Kings of the Bible

Israel's first king — tall, brave at first, but he stopped trusting God and lost the throne.

The shepherd boy who killed Goliath and became Israel's greatest king — "a man after God's own heart."

The wisest king who ever lived and builder of the temple, but his many foreign wives pulled his heart toward idols.

Israel's first king after the split — he built golden calves at Bethel and Dan so people wouldn't worship in Jerusalem.

Jeroboam's son, who ruled only two years before being assassinated by Baasha.

Killed Nadab and every member of Jeroboam's family to take the throne.

Assassinated by his own chariot commander, Zimri, while drunk in his palace.

Ruled for just seven days before burning the palace down around himself rather than surrender.

A powerful king who built the city of Samaria as Israel's new capital and was the father of Ahab.

Married the idol-worshiping Jezebel and was confronted again and again by the prophet Elijah.

Ahab's son, who fell through a lattice in his upper room and never recovered.

Another son of Ahab, killed by Jehu while trying to flee in his chariot.

Anointed to wipe out Ahab's family and Baal worship, exactly as God commanded — but he never tore down Jeroboam's golden calves.

Jehu's son, whose kingdom was crushed so badly by Aram that he finally cried out to God for help.

Visited the dying prophet Elisha for battle advice, and defeated King Amaziah of Judah.

Ruled during Israel's most prosperous years, while the prophets Amos and Hosea warned it wouldn't last.

Assassinated in public after only six months, ending Jehu's family line just as God had said it would.

Killed Zechariah to become king, then was killed himself after just one month.

A harsh, violent king who paid a huge bribe to the king of Assyria to keep his throne.

Menahem's son, assassinated in the palace by his own army officer, Pekah.

Teamed up with Aram against Judah, which led Judah's king to call in Assyria for help — a decision that changed everything.

Israel's last king. Assyria conquered the kingdom during his reign and carried its people away for good.

Solomon's son, whose harsh answer to the people's request split the kingdom in two.

Fought a fierce war against Jeroboam of Israel and won a surprising victory by trusting God.

Tore down idols across Judah and led the people back to worshiping God for most of his long reign.

Sent teachers across Judah to teach God's Law, and watched God defeat his enemies without Judah lifting a sword.

Killed his own brothers to secure the throne after marrying Ahab's daughter Athaliah.

Ruled only one year before being killed by Jehu while visiting Israel's king.

Judah's only queen — she tried to wipe out the entire royal family, but baby Joash was secretly rescued and hidden.

Crowned as a small child and raised by the priest Jehoiada — he repaired the temple, but drifted from God after Jehoiada died.

Defeated Edom in battle but then brought their idols home and started worshiping them.

A strong, successful king for most of his reign, until pride led him to burn incense in the temple and he was struck with leprosy.

Built up Judah's cities and defenses, and "walked steadfastly before the LORD."

Refused to trust God even when the prophet Isaiah offered him a sign — the sign of Immanuel.

One of Judah's best kings — he tore down idols, and when Assyria's army surrounded Jerusalem, God answered his prayer and rescued the city.

Judah's most wicked king for most of his reign — but after being captured and humbled, he repented and turned back to God.

Manasseh's son, who copied his father's early wickedness but never copied his later repentance.

Became king at just eight years old, and after the Book of the Law was rediscovered in the temple, led the greatest reform in Judah's history.

Ruled only three months before Egypt's Pharaoh removed him and carried him away in chains.

Cut up the prophet Jeremiah's scroll and burned it piece by piece in the fire.

Surrendered Jerusalem to Babylon after only three months as king and was taken into exile.

Judah's last king — he rebelled against Babylon, and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed during his reign.

The mysterious king of Salem and "priest of God Most High" who blessed Abraham after his victory in battle.

The unnamed king of Egypt who enslaved Israel and refused to let them go, even after ten plagues.

A giant king with an enormous iron bed, defeated by Israel on their way into the Promised Land.

Hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel — but God turned every curse into a blessing instead.

The powerful king of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem, then later learned the hard way that God rules every kingdom.

Saw a mysterious hand write a warning on the palace wall during his feast, and lost his kingdom that same night.

Signed a law that landed Daniel in the lions' den, then rushed to the pit at dawn hoping God had saved him.

King of Persia who let God's people return home from exile and rebuild the temple — fulfilling a prophecy written long before he was born.

King of Persia who chose Esther as his queen — and whose kingdom Esther bravely saved from destruction.

King of Judea when Jesus was born — so afraid of losing his throne to the newborn "King of the Jews" that he tried to have Him killed.

Had John the Baptist beheaded, and later questioned Jesus himself before Jesus' crucifixion.

Had the apostle James put to death and Peter arrested, then was struck down after accepting worship as if he were a god.