Tirzah, in the first instance, became the capital city and seat of government, but during the reign of Omri, Samaria, which was distant from Jerusalem about forty-two miles, became the royal city. The kingdom, consisting of the revolted ten tribes, existed for nearly 260 years under nineteen kings, till completely overthrown by the Assyrians under Shalmaneser, 721 B. C.
1. JEROBOAM [whose] (people is numerous), reigned twenty-two years.- The kingdom established on idolatry, and a vile priesthood instituted. Jeroboam was a noted idolater, and gave character to the after history of the kingdom (1 Kings 14).
2. NADAB (liberal or noble), reigned two years.-This wicked king followed in his father's evil courses, and was conspired against and slain by Baasha 1 Kings 15).
3. BAASHA (wickedness), reigned twenty-four years.- True to the meaning of his name, a most wicked king; the destroyer of the house of Jeroboam, and his own house threatened with a like total and utter destruction (1 Kings 16.).
4. ELAH (to be strong), reigned two years.- Another bad king and a drunkard, conspired against and slain by his captain, Zimri (1 Kings 16.).
5. ZIMRI (my song), reigned seven days.- A kingdom founded on treason and murder, cannot possibly stand. This wicked king employed the one week of his brief reign in utterly destroying the wicked house of Baasha, and then in despair, burned the king's house and himself along with it (1 Kings 16.).
6. OMRI (servant of Jehovah), reigned twelve years.- This popular captain of the host was unanimously chosen king by the army. He excelled his predecessors in wickedness. After reigning six years in Tirzah, he bought Samaria and made it his capital, which was ever afterward continued as such (1 Kings 16).
7. AHAB (father' s brother), reigned twenty-two years.- This apostate monarch bore a cordial dislike to the faithful Elijah. He married Jezebel, a noted idolatress, and patron of Baal worship. This king exceeded in wickedness and idolatry all the kings before him; his house was to be totally destroyed (1 Kings 22).
8. AHAZIAH [whom] (Jehovah sustained), reigned two years.-A most wicked king. He "walked in the way of his father (Ahab), and in the way of his mother (the wicked Jezebel), and in the way of Jeroboam" (the noted idolater) (2 Kings 1).
9. JEHORAM or JORAM (the Lord is exalted), reigned twelve years.- This was another bad king who walked in the idolatrous courses of Jeroboam, and followed his mother—Jezebel's wicked ways. Baal worship, to which his father, Ahab, was so warmly addicted, was to some extent, at least, put down, although other forms of idolatry were practiced (2 Kings 9).
10. JEHU (He [is] Jehovah), reigned twenty-eight years.- The stern destroyer of the house of Ahab, and zealous uprooter of Baal worship; he afterward, himself turned to idolatry, and worshipped the calves set up by Jeroboam (2 Kings 10).
11. JEHOAHAZ [whom] (the Lord holdeth), reigned seventeen years.- Another wicked king, but in an extremity he "besought the Lord." During this reign the royal power was greatly curtailed by the incursions of the Syrians (2 Kings 13).
12. JEHOASH or JOASH (the Lord is gathering together), reigned sixteen years.- A brave king, but one of the many who trod in the steps of wicked Jeroboam, the founder of the kingdom. This monarch's touching appeal to the dying Elisha, is really beautiful, and displays the feelings of a heart not wholly turned aside from God (2 Kings 13).
13. JEROBOAM II [whose] (people is numerous), reigned forty-one years.- This king followed in the steps of his namesake—the first king of Israel, but the Lord pitying the infliction of His people, used Jeroboam greatly in restoring the northern coasts of the kingdom according to the prophecy of Jonah. A brave and warlike monarch (2 Kings 14).
14. ZACHARIAH [whom] (the Lord remembered), reigned six months.-This king sinned liked his fathers. He was conspired against by Shallum, and publicly slain in presence of the people, and in his death, the house of Jehu became extinct (2 Kings 15).
15. SHALLUM (retribution), reigned one month.- Ascended the throne by conspiracy and murder, and himself slain in turn (2 Kings 15).
16. MENAHEM (comforter), reigned ten years.- Another bad king, and, withal, exceedingly cruel (2 Kings 15).
17. PEKAHIAH (the Lord has opened his eyes), reigned two years.- A wicked king, conspired against by his captain and slain (2 Kings 15).
18.. PEKAH (open-eyed), reigned twenty years.- Another wicked king, who, like his father, was conspired against and slain (2 Kings 15).
19. HOSHEA (help, deliverance), reigned nine years.- A wicked king, but sinned not like his fathers; a wily diplomatist (2 Kings 17).
NOTES.
Not one of these kings were really good men; of only one (Jehoahaz), is it said he "besought the Lord," and that under deep pressure, and at a time of real distress.
Idolatry from first to last characterized the reigns of these kings, and it would be well to note carefully that oft recurring expression "walked in the ways of Jeroboam," as Israel's first king really gave character to the kingdom during its entire history.
The longest reign was that of Jeroboam II, and the shortest reign Zimri's—the former reigned forty-one years, and the latter seven days.
Observe that there are two kings of the name of "Jeroboam."
The fifth king of Judah and the ninth king of Israel were both named "Jehoram;" and the sixth king of Judah and the eighth king of Israel were named "Ahaziah;" the seventeenth king of Judah and the eleventh king of Israel were called "Jehoahaz;" while the eighth king of Judah and the twelfth king of Israel were both called "Jehoash."
The books of Kings specially detail the history of these kings.
There were eight dynasties in the history of this kingdom, the founders of which were Jeroboam, Baasha, Omri, Jehu, Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, Hoshea.