CHAPTER NINE

The Northern Kingdom

SCRIPTURE COVERED: I Kings 12—22; II Kings I—17

TIME COVERED: ca. 931-722 B.C.

Rebellion after the death of Solomon resulted in the division of the Davidic empire. To the north, ten tribes rebelled against the Davidic dynasty ruling in Jerusalem and established the Northern Kingdom under the leadership of Jeroboam. Beyond the Northern Kingdom to the northeast, the Syrians or Arameans declared their independence under the leadership of Rezon with Damascus as their capital. Rehoboam the son of Solomon retained only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin for his kingdom, continuing to use Jerusalem as his capital.

The biblical account of the Northern Kingdom is given in I Kings 12 to II Kings 17. Interwoven with it are the contemporary events in the Southern Kingdom. Although the name Israel was originally given to Jacob and subsequently used to designate his descendants, it was normally used during the divided kingdom era to refer to the Northern Kingdom.

The Northern Kingdom lasted approximately two centuries (931-722 B.C.). Changes in ruling families or dynasties occurred quite frequently. For our study purposes the developments in the Northern Kingdom may be conveniently divided as given below. Of special interest also are the prophets who ministered during these centuries confronting the kings and the people with God's message.

I. Dynasty of Jeroboam, 931-909 B.C.	I Kings 12—15
II. Dynasty of Baasha, 909-885 B.C.	I Kings 15—16
III. Dynasty of Omi-i, 885-841 B.C.	I Kings 16—22; II Kings 1—9
IV. Dynasty of Jehu, 841-752 B.C.	II Kings 10—15
V. Last Kings of Israel, 752-722 B.C.	II Kings 15—17

THE ROYAL FAMILY OF JEROBOAM

Jeroboam distinguished himself as an efficient administrator under Solomon who placed him in charge of constructing the wall of Jerusalem, known as Millo. A prophet named Ahijah dramatically conveyed to Jeroboam the future developments by giving him ten pieces of his mantle.

The name "Ephraim" which originally referred to Joseph's son and later to one of the tribes is also used to designate the Northern Kingdom (cf. Isa. 7; Hosea) signifying that Jeroboam would rule over ten tribes (I Kings II). Arousing the suspicion of Solomon, Jeroboam temporarily took refuge in Egypt but returned to Shechem when the elders of Israel rebelled against Rehoboam. Here he was recognized as the first king of the Northern Kingdom, reigning for twenty-two years. Although civil warfare and bloodshed were averted at this time of secession, periodic wars between Jeroboam and Rehoboam erupted which are merely noted in the biblical record (II Chron. 12:15).

A. Religious trends

In religious matters Jeroboam took the initiative in leading his people astray. Fearing that his people might be diverted in their political loyalty by going to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam instituted idolatry by erecting golden calves at Bethel and Dan. Ignoring Mosaic restrictions, he appointed priests and allowed the Israelites to offer sacrifices at high places throughout the land. Jeroboam even officiated at the altar and changed feast days (cf. I Kings 12:25-33).

B. Warned by two prophets

The experience of an unnamed prophet from Judah is dramatically portrayed in I Kings 13. Jeroboam is realistically confronted with a warning that tempered his aggressiveness in promoting idolatry. The sequel to the faithful ministry of this unnamed prophet deserves careful study. Perhaps the tomb of this prophet, who was killed by a lion and brought back to Bethel for burial, serves as a reminder to succeeding generations that obedience to God is essential even for a messenger of God.

Another prophet who warned Jeroboam was Ahijah. When Jeroboam's wife inquired of Ahijah regarding the prospect of the recovery of their son Abijah, the king of Israel was not only informed that his son would die but that the dynasty of Jeroboam would be exterminated. This was divine judgment for failure to obey the commandments of God.

When Jeroboam died, his son Nadab ruled only two years. He was assassinated by Baasha.

