria for 9 years and began his reign in the 12 year of Ahaz of Judah.  Last king of Israel, conquered by and jailed by Assyrians.

J12-Hezekiah--Ahaz's son, he was 25 when he became king and reigned for 29 years.  He co-reigned with his father Ahaz for 14 years. His mother was Abijah, daughter of Zechariah.  He tore down altars, broke Moses' bronze serpent because people had been sacrificing to it.  The text states that he was "faithful to the Lord" and that he "trusted Him."  He revolted against the king of Assyria and refused to pay tribute to him.  Hezekiah is also credited with conquering the Philistines. 

J-13  Manasseh--55 years, only son of Hezekiah, 12 years old when began reign, first king to not have a direct experience with Israel who had gone into captivity.  Re-instituted pagan worship and undid reforms of his father.  The Assyrians put a ring in his nose, but he repented and prayed to the Lord.  The Lord heard him and brought him back to Jerusalem.  He rebuilt the outer wall in Jerusalem and instituted some level of turning away from pagan worship.  They still used pagan altars, but worshiped only God at them (2 Chronicles 33).

J-14  Amon--2 years, son of Manasseh, very into pagan practices which ultimately led to a revolt against him and his death.  Began reign at age 22, wife's name was .  He was assassinated by his servants, and 8 year old son, Josiah became king in his stead.

Note:  Jeremiah prophesied through the reign of Josiah and his sons, until the fall of Judah to Babylon into captivity.

J-15  Josiah--31 years, became king at age 8 after father, Amon, assassinated.   He is know for a major effort to compile the law and Judaic reforms, especially the Deuteronic Reforms. Josiah tore down pagan places and altars.  He had four sons, three of whom followed him in reign.

Josiah, despite being a very thorough reformer, ended up dying in battle because he chose not to listen to the King of Egypt, Neco.  Neco was on mission to attack the Assryians and tried to avoid fighting with Josiah. But Josiah disguised himself and went into battle, got killed.  The King of Egypt then put Jehoahaz, his son, in his place.

J-16  Jehoahaz/Shallum--3 months, son of Josiah, was 23 when became king.  Installed by the King of Egypt, Neco after his father died in battle.  He did what was evil. The king decided to put Eliakim in his place and jailed Jehoahaz in Egypt to keep him from ruling in Jerusalem, where he died.

J-17  Jehoiachim/Jehoiakim/Eliakim--11 years, son of Josiah, 25 years old when became king.  He did what was evil.  He levied a tax on the people to pay the tribute demanded by Neco.  According to Jeremiah, he made people build his palace for free (slave labor).

During the reign of Jehoiachim, the Lord tells Jeremiah to stand in the courtyard of the temple and declare His message.  Jeremiah was obedient and told the people that the temple would be destroyed and predicted doom for the people.  They responded by mobbing him and threatening to kill him.  The official of Judah responded by holding court at the new gate of the temple.  Jeremiah testified before all that his message is from the Lord, do to me what you will.  If the people turn, they can still be saved.  The officials then listen to Jeremiah and defend him by reminding them of when Micah prophesied during Hezekiah's reign and the people turned and repented to avert disaster.  Uriah was also prophesying at this time and predicted the same thing Jeremiah did.  Jehoiachim heard what he was saying and chased him all the way to Egypt, dragged him back, and killed him by the sword.  Nevertheless Ahikim advocated for Jeremiah in court and averted death.

Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah during this time. Jehoiachim paid tribute to him for 3 years but then rebelled. Then the Lord sent bands of raiders (Moabite, Babylonian, Ammonite, Aramean) to destroy them as had been predicted.

J-18  Jehoiachin/Jeconiah/--3 months, son of Jehoiachim

J-19  Zedekiah/Mattanyahu--11 months---then Judah conquered by Babylon, exile