Bible Timeline Series · T12

Kings & Prophets

Every king of Israel and Judah after the split, and the prophets of their days

“the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways”

2 Kgs 17:13 (KJV)

Israel and Judah side by side¹

932–723 BC

c. 932–914 BCJudah

Rehoboam⁷

there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only (1 Kgs 12:20); he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 14:21); he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord (2 Chr 12:14). Young, Table 2: 932t to 914n/914t.

c. 931–910 BCIsrael

Jeroboam²

they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel (1 Kgs 12:20); the days which Jeroboam reigned were two and twenty years (1 Kgs 14:20); the LORD tells him hast done evil above all that were before thee (1 Kgs 14:9). Young, Table 1: 931n to 910t/909n.

c. 927 BCNeighbours

Shishak attacks Judah¹⁰

in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord (1 Kgs 14:25–26). The relief of Pharaoh Shoshenq I at Karnak lists places he claims to have smitten, many in the northern kingdom; it does not date the campaign.

c. 914–912 BCJudah

Abijam (Abijah)

in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah (1 Kgs 15:1); Three years reigned he in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 15:2); he walked in all the sins of his father (1 Kgs 15:3). Young, Table 2: 914n/914t to 912t/911n.

c. 912–871 BCJudah

Asa

in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah (1 Kgs 15:9); forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 15:10); Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kgs 15:11). Young, Table 2: 912t/911n to 871t/870n.

c. 910–909 BCIsrael

Nadab

began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years (1 Kgs 15:25); he did evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kgs 15:26). Young, Table 1: 910t/909n to 909t/908n.

c. 909–886 BCIsrael

Baasha

In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years (1 Kgs 15:33); he did evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kgs 15:34). Young, Table 1: 909t/908n to 886t/885n.

c. 886–885 BCIsrael

Elah

In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years (1 Kgs 16:8); the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned (1 Kgs 16:13). Young, Table 1: 886t/885n to 885t/884n.

c. 885 BCIsrael

Zimri

In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah (1 Kgs 16:15); doing evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kgs 16:19). Young, Table 1: 885t/884n to 885t/884n.

c. 885–880 BCIsrael

Tibni, rival king³

half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri (1 Kgs 16:21); Tibni died, and Omri reigned (1 Kgs 16:22). The Bible gives no length for his reign. Young, Table 1: rival reign 885t/884n to 880n/880t.

c. 885–874 BCIsrael

Omri

In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah (1 Kgs 16:23); Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all that were before him (1 Kgs 16:25). On Thiele’s and Young’s reading his twelve years are counted from 885, when all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp (1 Kgs 16:16); he ruled all Israel from 880, when Tibni died, and Omri reigned (1 Kgs 16:22). Young, Table 1: rival reign from 885t/884n; sole reign 880n/880t to 874t/873n.

c. 874–853 BCIsrael

Ahab

in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years (1 Kgs 16:29); Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him (1 Kgs 16:30). Young, Table 1: 874t/873n to 853n/853t.

c. 874–852 BCProphets

Elijah⁵

Elijah the Tishbite said unto Ahab that there would be no dew nor rain (1 Kgs 17:1); he told Ahaziah of Israel thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die (2 Kgs 1:16); and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kgs 2:11). The bar runs from the first year of Ahab to the last of Ahaziah of Israel.

c. 874–782 BCProphets

Elisha

Elijah found Elisha the son of Shaphat in the days of Ahab (1 Kgs 19:19), and when Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died, Joash king of Israel came down to him (2 Kgs 13:14). The bar runs from the first year of Ahab to the last of Jehoash (Joash) of Israel.

c. 873–871 BCJudah

Jehoshaphat, co-ruler

he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 22:42). His twenty-five years are counted from 873, two years before Asa died; he ruled alone from 871. Young, Table 2: co-reign from 873t.

c. 871–848 BCJudah

Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel (1 Kgs 22:41); he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 22:42); doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kgs 22:43). He ruled alone from 871; his twenty-five years are counted from the co-reign (see the co-reign entry). Young, Table 2: co-reign 873t; sole reign 871t/870n to 848n/848t.

c. 854–848 BCJudah

Jehoram, co-ruler

Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign (2 Kgs 8:16). Young dates this co-reign from 854. Young, Table 2: co-reign from 854t.

c. 853–852 BCIsrael

Ahaziah

began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel (1 Kgs 22:51); he did evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kgs 22:52). Young, Table 1: 853n/853t to 852n/852t.