THE DYNASTY OF BAASHA

Little is known about Baasha, of the tribe of Issachar, who became the next king of Israel. Apparently he made Tirzah the capital. When many of his people seemed to desert to Judah, Baasha began to fortify the city of Ramah where the two main roads from the north converge, leading to Jerusalem only five miles south. Fearing these developments, King Asa of Jerusalem bribed Ben-hadad of Damascus to attack Israel. When Benhadad took control of such cities as Kedesh, Hazor, Merom, and Zephath, and acquired the rich fertile acreage west of Lake Galilee, the Syrians accrued the lucrative returns from the caravan trade to the Phoenician coast. As a result, Baasha abandoned his fortification of Ramah, averting war with Judah.

A. The prophet Jehu

Jehu, the son of Hanani, was active in proclaiming God's message during the reign of Baasha. He reminded the king that he should serve God who had entrusted him with the kingship, but unfortunately Baasha continued in the sinful idolatrous ways of Jeroboam.

B. Elah the king

Elah, the son of Baasha, ruled less than two years. While in a state of drunkenness, Elah was assassinated by Zimri. The prophetic words of Jehu were fulfilled as Zimri exterminated the friends and relatives of this ruling family. Zimri, however, ruled only seven days.

THE ROYAL FAMILY OF OMRI

Omri established the most notorious dynasty in the Northern Kingdom. Best known in this family was his son Ahab who was succeeded by his two sons, Ahaziah and Joram. During this period Israel not only regained much territory lost in Syria, but also gained international renown.

A. Omri the king

When Zimri slew Elah, the Israelite troops—encamped against Gib-bethon—were under Ornri's command. When Omri marched his troops against Tirzah, Zimri secluded himself in the palace while it was reduced to ashes. When Tibni who apparently was a strong leader died six years later, Omri was sole ruler of Israel.

Ornri's twelve-year reign is summarized in eight verses in the Bible (I Kings 16:21-28). His reign, however, was very significant. He built the city of Samaria on a site seven miles northwest of Shechem. Strategically located on the road leading to Phoenicia, Galilee, and Esdraelon, Samaria was secured as the impregnable capital of Israel for over a century and a half until the Assyrians in 722 B.C conquered it.

Omri promoted an international policy that established Israel's prestige. Apparently he subjected the Moabites, exacting taxes from them. He made an alliance with Phoenicia that was sealed by the marriage of his son Ahab to Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal the king of the Sidonians. This relationship was commercially advantageous to Israel, but resulted in a degrading religious fusion in the next generation. Very likely Omri regained the economic and territorial losses Baasha had suffered under Syrian aggression. So great and extensive was Ornri's international fame that in subsequent times the Assyrian records referred to Israel as the land of Omri.

B. Ahab and Jezebel

Ahab, the son of Omri, expanded the political and commercial interests of Israel during his twenty-two-year reign. Increasing trade with the Phoenicians represented a serious threat to the lucrative trading interests of Syria. A policy of friendship with Judah, sealed by the marriage of Ahab's daughter Athaliah to Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, strengthened Israel against Syria. From Moab, Ahab exacted a heavy tribute of livestock. With wealth accruing to Israel through these economic policies, Ahab was able to build and fortify many cities including Jericho, and to lavish wealth on himself by building an "ivory house" (I Kings 22:39).

C. Ahab's religion

Baal worship was promoted under Ahab and Jezebel. To this god of Tyre, the king of Israel built a temple in the city of Samaria and, by bringing hundreds of prophets into Israel, Baalism became the religion of Ahab's people. Consequently, Ahab gained the reputation of being the most sinful of all the kings who ruled Israel. Notoriously, Jezebel is portrayed as the degrading influence behind the throne.

D. Elijah the prophet

Elijah stepped forth in this era of rank apostasy as a forthright spokesman for God. After a three-and-a-half year drought, he dramatically challenged Baalism and supervised the execution of Jezebel's prophets on Mount Carmel. Fearing the queen, Elijah retreated to the Sinai Peninsula where he received a threefold commission: to anoint Hazael as king of Syria, to anoint Jehu as king of Israel, and to call Elisha as his successor. On his return to Israel, Elijah called Elisha to be his associate in the prophetic ministry.

