Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, was the third king of Israel and is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often considered the golden age of Israel. Solomon's descendants played significant roles in the history of Israel and Judah, and their lineage is chronicled in various parts of the Bible.

Rehoboam

Rehoboam was Solomon's son and successor. His reign marked the beginning of the divided kingdom. Upon Solomon's death, Rehoboam ascended to the throne, but his harsh policies led to the secession of the ten northern tribes, forming the kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam. Rehoboam retained control over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, thus ruling the southern kingdom of Judah. The account of Rehoboam's reign is detailed in 1 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 10-12. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king" (1 Kings 12:1).

Abijah

Abijah, also known as Abijam, was the son of Rehoboam and succeeded him as king of Judah. His reign was marked by conflict with Jeroboam of Israel. Despite his short reign, Abijah is noted for his speech on Mount Zemaraim, where he appealed to the Israelites to remain faithful to the covenant with the LORD. His account is found in 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13. The BSB records, "Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place" (1 Kings 15:8).

Asa

Asa, the son of Abijah, was a reformer king who sought to rid Judah of idolatry and restore the worship of the LORD. His reign was characterized by religious reforms and relative peace, although he faced military challenges from Baasha, king of Israel. Asa's commitment to God is highlighted in 2 Chronicles 14-16. The BSB notes, "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God" (2 Chronicles 14:2).

Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, continued his father's reforms and strengthened the kingdom of Judah. He is remembered for his judicial reforms and efforts to educate the people in the Law of the LORD. Jehoshaphat also formed alliances with the kingdom of Israel, which had mixed results. His reign is detailed in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 17-20. The BSB states, "The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David" (2 Chronicles 17:3).

Further Descendants

The lineage of Solomon continued through the kings of Judah, including notable figures such as Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah. Each of these kings had varying degrees of faithfulness to God, impacting the spiritual and political state of Judah. The line of Solomon ultimately culminated in the Babylonian exile, but it is significant in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. The BSB records, "Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa" (Matthew 1:7).

The descendants of Solomon, through their actions and decisions, played pivotal roles in the unfolding narrative of the Old Testament, shaping the history and spiritual journey of the people of Israel and Judah.