853 BCNeighbours

Ahab fights at Qarqar¹¹

Shalmaneser III of Assyria records that twelve allied kings fought him at Qarqar, among them Ahab the Israelite with 2,000 chariots and 10,000 troops; he claims the victory. In Young’s table Ahab’s reign ends in 853. The Bible does not mention the battle.

c. 852–841 BCIsrael

Joram (Jehoram)

began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years (2 Kgs 3:1); he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord; but not like his father, and like his mother (2 Kgs 3:2). Young, Table 1: 852n/852t to 841n/841t.

c. 848–841 BCJudah

Jehoram (Joram)

in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign (2 Kgs 8:16); he reigned eight years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 8:17); he did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 8:18). Young, Table 2: co-reign 854t; sole reign 848n/848t to 841n/841t.

c. 841–814 BCIsrael

Jehu

the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years (2 Kgs 10:36); thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes (2 Kgs 10:30); Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart (2 Kgs 10:31). Young, Table 1: 841n/841t to 814t/813n.

c. 841 BCJudah

Ahaziah⁸

In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign (2 Kgs 8:25); he reigned one year in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 8:26); did evil in the sight of the Lord, as did the house of Ahab (2 Kgs 8:27). Young, Table 2: 841n/841t to 841n/841t.

c. 841–835 BCJudah

Athaliah

she arose and destroyed all the seed royal (2 Kgs 11:1); hid in the house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land (2 Kgs 11:3). The Bible gives no verdict formula for her reign. Young, Table 2: 841n/841t to 835n/835t.

841 BCNeighbours

Jehu’s tribute to Assyria¹¹

Shalmaneser III records that in his eighteenth year he received the payment of Jehu of Bit-Humri ("son of Omri"); a caption over a relief on the Black Obelisk records the same payment. In Young’s table Jehu’s reign begins in 841. The Bible does not mention the payment.

c. 835–796 BCJudah

Joash (Jehoash)

In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 12:1); Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him (2 Kgs 12:2). Young, Table 2: 835n/835t to 796n/796t.

c. 814–798 BCIsrael

Jehoahaz

In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years (2 Kgs 13:1); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 13:2). Young, Table 1: 814t/813n to 798n/798t.

c. 798–782 BCIsrael

Jehoash (Joash)

In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years (2 Kgs 13:10); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 13:11). Young, Table 1: 798n/798t to 782t/781n.

c. 796–767 BCJudah

Amaziah

In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah (2 Kgs 14:1); reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 14:2); he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father (2 Kgs 14:3). Young, Table 2: 796n/796t to 767n/767t.

c. 793–782 BCIsrael

Jeroboam II, co-ruler

Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years (2 Kgs 14:23). His forty-one years are counted from this co-reign with his father; he ruled alone from 782. Young, Table 1: co-reign from 793n.

c. 791–767 BCJudah

Uzziah, co-ruler

he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 15:2). His fifty-two years are counted from this co-reign; he ruled alone from 767. Young, Table 2: co-reign from 791t.

c. 782–753 BCIsrael

Jeroboam II

Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years (2 Kgs 14:23); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 14:24). He ruled alone from 782; his forty-one years are counted from the co-reign (see the co-reign entry). Young, Table 1: co-reign 793n; sole reign 782t/781n to 753, Elul (Sep).

c. 782–753 BCProphets

Jonah

Jeroboam II restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet (2 Kgs 14:25). The bar covers the years Jeroboam II ruled alone; the book of Jonah names no king.

c. 782–687 BCProphets

Hosea

The word of the LORD came to Hosea in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel (Hos 1:1). The bar runs from the first year of Jeroboam II ruling alone to the last of Hezekiah.

c. 767–740 BCJudah

Uzziah (Azariah)

In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign (2 Kgs 15:1); he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 15:3); the Lord smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death (2 Kgs 15:5). He ruled alone from 767; his fifty-two years are counted from the co-reign (hatched bar). Young, Table 2: co-reign 791t; sole reign 767n/767t to 740t.

c. 767–753 BCProphets

Amos

Amos saw his words in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake (Amos 1:1). The bar covers the years in which both kings ruled alone.

