Numbers of Israelite Kings in 1 and 2 Kings

The books of 1 and 2 Kings, originally a single book in the Hebrew canon, contain the history of the Israelite kingdoms from the reign of Solomon to the Babylonian exile ^{[2, 3]}. The division between 1 and 2 Kings is artificial, and the historical narrative continues uninterrupted from 1 Kings through 2 Kings, presenting a continuous history of Israel from the time of Joshua to the death of Jehoiachin ^[2].

The kings of Israel and Judah are a central focus of the narrative in 1 and 2 Kings. The kingdom divided into two after Solomon's reign, with the northern kingdom retaining the name "Israel" and the southern kingdom being called "Judah" ^[11]. The books record the reigns of 19 kings of Israel and 20 kings of Judah, though the count can vary depending on how one counts the reigns of certain monarchs and the legitimacy attributed to them ^[1].

The kings of Judah were generally considered more faithful to the Davidic covenant and the worship of Yahweh, while the kings of Israel often led the people into idolatry ^[5]. The narrative in 1 and 2 Kings is structured around the reigns of these kings, with the Deuteronomistic historian evaluating their faithfulness to God's laws and the consequences thereof.

In Israel, the kings included figures like Jeroboam I, who led the northern tribes away from the Davidic dynasty, and Jehu, whose dynasty lasted for four generations, as noted in 2 Kings 10:30 and commented on by Tyndale House ^[6]. The kings of Israel were often at odds with the prophets, who called them to repentance and faithfulness.

The count of kings in 1 and 2 Kings includes several notable figures in Judah, such as Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah, who are praised for their reforms and faithfulness. Conversely, kings like Manasseh are criticized for their idolatry ^[4]. The narrative concludes with the fall of both kingdoms, Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon, highlighting the consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Rabbinic tradition, as seen in Midrash Rabbah, engages with the concept of kingship in Israel, discussing the kings of Edom and their relation to Israelite kingship. Rashi, a prominent Jewish commentator, notes on 2 Kings 10:4 that there were two kings during a particular period, illustrating the complexity of the historical narrative ^{[8, 10]}.

The historical development and the theological interpretation of the kings' reigns in 1 and 2 Kings have been subjects of extensive commentary across various Christian traditions, including Reformed, Lutheran, and Baptist/Reformed interpretations ^{[4, 5, 6, 9]}. These commentaries often focus on the theological significance of the kings' actions and the prophetic messages addressed to them.

The narrative of 1 and 2 Kings serves as a critical component of the Hebrew Bible's historical and theological narrative, providing insights into the complexities of Israelite kingship, the challenges of maintaining faithfulness to Yahweh, and the consequences of disobedience. The division of the kingdom and the subsequent histories of Israel and Judah remain pivotal in understanding the biblical account of the Israelites' relationship with God.

The historical and theological significance of the kings in 1 and 2 Kings continues to be a subject of scholarly study and theological reflection, with various traditions offering insights into the meaning and implications of these biblical accounts ^{[4, 5, 6, 7, 9]}. The narrative's focus on the kings' faithfulness and the prophetic call to repentance underscores the enduring themes of covenant, obedience, and redemption in the biblical narrative.

The books of 1 and 2 Kings, with their detailed accounts of the Israelite kings, remain a foundational part of biblical history and theology, offering lessons on leadership, faithfulness, and the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Kings — of Judah and Israel. For the list see table at the end of this volume.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Kings, First And Second Books Of — originally only one book in the Hebrew canon, from in the LXX. and the Vulgate the third and fourth books of Kings (the books of Samuel being the first and second). It must be remembered that the division between the books of Kings and Samuel is equally artificial, and that in point of fact the historical books commencing with Judges and ending with 2Kings present the appearance of one work, giving a continuous history of Israel from the time of Joshua to the death of jehoiachin. The books of Kings contain the history from David's de”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kings, The Books of — The two books of Kings formed originally but one book in the Hebrew Scriptures. The present division into two books was first made by the LXX., which now, with the Vulgate, numbers them as the third and fourth books of Kings, the two books of Samuel being the first and second books of Kings. They contain the annals of the Jewish commonwealth from the accession of Solomon till the subjugation of the kingdom by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians (apparently a period of about four hundred and fifty-three years). The books of Chronicles (q.v.) are m”
2 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Kings 15 (introduction): In this chapter, I. The history of two of the kings of Judah is briefly recorded: - 1. Of Azariah, or Uzziah (Kg2 15:1-7). 2. Of Jotham his son (Kg2 15:32-38). II. The history of many of the kings of Israel that reigned at the same time is given us in short, five in succession, all of whom, except one, went down slain to the pit, and their murders were their successors. 1. Zachariah, the last of the house of Jehu, reigned six months, and then was slain and succeeded by Shallum (Kg2 15:8-12). 2. Shallum reigned one month, and then was slain and succee”
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).”
2 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Kings 10:30: 10:30 God fulfilled his promise of a royal line to the fourth generation; four generations of Jehu’s descendants reigned as kings of Israel (Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam II, and Zechariah).”
Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 83:2: Rabbi Aivu said: Before a king reigned in Israel, [but once there was a king in Israel], 3 Addition to the text based on Matnot Kehuna , Nezer HaKodesh , Etz Yosef . “[There was no king] in Edom; an official was king” (I Kings 22:48) 4 Officials from Judah were installed as governors of Edom (see II Samuel 8:14). – “These are the kings [who reigned in the land of Edom before the reign of a king for the children of Israel].” Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina [said]: When this one crowns kings, this one appoints judges. 5 When Edom had kings, Israel had judges but no ”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on 2 Kings 10:4: Two kings. Yorom and Achazyohu.”
2 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Kings 15 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 15 This chapter begins with the reign of Azariah king of Judah, Kg2 15:1, and then gives a short account of the several kings of Israel, to the last of them; of Zachariah, Kg2 15:8, of Shallum, Kg2 15:13 of Menahem, Kg2 15:16 of Pekahiah, Kg2 15:23, of Pekah, succeeded by Hoshea, the last of them, Kg2 15:27, and is included with the reign of Jotham king of Judah, Kg2 15:32.”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on 2 Kings 8:20: And appointed a king over themselves. From the time of Dovid they did not have a king, as it is stated, “There was no king in Edom,.” 18 I Melochim 22:48. [and] “And he appointed governors in Edom.” 19 II Shmuel 8:14. Eight kings reigned in Edom before a king reigned in Yisroel, they are listed in the Book of Bereishis. 20 See Bereishis 36:31-43, and Rashi there. The eight kings are listed in Bereishis Rabboh 83:2. However, Bereishis Rabboh lists Shaul as one of the eight and omits Yehorom because during Yehorom’s reign, Edom was ruled by a king.”
1 Kings (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Kings 12 (introduction): II. History of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah to the Destruction of the Former - 1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17 After the death of Solomon the Israelitish kingdom of God was rent asunder, through the renunciation of the Davidic sovereignty by the ten tribes, into the two kingdoms of Israel (the ten tribes) and Judah; and through this division not only was the external political power of the Israelitish state weakened, but the internal spiritual power of the covenant nation was deeply shaken. And whilst the division itself gave rise to two small and weak ”

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