Kings of Israel

The northern kingdom began when ten tribes answered Rehoboam, "What portion do we have in David?" and made Jeroboam son of Nebat king (1 Kings 12:16–20). Fearing that pilgrimage to Jerusalem would turn hearts back to the house of David he made two calves of gold and set one in Bethel and one in Dan saying, "Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:26–29). From that point on the book of Kings measures every northern ruler by the same standard: he walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.

Nine dynasties followed in roughly two centuries, most of them ended by assassination. Nadab was struck down by Baasha while besieging Gibbethon (1 Kings 15:27–28). Elah was killed while drinking himself drunk, by Zimri, who then reigned seven days and burned the king's house over himself when the army made Omri, king instead (1 Kings 16:8–18). Omri bought the hill of Samaria and built the capital city there (1 Kings 16:24), and did more evil than all who were before him (1 Kings 16:25).

His son Ahab married Jezebel of the Sidonians, served Baal, and built a temple for him in Samaria (1 Kings 16:31–33). His reign is the setting of Elijah's confrontation on Mount Carmel and of Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 18:20–40; 1 Kings 21). Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper chamber and sent to inquire of Baal-zebub (2 Kings 1:2). Joram was shot through the heart by Jehu, who was anointed to strike down the house of Ahab killed Jezebel, and destroyed Baal out of Israel yet did not turn from the golden calves (2 Kings 9:24–33; 2 Kings 10:28–31).

Jehu's house held the throne for four generations, through Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam son of Jehoash, whose long reign restored the border of Israel (2 Kings 14:25), and Zechariah, who was struck down in public after six months by Shallum son of Jabesh (2 Kings 15:8–10). Shallum himself lasted one month before Menahem killed him (2 Kings 15:13–14). Menahem paid a thousand talents of silver to Tiglath-pileser of Assyria to confirm his hold on the kingdom (2 Kings 15:19–20), and his son Pekahiah was killed by Pekah, in whose days Tiglath-pileser carried people captive to Assyria (2 Kings 15:25–29).

The last king was Hoshea, who became a vassal of Shalmaneser and then sent messengers to Egypt and stopped paying tribute (2 Kings 17:3–4). Samaria was besieged three years and taken, and Israel was carried away to Assyria (2 Kings 17:5–6). The historian pauses to explain why: they had feared other gods, walked in the customs of the nations, and would not listen, "and the LORD removed Israel out of His sight" (2 Kings 17:7–23).