A final encounter between Elijah and Ahab took place in Naboth's vineyard (I Kings 21:1-29). Ruthless Jezebel, who had no respect for Israelite law and gave no heed to Naboth's conscientious refusal to sell his inherited possession to the king, engineered the stoning of Naboth. As Ahab took possession of this vineyard, he was severely rebuked by Elijah. For this gross injustice in shedding innocent blood, the Ornride dynasty was doomed. Ahab's repentance tempered this judgment only by postponement until after his death.

E. Warfare with Syria

Toward the end of Ahab's reign there seemed to be frequent warfare with Syria. When faced by a common enemy, however, Israel and Syria joined forces as is indicated by the battle of Karkar. Shortly after this, Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat the king of Judah to join him in a battle against Syria (I Kings 22:1-40). After the prophet Micaiah warned Ahab that he would be killed in this battle, Ahab disguised himself so that the Syrians would not recognize him. However, a stray arrow pierced Ahab, wounding him fatally and fulfilling the words of Elijah (I Kings 21:19).

F. Ahaziah, king of Israel

This son of Ahab ruled only one year. He failed to suppress the rebellion of Moab and unsuccessfully launched naval expeditions with Jehoshaphat at the Gulf of Aqaba. Elijah's last encounter with the Ornride dynasty in the biblical account was the warning to Ahaziah that he would not recover (II Kings 1).

G. Joram, the son of Ahab

The twelve-year reign of Joram terminated the Ornride rule in Israel in 841 B.C. During these years, intermittent warfare was carried on between Israel and Syria. Apparently Syria increased in military strength so that when Joram's reign ended, Syria emerged as the dominating kingdom in Palestine.

ELIJAH AND ELISHA

These two prophets had cooperated in establishing schools for prophets throughout Israel. Apparently Elijah's ascension occurred near the beginning of Joram's reign so that Elisha became the leading prophet in Israel. Numerous events are recorded in which Elisha was closely associated with Joram in his military problems as he sought to regain control of Moab and fight against Syria.

Elisha's ministry was known not only throughout Israel but also in Syria as well as in Judah and Edom. Through the healing of Naaman and the peculiar encounter of the Syrian armies with this prophet, Elisha was recognized as the "man of God" even in the Syrian capital Damascus. Near the end of Joram's reign, Elisha made a visit to Damascus to inform Hazael that he would be the next king of Syria (II Kings 8:7-15). While Joram was recovering at Jezreel from a wound he had received in battle, Elisha sent his servant to anoint Jehu king of Israel. Being commander of the Israelite army, Jehu proclaimed himself king and killed Joram the king of Israel as well as Ahaziah the king of Judah.

THE DYNASTY OF JEHU

This ruling family occupied the throne of the Northern Kingdom for a longer period than any other dynasty, nearly a century (841-753 B.C.). During this time Israel rose from an extremely weakened position to a strong kingdom reaching its peak in international prestige and prosperity under Jeroboam II.

A. Jehu

A bloody revolution brought Jehu to the throne. Not only did Jehu dispose of the royal family including Jezebel, but he also exterminated Baalism, making a clean sweep in religion and politics. By exterminating the Ornride family, Jehu incurred the disfavor of Phoenicia and Judah. Seeking to avert Assyrian aggression, he sent tribute to Shalmaneser III but thereby faced the antagonism of Hazael, king of Syria, who enlarged his kingdom southward by claiming Gilead and Bashan at Israel's expense. Idolatry however prevailed under Jehu.

B. Jehoahaz

When Jehu died in 814 B.C., Hazael took further advantage of Israel during the reign of Jehoahaz. So weak was Israel at this time that Hazael advanced his armies through Israel to capture Gath and threaten Jerusalem (II Kings 12:17). Jehoahaz was so helpless that he was ineffective in resisting invasion by the Edomites, Ammonites, Philistines, and Tyrians. Although Jehoahaz temporarily turned to God for relief from this pressure, he did not depart from idolatry nor destroy the images of the gods in Samaria (II Kings 13:1-9).