c. 767–687 BCProphets

Isaiah

Isaiah saw his vision in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Isa 1:1); In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne (Isa 6:1), and in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah Sennacherib came up against Judah (Isa 36:1). The bar runs from the first year of Uzziah ruling alone to the last of Hezekiah.

c. 753–752 BCIsrael

Zachariah

In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months (2 Kgs 15:8); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 15:9). Young, Table 1: 753, Elul to 752, Adar (Mar).

c. 752 BCIsrael

Shallum

Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria (2 Kgs 15:13). The Bible gives no verdict on him. Young, Table 1: 752, Adar to 752, Nisan (Apr).

c. 752–742 BCIsrael

Menahem

In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria (2 Kgs 15:17); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 15:18). Young, Table 1: 752, Nisan to 742t/741n.

c. 752–740 BCIsrael

Pekah, rival king

Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years (2 Kgs 15:27). His twenty years are counted from 752. The Bible does not state the rivalry; it is inferred from the synchronisms of 2 Kgs 15–16 (Young 2005, p. 229). Young, Table 1: co-reign from 752, Nisan.

c. 750–740 BCJudah

Jotham, co-ruler

Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land (2 Kgs 15:5). Young dates this co-reign from 750. Young, Table 2: co-reign from 750n/750t.

c. 742–740 BCIsrael

Pekahiah

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years (2 Kgs 15:23); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 15:24). Young, Table 1: 742t/741n to 740t/739n.

c. 740–732 BCIsrael

Pekah

In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years (2 Kgs 15:27); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 15:28). He ruled alone from 740, when he killed Pekahiah (2 Kgs 15:25); his twenty years are counted from the rival reign (hatched bar). Young, Table 1: co-reign 752, Nisan; sole reign 740t/739n to 732t/731n.

c. 740–732 BCJudah

Jotham

In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign (2 Kgs 15:32); he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 15:33); he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 15:34). The second year of Pekah dates the start of his co-reign (750); he ruled alone from 740. Young: his sixteen years end in 735, when Ahaz was installed by the pro-Assyrian faction, although some held him the rightful ruler until his death in 732, which gives the twentieth year of 2 Kgs 15:30. Young, Table 2: co-reign 750n/750t; sole reign 740t to (735n/735t) 732t.

c. 740–687 BCProphets

Micah

The word of the LORD came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Mic 1:1); Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah (Jer 26:18). The bar runs from the first year of Jotham ruling alone to the last of Hezekiah.

c. 735–732 BCJudah

Ahaz, co-ruler

In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign (2 Kgs 16:1). Young dates his installation from 735, "by the pro-Assyrian faction in Judah" (p. 246); his sixteen years are counted from 732. Young, Table 2: co-reign from 735n/735t.

c. 732–723 BCIsrael

Hoshea

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years (2 Kgs 17:1); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him (2 Kgs 17:2). He began in 732, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah (2 Kgs 15:30). The twelfth year of Ahaz in 2 Kgs 17:1 does not fit a start in 732; Young reads it as the year in which Hoshea’s reign had ended (Table 3: 723). Young, Table 1: 732t/731n to 723n/723t.

c. 732–716 BCJudah

Ahaz

In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign (2 Kgs 16:1); reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 16:2); did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord his God, like David his father (2 Kgs 16:2). The seventeenth year of Pekah dates his installation as co-ruler (735); his sixteen years are counted from 732, when he ruled alone. Young, Table 2: co-reign 735n/735t; sole reign 732t to 716t/715n.

732 BCNeighbours

Assyria takes Damascus

Ahaz called Tiglath-pileser to his help (2 Kgs 16:7–8), and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin (2 Kgs 16:9). The Assyrian Eponym Chronicle names Damascus as the target in 733 and 732; the editors date the conquest to 732, although the annals’ own report of it is lost.

c. 729–716 BCJudah

Hezekiah, co-ruler⁹

in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign (2 Kgs 18:1); in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken (2 Kgs 18:10). These years of Hezekiah are counted from 729; his twenty-nine years are counted from 716, when he ruled alone. Young, Table 2: co-reign from 729t/728n.

Judah alone: from the fall of Samaria to the fall of Jerusalem

723–586 BC

c. 716–687 BCJudah

Hezekiah

in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign (2 Kgs 18:1); he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 18:2); he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did (2 Kgs 18:3). He ruled alone from 716; his twenty-nine years are counted from then, the years of 2 Kgs 18:1, 9–10 from the co-reign (hatched bar). Young, Table 2: co-reign 729t/728n; sole reign 716t/715n to 687t.

