The term "Kings" in the Bible primarily refers to the rulers of Israel and Judah, as well as the title of two historical books in the Old Testament: 1 Kings and 2 Kings. These books provide a detailed account of the monarchy in ancient Israel, covering the reigns of various kings, their deeds, and their relationship with God.

Historical Context

The institution of kingship in Israel began with Saul, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel as the first king (1 Samuel 10:1). This marked a significant transition from the period of the judges to a centralized monarchy. The desire for a king was expressed by the Israelites in 1 Samuel 8:5, where they said, "Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations." Despite God's warning about the potential pitfalls of human kingship, He granted their request.

The United Monarchy

The united monarchy consisted of three kings: Saul, David, and Solomon. Saul's reign was marked by disobedience to God, leading to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:26). David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), succeeded Saul and established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. His reign is noted for military conquests and the establishment of a covenant with God (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Solomon, David's son, is renowned for his wisdom and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6). However, his later years were marred by idolatry and political alliances through marriage, which led to the division of the kingdom after his death (1 Kings 11:11).

The Divided Kingdom

Following Solomon's reign, the kingdom split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The northern kingdom, consisting of ten tribes, was led by Jeroboam, while the southern kingdom, comprising the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, remained under the rule of Solomon's son, Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:20-21).

The books of 1 and 2 Kings detail the reigns of the kings in both kingdoms, highlighting their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God. The northern kingdom experienced a series of dynastic changes and was characterized by idolatry, leading to its eventual conquest by the Assyrians in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:6).

In contrast, the southern kingdom of Judah had a mixture of righteous and wicked kings. Notable righteous kings include Hezekiah, who enacted religious reforms and trusted in God during the Assyrian siege (2 Kings 18:5-7), and Josiah, who rediscovered the Book of the Law and renewed the covenant with God (2 Kings 22:8-13). Despite these efforts, Judah ultimately fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC, resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (2 Kings 25:9).

Theological Themes

The narrative of the kings in the Bible underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness. The kings were expected to lead the people in obedience to God's laws, as outlined in Deuteronomy 17:18-20, which instructs the king to write for himself a copy of the law and read it all his life. The success or failure of a king was often measured by his adherence to God's commandments and his efforts to rid the land of idolatry.

The books of Kings also emphasize God's sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience. Despite human failure, God's promises and purposes prevail, as seen in the preservation of the Davidic line and the eventual coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Revelation 19:16).

Prophetic Voices

Throughout the period of the kings, prophets played a crucial role in guiding, warning, and rebuking the monarchs. Figures such as Elijah and Elisha in the northern kingdom, and Isaiah and Jeremiah in the southern kingdom, served as God's messengers, calling the kings and the people back to covenant faithfulness. Their ministries highlight the ongoing tension between divine authority and human leadership.

Conclusion

The history of the kings in the Bible serves as a profound narrative of human leadership under divine authority. It reflects the complexities of governance, the challenges of faithfulness, and the enduring hope in God's redemptive plan through the lineage of David.KINGS' SEPULCHRES

(2 Chronicles 21:20).

See JERUSALEM, VIII.

2264. Herodes -- perhaps "son of a hero," Herod, the name of ...
... perhaps "son of a hero," Herod, the name of several kings of the Jews. Part of Speech:
Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Herodes Phonetic Spelling: (hay-ro'-dace ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2264.htm - 6k

935. basileus -- a king
... Cognate: 935 -- a (sovereign); often referring to Christ who is "the King of kings"
(Rev 19:16), ie King over the Kingdom of the heavens (God). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/935.htm - 7k

5511. chlamus -- a chlamys or short cloak
... 5511 -- "a short cloak worn by soldiers, military officers, magistrates, kings,
emperors, etc" (J. Thayer) -- the Latin , the garment of "dignity" (office ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5511.htm - 7k

936. basileuo -- to be king, reign
... Word Origin from basileus Definition to be king, reign NASB Word Usage become kings
(2), kings (1), reign (12), reigned (4), reigning (1), reigns (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/936.htm - 7k

934. basileios -- royal
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: basileios Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-il'-i-os) Short Definition: courtiers, palaces, a body of kings, royal Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/934.htm - 6k

5328. Pharao -- Pharaoh, an Eg. king
... Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Pharao Phonetic Spelling: (far-ah-o') Short
Definition: Pharaoh Definition: Pharaoh, the title of ancient Egyptian kings. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5328.htm - 6k

490. Antiocheia -- Antioch, the name of two cities
... Word Origin from Antiochos (Antiochus, the name of a number of Syrian kings) Definition
Antioch, the name of two cities NASB Word Usage Antioch (18). Antioch. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/490.htm - 6k

1130. Ben-hadad -- "son of Hadad," the name of several Aramean ...
... "son of Hadad," the name of several Aramean (Syrian) kings. Transliteration:
Ben-hadad Phonetic Spelling: (ben-had-ad') Short Definition: Ben-hadad. ...
/hebrew/1130.htm - 6k

6547. Paroh -- a title of Egypt kings
... a title of Egypt kings. Transliteration: Paroh Phonetic Spelling: (par-o') Short
Definition: Pharaoh. ... kings NASB Word Usage Pharaoh (214), Pharaoh's (53). ...
/hebrew/6547.htm - 5k

3379. Yarobam -- "the people increase," the name of two Israelites ...
... Yarobam. 3380 . "the people increase," the name of two Israelites kings.
Transliteration: Yarobam Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rob-awm') Short Definition: Jeroboam ...
/hebrew/3379.htm - 6k