C. Jehoash

During the reign of Jehoash (798-782 B.C.), Israel's successes revived. With the death of Hazael (ca. 800 B.C.), the Syrian power declined. Israel built up a strong fighting force, placing Benhadad II of Syria on the defensive, and reclaimed much territory. When Jehoash was challenged by Amaziah of Judah, the Israelite army invaded Judah, broke down part of the wall of Jerusalem, plundered the palace and temple, and even took hostages back to Samaria.

Elisha the prophet was still living when Jehoash began to reign. The silence of the Scriptures warrants the conclusion that neither Jehu nor Jehoahaz had much to do with Elisha, but Jehoash went down to see Elisha on his deathbed. In a dramatic incident the prophet assured victory over Syria to the king of Israel. Although Jehoash was disturbed over the loss of Elisha, he did not serve God nor turn from his idolatrous ways. His reign, however, marked the turning point in the blessings of Israel as Elisha had predicted.

D. King Jeroboam II

Jeroboam, the fourth ruler in Jehu's dynasty, was the outstanding king in the Northern Kingdom, ruling forty-one years including a twelve-year coregency with his father (793-753 B.C.). The vast political and commercial expansion of Israel under his leadership is summarized in the prophecy given by Jonah (II Kings 14:23-29). With Syria being threatened by Assyria, it was possible for Jeroboam to regain Israelite borders to the east and north. The wall of Samaria was widened and the city refortified. Peace and prosperity unequaled since the days of Solomon brought to Israel wealth and luxury reflected in the books of Amos and Hosea. With it came the moral decline and religious indifference which these two prophets boldly challenged.

When Jeroboam died in 753 B.C., he was succeeded by his son, Zechariah, whose reign lasted only six months. Zechariah was murdered by Shallum.

THE LAST KINGS

These three decades mark the decline and fall of the 753-723 B.C. Northern Kingdom as the Assyrian Kingdom extended its control into the land of Palestine. From its highest peak of commercial and political prosperity, Israel fell in this short period to a state of Assyrian vassalage.

A. Menahem and Pekahiah

Menahem ruled Israel for approximately ten years after Shallum's one-month rule ended in his assassination. Facing aggression by Tiglath-pileser III or Pul who ascended the Assyrian throne in 745 B.C., Menahem paid tribute in order to avoid invasion. Pekahiah, his son, maintained the same policy of subservience during his two-year rule.

B. Pekah, 739-731 B.C.

Pekah very likely led a movement of revolt against Assyria and was responsible for the assassination of Pekahiah. In Syria a new king, Rezin, provided aggressive leadership. Facing a common foe, these two kings formed an alliance to resist Assyria. Judah up to this time had provided aggressive leadership in resisting Assyria but in 735 Ahaz was enthroned in Jerusalem by a pro-Assyrian party. Although the Syro-Israelite alliance tried to coerce Judah to support them by invading Judah (II Kings 16:5-9; II Chron. 28:5-15; Isa. 7:1—8:8), the attempt ended in failure. In 732 B.C., Tiglath-pileser conquered Syria by occupying Damascus. Rezin was killed. In Samaria, the Israelites killed Pekah and enthroned Hoshea as a vassal of the king of Assyria.

C. Hoshea the last king

When Shalmaneser V succeeded Tiglath-pileser III on the Assyrian throne, 727 B.C., Hoshea discontinued his tributary payments to Assyria depending on Egypt for help. By 726 the Assyrian king besieged Samaria. After a three-year siege Hoshea was forced to surrender. This ended the Northern Kingdom.

Under the Assyrian policy of scattering conquered people, 28,000 Israelites were taken captive and dispersed into the regions of Persia. In return, colonists from Babylonia were settled in Samaria and Israel was reduced to the status of an Assyrian province.

For over two centuries the Israelites had followed the pattern set by Jeroboam I who led his people into idolatry, breaking the first commandment in the Decalogue. Prophet after prophet warned the kings as well as the people of impending judgment. For their gross idolatry and their failure to heed the admonition to serve God, the Israelites were subjected to captivity (II Kings 17:1-23).