Israel prays to God in 1 Samuel 8 for a king to rule over them. God had been leading Israel up until that moment, giving rescue and victory, anointing prophets and judges to assist in leading his people. Israel eventually pleaded for a King to govern over them so they could be like the other countries because they were upset by having to live by faith in God.
The populace had to decide on the requirements after deciding to choose a king. God did not disregard His people; instead, He provided instructions for the leaders they would choose.
The king would be in charge of seeing that the people carried out God’s will.
He was tasked with protecting people from danger and guiding them down the correct road. God’s people had to choose someone carefully who could be trusted with such power since this is a lofty calling.
Following Saul’s inauguration as Israel’s first king, “Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship” (10:25). God foresaw the day when His people would demand a king. God had already provided a description of the ideal candidate for the position of king among His people in the book of Deuteronomy.
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Kings In the Bible In Order
The bible record the reign of several kings, their impacts, and how some fail and succeeded. Here is a list of kings in the bible in order:
List of Kings In the Bible
- Saul – The first king of Israel (1 Samuel)
- David – A shepherd who became a renowned king (2 Samuel)
- Solomon – Known for his wisdom and building the temple (1 Kings)
- Rehoboam – Son of Solomon, the kingdom divided under his reign (1 Kings)
- Jeroboam – King of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division (1 Kings)
- Asa – King of Judah known for religious reforms (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
- Jehoshaphat – Another reforming king of Judah (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
- Ahab – A notable king of Israel, associated with Elijah (1 Kings)
- Jehu – A king of Israel who carried out God’s judgment (2 Kings)
- Joash – King of Judah who repaired the temple (2 Kings)
- Uzziah (Azariah) – A prosperous king of Judah (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
- Hezekiah – A righteous king who sought God’s help (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
- Manasseh – A wicked king who later repented (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
- Josiah – A reforming king who rediscovered the Law (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
- Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) – King of Judah taken into exile (2 Kings)
- Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon during the exile (Daniel)
- Belshazzar – Last king of Babylon, during the fall (Daniel)
- Cyrus the Great – Persian king who allowed Jews to return (Ezra)
- Darius the Mede – Another Persian king in Daniel’s time (Daniel)
- Artaxerxes – Persian king who supported rebuilding Jerusalem (Ezra, Nehemiah)
- Alexander the Great – Conqueror who impacted the Jewish world (Historical context)
- Herod the Great – Ruler of Judea during Jesus’ birth (Matthew)
There are other kings and rulers mentioned in various parts of the Bible. The kings listed above are significant figures within the biblical narrative.
List of Kings In the Bible
Many more king names are mentioned in the Bible, especially when considering various genealogies, minor rulers, and other historical contexts. Here are a few more king names from the Bible:
- Omri – King of Israel (1 Kings)
- Jehoshaphat – King of Israel (1 Kings)
- Ahaziah – King of Israel (1 Kings, 2 Kings)
- Joram – King of Israel (1 Kings, 2 Kings)
- Jehoahaz – King of Israel (2 Kings)
- Jehoash – King of Israel (2 Kings)
- Jehoahaz – King of Judah (2 Kings)
- Jehoiakim – King of Judah (2 Kings, Jeremiah)
- Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) – King of Judah (2 Kings)
- Zedekiah – Last king of Judah (2 Kings, Jeremiah)
- Hoshea – Last king of Israel (2 Kings)
- Hiram – King of Tyre (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
- Baasha – King of Israel (1 Kings)
- Elah – King of Israel (1 Kings)
- Zimri – King of Israel (1 Kings)
- Tibni – Competing king of Israel (1 Kings)
- Menahem – King of Israel (2 Kings)
- Pekahiah – King of Israel (2 Kings)
- Pekah – King of Israel (2 Kings)
- Jehoiada – High priest and regent during Athaliah’s rule (2 Kings)
- Zechariah – King of Israel (2 Kings)
- Shallum – King of Israel (2 Kings)
- Merodach-Baladan – King of Babylon (Isaiah)
- Neco II – Pharaoh of Egypt (2 Kings, Jeremiah)
- Nebuchadnezzar II – King of Babylon (Daniel, Jeremiah)
- Evil-Merodach – King of Babylon (2 Kings, Jeremiah)
- Artaxerxes II – Persian king (Ezra, Nehemiah)
- Demetrius I – Seleucid ruler (1 Maccabees)
- Antiochus IV Epiphanes – Seleucid ruler (1 Maccabees)
- Alexander Jannaeus – Hasmonean king (Historical context)
- Aristobulus I – Hasmonean king (Historical context)
Here’s A List Of The Kings of Israel
- King Jeroboam
- King Nadab
- King Baasha
- King Elah
- King Zimri
- King Omri
- King Ahab
- King Ahaziah
- King Jehoram
- King Jehu
- King Jehoahaz
- King Joash
- King Jeroboam II
- King Zachariah
- King Shallum
- King Menaham
- King Pekahiah
- King Pekah
- King Hoshea
The three prominent kings from the Bible
Here are summaries of the lives of three prominent kings from the Bible, including their reigns, achievements, and eventual downfalls:
- 1. King David
- 2. King Solomon
- 3. King Hezekiah
1. King David
Reign: David reigned as the second king of Israel, around 1010 to 970 BCE.
