How many kings did Israel have? This is a question that has intrigued historians and biblical scholars for centuries. The answer, however, is not as straightforward as one might expect, as the history of Israel is complex and spans several periods and kingdoms.
The history of Israel can be divided into three main periods: the United Monarchy, the Divided Kingdom, and the Second Temple Period. During the United Monarchy, which lasted from around 922 BCE to 911 BCE, Israel was ruled by a single king. The first king of this period was Saul, followed by David, and finally Solomon. This makes a total of three kings during the United Monarchy.
After Solomon’s death, the kingdom of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: the Kingdom of Israel in the north and the Kingdom of Judah in the south. The Kingdom of Israel had a total of 19 kings, while the Kingdom of Judah had 20 kings. These figures are based on the biblical accounts and historical records, though some scholars argue that there may have been additional kings or that some reigns were shorter than recorded.
The first king of the Kingdom of Israel was Jeroboam, who ruled from 911 BCE to 901 BCE. The last king of this kingdom was Hoshea, who was deposed by the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V in 722 BCE. The Kingdom of Judah, on the other hand, lasted until the Babylonian exile in 586 BCE. The last king of Judah was Zedekiah, who was defeated by the Babylonians and taken into captivity.
In summary, the total number of kings that Israel had is 22, with 3 kings during the United Monarchy, 19 kings in the Kingdom of Israel, and 20 kings in the Kingdom of Judah. The reigns of these kings were marked by periods of prosperity, conflict, and divine judgment, as recorded in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient texts. The question of how many kings Israel had is not only a historical inquiry but also a reflection of the spiritual and political landscape of ancient Israel.
