Multiple Kings with Same Name in Old Testament
The Old Testament records multiple instances of kings sharing the same name, which can sometimes lead to confusion for readers. This phenomenon is observed across different periods and kingdoms within the biblical narrative.
One prominent example is Jeroboam. The first Jeroboam was the initial king of the divided kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 975-954 B.C. He was an Ephraimite whom Solomon elevated to a supervisory role over taxes and labor before Jeroboam began to aim for the monarchy himself [2, 4]. This Jeroboam is noted for introducing idolatry at the beginning of his reign [4]. Later, an eighth king of the northern kingdom of Israel also bore the name Jeroboam [4].
Similarly, the name Ahab appears for more than one figure. The most well-known Ahab was a king of Israel, the son of Omri and husband of Jezebel [5, 6]. Another individual named Ahab is mentioned as a false prophet executed by Nebuchadnezzar during the time of Jeremiah [5].
The book of Joshua lists numerous kings of various cities, such as the king of Jerusalem and the king of Hebron, totaling thirty-one kings in all [1, 3, 7]. While their names are not all provided, the sheer number of rulers in a relatively confined geographical area suggests the possibility of repeated names over time. For instance, John Gill identifies the king of Jerusalem as Adonizedek and the king of Hebron as Hoham [7].
Even within families, identical names could appear. David had several sons, and while the Septuagint lists twenty-four, Adam Clarke notes that there are two of the name Nathan, two of Eliphalath, and two of Naphek, suggesting some corruption or repetition in the naming [8]. In the family of Jehoshaphat, two of his brethren, sons of Jehoshaphat, were named Azariah [9].
The practice of repeating names, whether within a dynasty or across different historical periods, is a feature of the Old Testament record. This can necessitate careful attention to context and lineage when identifying specific individuals, particularly kings, to avoid conflating different historical figures [10, 11]. The northern kingdom of Israel, in particular, experienced a period of rapid succession and political intrigue with multiple kings, some of whom may have shared names, though not explicitly detailed in every instance [12].
Sources
- Joshua “the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; -- Joshua 12:10”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jeroboam — (whose people are many). + The first king of the divided kingdom of Israel, B.C. 975-954, was the son of an Ephraimite of the name of Nebat. He was raised by Solomon to the rank of superintendent over the taxes and labors exacted from the tribe of Ephraim. (1 Kings 11:28) he made the most of his position, and at last was perceived by Solomon to be aiming at the monarchy. He was leaving Jerusalem, when he was met by Ahijah the prophet, who gave him the assurance that, on condition of obedience to his laws, God would establish for him a kingdom and dynasty eq”
- Joshua “Joshua 12:24 (BSB) — and the king of Tirzah, one. So there were thirty-one kings in all.”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H3379] H3379G = (H3379G) — A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of United Monarchyand Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.11.26; <br> son of: Nebat (H5028) and Zeruah (H6871); <br> father of: Abijah (H0029H), Nadab (H5070H)<BR> § Jeroboam = "the people will contend"<br>1) the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel when the kingdom split at the death of Solomon and the 10 tribes split off from Judah and Benjamin and the kingdom under Solomon's son Rehoboam; idolatry was introduced at the beginning of his reign<br>2) the 8th king of the northern kingdom of Israel, son ”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H0256] H0256G = (H0256G) — A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.16.28; <br> son of: Omri (H6018); married to Jezebel (H0348); <br> father of: Joash (H3101H), Ahaziah (H0274), Joram (H3141H), Athaliah (H6271)<BR> § Ahab = "father's brother"<br>1) king of Israel, son of Omri, husband of Jezebel<br>2) false prophet executed by Nebuchadrezzar, time of Jeremiah”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H0256G — King living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A king of Northern Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.16.28; <b)”
- Joshua (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Joshua 12:10: The king of Jerusalem, one,.... Whose name was Adonizedek, and was one of the five kings taken and hanged, Jos 10:1, the king of Hebron, one; another of the five kings, whose name was Hoham, Jos 10:3.”
- 2 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Samuel 5:14: These be the names - Eleven children are here enumerated in the Hebrew text; but the Septuagint has no less than twenty-four. I shall insert their names, and the reader if he please may collate them with the text: Sammus, Sobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ebear, Elisue, Naphek, Jephies, Elisama, Elidae, Eliphalath, Samae, Jessibath, Nathan, Galimaan, Jebaar, Theesus, Eliphalat, Naged, Naphek, Jonathan, Leasamus, Baalimath, and Eliphaath. There is no doubt some corruption in these names; there are two of the name of Nathan, two of Eliphalath, and two of Naphek; and probably ”
- 2 Chronicles (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Chronicles 21:1: Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers,.... See Gill on Kg1 22:50. . 2 Chronicles 21:2 ch2 21:2 ch2 21:2 ch2 21:2And he had brethren, the sons of Jehoshaphat,.... That is, Jehoram had, who succeeded him: their names follow: Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah; two of them were of the same name; though it may be observed, that in the Hebrew text they are somewhat distinguished, the latter is called Azariah; Jehiel is said, by the Jews (x), to be the same with Hiel that rebuilt Jericho; indeed it was rebuilt in the tim”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 1:7: And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8. And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias--or Uzziah. Three kings are here omitted--Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah (Ch1 3:11-12). Some omissions behooved to be made, to compress the whole into three fourteens (Mat 1:17). The reason why these, rather than other names, are omitted, must be sought in religious considerations--either in the connection of those kings with the house of Ahab (as LIGHTFOOT, EBRARD, and ALFORD view it); in their slender right to b”
- 1 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 15 (introduction): In this chapter we have an abstract of the history, I. Of two of the kings of Judah, Abijam, the days of whose reign were few and evil (Kg1 15:1-8), and Asa, who reigned well and long (v. 9-24). II. Of two of the kings of Israel, Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and Baasha the destroyer of Jeroboam's house (Kg1 15:25-34).”
- Hosea (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hosea 7:3: 7:3-7 The northern kingdom of Israel saw a succession of seven different kings during the final twenty-five years of its existence, four of whom were assassinated by usurpers. This passage refers to the vicious and bloody political intrigue that characterized these years. 7:3 The prophet did not record the name of this king, but many believe he was Hoshea, the northern kingdom’s last monarch.”