Successes: David is renowned for a number of accomplishments, including his victory over the enormous Goliath, the designation of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and his military expeditions that successfully increased Israel’s territory. He was also a talented poet and musician who wrote several of the Psalms.
Downfall: Despite his great accomplishments, David’s shortcomings on the personal and moral front ultimately led to his collapse. The most well-known event included his liaison with Bathsheba and his subsequent planning of Uriah’s demise. His family went through a time of turbulence as a result of these acts, which included his kids rebelling and acting violently.
2. King Solomon
Reign: Solomon succeeded David and reigned from around 970 to 931 BCE.
Successes: Solomon is renowned for his great wisdom, the First Temple he built in Jerusalem, as well as his extensive trade and affluence. The biblical Book of Proverbs contains several of his proverbial writings, which are likewise well-known.
Downfall: Solomon’s devotion to God deteriorated in his older years. Through his marriages to foreign ladies who brought idolatry and other foreign customs, he amassed enormous money and formed powerful ties. God was therefore dissatisfied, and following Solomon’s demise, there was strife and split in the kingdom of Israel.
3. King Hezekiah
Reign: Hezekiah ruled Judah from around 715 to 686 BCE.
Successes: Hezekiah is lauded for his religious reforms, which were intended to eliminate idolatry and reinstate the adoration of the one true God. During the reign of King Sennacherib, he also strengthened Jerusalem and successfully defended the city against the Assyrian invasion.
Downfall: Hezekiah experienced a period of illness and political difficulties, but his downfall was less dramatic than that of some previous kings. He displayed his possessions to envoys from Babylon out of pride, which caused the prophet Isaiah to foretell the coming Babylonian exile.
These accounts highlight the complexity of the lives of these biblical kings, with their successes and achievements often accompanied by personal flaws or moral lapses. The Bible presents these stories as both historical narratives and moral lessons, showing the consequences of human actions and the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commands.
FAQs About Kings In The Bible
1. Who are the prominent kings in the Bible?
Prominent biblical kings include King David, King Solomon, and King Hezekiah, among others. These figures play significant roles in the history of Israel and in the prophecies about the coming Messiah.
2. Who is the most famous king in the Bible?
Solomon was the biblical king most famous for his wisdom. In 1 Kings he sacrificed to God, and God later appeared to him in a dream, asking what Solomon wanted from God.
3. Who was the first king in the Bible?
Saul, Hebrew Shaʾul, (flourished 11th century bce, Israel), first king of Israel (c. 1021–1000 bce). According to the biblical account found mainly in 1 Samuel, Saul was chosen king both by judge Samuel and by public acclamation. Saul was similar to the charismatic judges who preceded him in the role of governing.
4. Who is the true king in the Bible?
Along with his many other titles (Savior, Teacher, Son of Man, and Son of God), the Bible declares that Jesus is the world’s true King. His kingdom is unlike any this world has ever seen or known. And coming to know and follow him as King is the greatest adventure of our lives.
5. Who was the youngest king in the Bible?
Jehoash was 7 years old when his reign began, and he reigned for 40 years. (2 Kings 12:1, 2 Chronicles 24:1) He was succeeded by his son, Amaziah of Judah.
6. Who was king at 8 in the Bible?
Josiah was the grandson of Manasseh, king of Judah, and ascended the throne at age eight after the assassination of his father, Amon, in 641.
7. Who are the powerful kings in the Bible?
The three greatest kings of Israel were Saul, David, and Solomon. However, many years later, a different king would come. This king was born in a stable, not a palace. He served the sick, the poor, and the needy and was without sin. His name is Jesus.
8. Who was the richest king in the Bible?
In the Old Testament, the Bible mentions the richest and wisest man who ever lived. He was King Solomon. By following his strategy, we can become more prudent and wealthy. King Solomon has written more than 3000 Proverbs, and some of his proverbs are in Bible.