701 BCNeighbours

Sennacherib invades Judah¹²

In the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah Sennacherib king of Assyria did come up against all the fenced cities of Judah (2 Kgs 18:13). His prisms tell of his third campaign: forty-six of Hezekiah’s fortified cities taken, and Hezekiah confined in Jerusalem "like a bird in a cage". Sennacherib’s 4th regnal year is 701.

c. 697–687 BCJudah

Manasseh, co-ruler

reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 21:1). His fifty-five years are counted from this co-reign; he ruled alone from 687. Young, Table 2: co-reign from 697t.

c. 687–643 BCJudah

Manasseh

reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 21:1); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 21:2). He ruled alone from 687; his fifty-five years are counted from the co-reign (hatched bar). Young, Table 2: co-reign 697t; sole reign 687t to 643t.

c. 643–641 BCJudah

Amon

he reigned two years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 21:19); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 21:20). Young, Table 2: 643t to 641t.

c. 641–609 BCJudah

Josiah

he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 22:1); he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 22:2). He was slain at Megiddo in 609, when Pharaoh Necho went up to the Euphrates: king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo (2 Kgs 23:29). The Babylonian Chronicle has an Egyptian army at Harran in 610 and 609 but names neither Necho nor Josiah. Young, Table 2: 641t to 609 Tammuz (Jul).

c. 641–609 BCProphets

Zephaniah

The word of the LORD came to Zephaniah in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah (Zeph 1:1). The bar covers the reign of Josiah.

c. 627–585 BCProphets

Jeremiah

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign (Jer 1:2), and went on unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month (Jer 1:3); after the fall he is still speaking to the Jews in Egypt (Jer 44:1). The end of the bar is approximate: the year of the flight to Egypt is not given.

612 BCNeighbours

Nineveh falls

The Babylonian Chronicle (ABC 3): in Nabopolassar’s 14th year the king of Akkad and the king of the Medes besieged Nineveh for three months, from Simanu to Abu; its king Sin-shar-ishkun died and the city became a ruin heap. Nahum foretold: Nineveh is laid waste (Nah 3:7).

c. 609 BCJudah

Jehoahaz

he reigned three months in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 23:31); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 23:32). Young, Table 2: 609 Tammuz to 609 Tishri (Oct).

c. 609–598 BCJudah

Jehoiakim

he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 23:36); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 23:37). Young, Table 2: 609 Tishri to 598 21 Heshvan (about 7 Dec 598).

605 BCNeighbours

Egypt beaten at Carchemish

The Babylonian Chronicle: in the 21st year of Nabopolassar the crown prince Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptian army at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and overtook and defeated the rest of it in the district of Hamath. Jeremiah dates the battle in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah (Jer 46:2).

c. 598–597 BCJudah

Jehoiachin

he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem (2 Chr 36:9); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 24:9). Young, Table 2: 598 21 Heshvan to 597 2 Adar (Mar 16).

c. 597–586 BCJudah

Zedekiah⁴

he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem (2 Kgs 24:18); he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs 24:19). Young, Table 2: 597 2 Adar to 587 9 Tammuz (Jul) (this chart draws the reign to 586: see the note on Jerusalem).

597 BCNeighbours

Babylon takes Jerusalem

The Babylonian Chronicle: in Nebuchadnezzar’s 7th year the king of Akkad besieged "the city of Judah" and on the second day of Addaru (16 March 597 BC) seized the city and captured the king. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city and carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon (2 Kgs 24:11, 15).

593–571 BCProphets

Ezekiel

Ezekiel’s first dated vision came in the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity (Ezek 1:2), his latest dated word in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month (Ezek 29:17). He counts his years from the captivity of 597 BC.

The exile begins: from the fall of Jerusalem to Jehoiachin’s release

586–561 BC

561 BCNeighbours

Evilmerodach frees Jehoiachin

Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity (2 Kgs 25:27). Counting the 37 years from the capture (Nebuchadnezzar’s 7th year; Young’s Tishri year 598) gives the 27th of Adar, about 2 April 561, in Evilmerodach’s accession year.

