THE DIVIDED MONARCHY: JUDAH (Southern Kingdom)

Promoted religious reforms and sent officials to teach the law throughout Judah.
Strengthened alliances with Israel through marriage and military cooperation.
Won a miraculous victory against a coalition of enemies through worship and prayer.

Married Ahab's daughter, Athaliah.
Introduced Baal worship.

Brief reign. Allied with Israel against Aram.

Queen who seized the throne after her son's death.
Promoted Baal worship.
Overthrown in a coup led by Jehoiada the priest.

Undertook significant repairs to the Temple in Jerusalem, organizing a system to collect offerings for the work.
Early in his reign, Joash was mentored by the high priest Jehoiada, who influenced him to follow the ways of the Lord.
Initially promoted the worship of Yahweh and discouraged idolatry while under Jehoiada's guidance, but after Jehoiada's death, Joash turned away from God and allowed idolatry to flourish.
Faced attacks from the Arameans, leading to the loss of significant treasures from the Temple.
Ordered the stoning of Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, for rebuking the king and the people for their unfaithfulness to God.
Assassinated by his servants in a conspiracy due to his unpopularity in his later years.

Military success against Edom but introduced idols.
After a series of unpopular decisions and military defeats, a conspiracy arose against him in Jerusalem. He fled to Lachish, but the conspirators pursued him there and killed him.

Expanded Judah's territory by defeating the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites.
Strengthened Judah's defenses by fortifying Jerusalem with towers and advanced weaponry, including war machines for shooting arrows and hurling stones, and built and equipped a powerful, well-trained army.
Developed agriculture and dug wells, showing a strong focus on the land's productivity.
Fostered trade and infrastructure, leading to a period of wealth and stability.
Sought the Lord under the guidance of Zechariah, and as long as he sought God, he prospered.
Became prideful due to his success and attempted to burn incense in the Temple, a role reserved only for priests. God struck him with leprosy for his arrogance, and he lived in isolation for the rest of his life. He was buried in a field near the royal tombs because of his leprosy, signaling his dishonor despite his earlier achievements.
Due to his leprosy, his son Jotham ruled as co-regent during his later years.

Built infrastructure and maintained faithfulness to God.

Wicked king who introduced pagan practices.
Aligned with Assyria.

Instituted sweeping religious reforms: removed high places, destroyed idols, and broke the bronze serpent (Nehushtan) that had become an object of idolatry.
Restored proper worship in the Temple and re-established the celebration of the Passover, inviting the remnant of Israel to join.
Revived the Levitical priesthood and restructured temple service.
Rebelled against Assyria, refusing to pay tribute.
Strengthened Judah's defenses by fortifying Jerusalem and preparing for an Assyrian invasion, including securing water supply through the construction of the Siloam Tunnel.
Miraculously delivered from Assyria when God struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers under Sennacherib's command after Hezekiah prayed for deliverance.
When afflicted with a terminal illness, he prayed to God, who granted him 15 additional years of life.
Welcomed envoys from Babylon and showed them Judah's wealth and treasures, a move that Isaiah rebuked as a sign of Judah's eventual downfall.
"He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah" (2 Kings 18:5-6).

Wicked king who introduced extreme idolatry.
Repented late in life.

Amon followed the idolatrous practices of his father, Manasseh, and was known for abandoning the worship of Yahweh.
Amon ruled for only two years before being killed by palace servants in his own house. The conspirators were killed by the people of the land, who then placed Amon's son, Josiah, on the throne.

Began seeking the Lord in his youth and initiated a national religious revival at age 20, purging Judah and Israel of idolatry, high places, Asherah poles, and Baal worship.
Repaired and restored the Temple in Jerusalem, initiating a renewed focus on proper worship.
During the Temple restoration, the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) was discovered. Josiah was deeply moved by its contents, leading to personal repentance and national reforms. He made a covenant before the Lord, pledging to follow His commands and urging the people to do the same.
Destroyed pagan altars, including the destruction of the altar at Bethel, fulfilling a prophecy from 1 Kings 13:2.
Reinstituted the celebration of the Passover, which had not been properly observed for centuries, making it a monumental event in Judah's history.
Rejected Assyrian influence and aimed to restore Judah's autonomy.
Despite warnings, Josiah confronted Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, who was traveling through Judah to aid Assyria. This led to Josiah's death in battle at Megiddo.

Deposed by Egypt.

Originally named Eliakim, he was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Necho II after deposing his brother Jehoahaz. His name was changed to Jehoiakim as a sign of subservience to Egypt.
Imposed heavy taxes on the people to pay tribute to Egypt.
After Babylon defeated Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish (605 BC), Judah became a vassal state to Babylon. Jehoiakim served King Nebuchadnezzar for three years before rebelling. This rebellion provoked Babylonian attacks and incursions by other neighboring nations.
Known for oppressive policies and shedding innocent blood, earning the condemnation of the prophet Jeremiah.
Rejected and burned a scroll containing Jeremiah's prophetic warnings, symbolizing his disdain for God's word (Jeremiah 36:20-24).

Became king as Babylon besieged Jerusalem due to his father Jehoiakim's rebellion. Faced overwhelming pressure from Nebuchadnezzar and quickly surrendered to Babylon to save the city.
Taken into captivity along with his family, officials, and 10,000 of Judah's elite, including craftsmen and soldiers, leaving the land impoverished. This was the first major deportation of Jews to Babylon, a key event leading to the Babylonian Exile.
He spent 37 years in Babylonian captivity. Eventually released and given a place of honor at the king's table by Evil-Merodach, Nebuchadnezzar's successor.

Installed as king by Nebuchadnezzar after the exile of Jehoiachin. Originally named Mattaniah, his name was changed to Zedekiah as a sign of Babylonian authority.
Allowed corruption and injustice to flourish in Judah, further alienating the people from God.
Initially pledged loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar but later rebelled, seeking support from Egypt, despite warnings from the prophet Jeremiah to remain loyal to Babylon (Jeremiah 27:12-22). This rebellion provoked Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem in 588 BC.
In 586 BC, after a two-year siege, Jerusalem was breached by Babylonian forces. The city was destroyed, the Temple burned, and the walls torn down, marking the final end of the Kingdom of Judah.
Zedekiah attempted to flee but was captured near Jericho. Forced to witness the execution of his sons before his eyes were gouged out, he was then taken in chains to Babylon, where he died in captivity.