2985. Yabin -- "one who is intelligent," two Canaanite kings
... 2984, 2985. Yabin. 2986 . "one who is intelligent," two Canaanite kings.
Transliteration: Yabin Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-bene') Short Definition: Jabin. ...
/hebrew/2985.htm - 6k

1867. Dareyavesh -- the name of several Pers. kings
... the name of several Pers. kings. Transliteration: Dareyavesh Phonetic Spelling:
(daw-reh-yaw-vaysh') Short Definition: Darius. ... kings NASB Word Usage Darius (10). ...
/hebrew/1867.htm - 6k

1868. Dareyavesh -- two Pers. kings
... two Pers. kings. Transliteration: Dareyavesh Phonetic Spelling: (daw-reh-yaw-vaysh')
Short Definition: Darius. ... kings NASB Word Usage Darius (15). Darius. ...
/hebrew/1868.htm - 6k

7249. Rab-saris -- perhaps "chief eunuch," an official of the ...
... and Bab. kings. Transliteration: Rab-saris Phonetic Spelling: (rab-saw-reece') Short
Definition: Rab-saris. ... and Bab. kings NASB Word Usage Rab-saris (3). ...
/hebrew/7249.htm - 6k

3103. Yobab -- a son of Joktan, also his desc., also two non-Isr. ...
... kings, also two Benjamites. Transliteration: Yobab Phonetic Spelling: (yo-bawb')
Short Definition: Jobab. ... kings, also two Benjamites NASB Word Usage Jobab (9). ...
/hebrew/3103.htm - 6k

7800. Shushan -- residence of Pers. kings
... residence of Pers. kings. Transliteration: Shushan Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-shan')
Short Definition: Susa. ... kings NASB Word Usage Susa (21). Shushan. ...
/hebrew/7800.htm - 6k

2537. Chamutal -- perhaps "my husband's father is the dew," mother ...
... perhaps "my husband's father is the dew," mother of two kings of Judah. Transliteration:
Chamutal Phonetic Spelling: (kham-oo-tal') Short Definition: Hamutal. ...
/hebrew/2537.htm - 6k

The Story of Prophets and Kings
The Story of Prophets and Kings. <. The Story of Prophets and Kings Ellen
Gould White. Table of Contents. Title Page. Prophets and Kings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the story of prophets and kings/

Kings
... KINGS. The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical
narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/kings.htm

On Kings.
... Part I."Exegetical. On Kings. The question is raised, whether Samuel rose
by the hand of the sorceress or not. And if, indeed, we ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on kings.htm

Kings and Priests
... KINGS AND PRIESTS. the correct text and translation is as follows, and
read on from the last expression: "And made (not hath made ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/kings and priests.htm

The Record of Two Kings
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS THE RECORD OF TWO KINGS. 'In the thirty and first
year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

The Prince of the Kings of the Earth
... THE PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. This is a title used only in this
book (i.5). Many kings are mentioned and referred to in the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the prince of the kings.htm

Five Kings in a Cave
... FIVE KINGS IN A CAVE. TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out
those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/five kings in a cave.htm

Of the Kings and Times of the Earthly City which were Synchronous ...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 2."Of the Kings and Times of the Earthly City Which Were
Synchronous with the Times of the Saints, Reckoning from the Rise of Abraham. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of the kings and.htm

'Before Governors and Kings'
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END 'BEFORE GOVERNORS AND KINGS'. 'Whereupon, O king
Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/before governors and kings.htm

Seventeenth Day for Kings and Rulers
... SEVENTEENTH DAY For Kings and Rulers. WHAT TO PRAY."For Kings and Rulers
="I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/seventeenth day for kings and.htm

Kings'
Kings'. King's, Kings'. Kingship . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia KINGS'
SEPULCHRES. (2 Chronicles 21:20). See JERUSALEM, VIII. ...
/k/kings'.htm - 6k

Kings (350 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Kings, The Books of. The two books of Kings formed
originally but one book in the Hebrew Scriptures. The ...
/k/kings.htm - 61k

Shrines (40 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Kings 12:31 He made houses of high places, and made priests from among
all the people, who were not of the sons of Levi. (See NIV). ...
/s/shrines.htm - 19k

Shutting (43 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 11:1 Now in the spring, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent
Joab and his servants and all Israel with him; and they made waste the land ...
/s/shutting.htm - 19k

Shim'ei (40 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 1:8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the
prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men that belonged to David, were ...
/s/shim'e-i.htm - 16k

Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 12:10 It was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that
the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags and ...
/s/secretary.htm - 18k

Sacrificing (39 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Kings 3:2 Only, the people are sacrificing in high places, for there
hath not been built a house for the name of Jehovah till those days. ...
/s/sacrificing.htm - 19k

Shrine (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 14:24 and there were also sodomites in the land: they did according to all
the abominations of the nations which Yahweh drove out before the children ...
/s/shrine.htm - 18k

Sun (1708 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 23:11; Jeremiah 19:13). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ... (markebhoth ha-shemesh):
These, together with "horses of the sun," are mentioned in 2 Kings 23:11. ...
/s/sun.htm - 14k

Supports (25 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 6:31 For the way into the inmost room he made doors of olive-wood,
the arch and the door supports forming a five-sided opening. (BBE). ...
/s/supports.htm - 14k

Summary of the Book of 2 Kings - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What is the divine right of kings? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 1 Kings - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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