Dated lines on the chart

The kingdom divides — 931 BC (1 Kgs 12:16–20)

Samaria falls⁶ — 723 BC (2 Kgs 17:5–6; 18:9–10)

Jerusalem falls⁴ — 586 BC (2 Kgs 25:8–9)

How the dates were worked out

The books of Kings give the length of nearly every king’s reign and, for most of the kings, the year of the king of the other kingdom in which he began to reign. Edwin Thiele (1951) worked out how these numbers fit together, and Rodger Young refined his tables in 2003–05; every reign on this chart is taken from Young’s Tables 1 and 2, except that Zedekiah’s reign is drawn to end in 586 BC, the series’ System A date for the fall of Jerusalem (Young has 587). Young writes 931n for the year that begins in Nisan of 931 BC (Israel’s year) and 931t for the year that begins in Tishri of 931 BC (Judah’s year), and the chart prints the first of the two years, with "c." (page 1 omits it to save room). The kings counted their years in two ways, with or without an accession year, so a number in the Bible is sometimes one more than the years that passed, and sons reigned beside their fathers, and rivals beside kings, so some bars overlap. Young lists six dates of Assyrian and Babylonian history that his tables agree with: Qarqar (853 BC), Jehu’s tribute (841), the capture of Samaria (723 on Thiele’s and Young’s reading; others date it from 722 to 720), Sennacherib’s invasion (701), Carchemish (605) and the first capture of Jerusalem (597). Young’s tables date the first kings of Judah one year earlier than Thiele does (see the notes). One chronology for the whole series: the Bible's own numbers with the main ancient records. "c." = about; a range (e.g. 6–4 BC) = some time in that range.

Notes

1Each year is Young’s Nisan year (Israel, from spring: 931n) or Tishri year (Judah, from autumn: 931t); the chart prints the first year number, so every date is c.

2Where the Bible’s number is one more than the years that passed (Jeroboam: two and twenty years, 931 to 910), the first and last year are counted in full.

3Hatched bars are co-reigns (a son reigning beside his father) and rival reigns (Tibni, Pekah). The Bible shows some of them but dates none: the years are worked out from its numbers.

4Jerusalem fell in summer 586 if Zedekiah’s years are counted from an accession year (Thiele, Horn); Young, who counts them without one, dates it 587.

5A prophet’s bar covers the reigns named for him (the opening verse of his book, or Kings): he spoke within them, not necessarily through all. Joel, Obadiah, Nahum and Habakkuk name no king.

6Samaria fell in 723 BC on this chart (Thiele, Young; 2 Kgs 18:10). No text settles the year: the Babylonian Chronicle says Shalmaneser V ravaged Samaria (no year) and Sargon II claims the capture at the start of his reign (722/721); scholars date it from 723 to 720.

7Young finds that Solomon died and Rehoboam began before Tishri 931 BC, not after it as Thiele assumed, which puts the first kings of Judah one year earlier than Thiele’s dates.

82 Kgs 8:25 gives the 12th year of Joram, 2 Kgs 9:29 the 11th: the same year, counted with the part-year at the start as year 1 or not counted.

9The years of 2 Kgs 18:1, 9–10 (Hoshea’s 3rd year, when Hezekiah began to reign, and Hezekiah’s 4th and 6th years) are counted from 729, when he began to reign beside Ahaz (Young; Thiele did not accept this); his 29 years run from 716.

10Rehoboam’s fifth year is the year from Tishri 927 BC in Young’s table (Thiele’s, one year later, has 926/5). The one Egyptian date that bears on the campaign, Shoshenq’s year 21 (about 925 BC), is for the start of work on the Karnak court whose portal carries the relief; Egypt does not date the campaign.

11An eclipse of the sun recorded in Assyria’s eponym lists, dated by astronomers to 15 June 763 BC, fixes them; counting back gives 853 for Qarqar and 841 for Jehu’s payment.

12701 is Sennacherib’s 4th regnal year (the Eponym Chronicle’s entry is lost). Whether the Bible and the Assyrian texts describe one campaign or two is disputed.

Key

did right in the LORD’s eyes. did evil in the LORD’s eyes. praised and blamed. dashed = reconstructed date (scholars differ). Certainty: A Stated in Scripture · B Worked out from Scripture · C Ancient record or astronomy · D Scholarly reconstruction · E Tradition / uncertain — scholars differ.

Free to copy · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 · Kings & Prophets Timeline v1.0 (2026-10)
Scripture quotations: King James Version (KJV)