|
This page discusses the chronology of the kings of Israel and Judah
in three separate sections.
1) The Combined Kingdom - 130 years
2) The Divided Kingdom - 260 years
3) The Remaining Judean Kingdom - 130 years
These periods span a total of 520 years and provides the chronology
of events from the crowning of King Saul and the fall of Judea due
to the army of Nebuchadnezzar.
It is interesting to note that the 260 year duration of the Divided
Kingdom can also be segregated into two periods 130 years.
Rehoboam to death of Jehoiada (2Chr24:15) - 130 years
Death of Jehoiada to fall of House of Israel - 130 years
So what Scripture is presenting is actually four sequential periods
of 130 years each!
The biblical dating of this website situates the total span of 520
years in the period from 2,890 years to 3,010 years after life is
given to Adam.
However, as Scripture often presents time from the standpoint of time
before the prophesied Great Tribulation the dating system used will
do the same. So we are documenting the period 3,100 to 2,580 years
before the Great Tribulation.
* THE COMBINED KINGDOM *
('BT' = 'Before Tribulation')
|
Saul reigns 3100 BT 1 -
|
|
|
Ishbosheth, son of Saul 40 -
|
David king, 'son of 30yrs' 41 -
(2Sam 5:3-4) |
|
|
Solomon 1st crowned 78 -
(Adonijah incident) |
|
Solomon 2nd time crowned 81 - 4th Solomon, Temple foundation begins,
(1Chr 29:22 'second time') | (1Kin 6:1)
|
|
David dies full of days 91 - Solomon - sole reign
(refer 1Chr 29:28) |
|
94 - 4th Solomon, Temple foundation completed,
| (1Kin 6:37)
|
3000 BT 101 - 11th Solomon, Temple is finished,
| (1Kin 6:38)
| Temple completed after 20yrs,
| (1K9:10, 2C8:1)
|
Solomon dies, reign 40 yrs 130 -
|
* NOTES *
- Saul reigned 40 years, Acts 13:21
- David reigned 40 years over all Israel, 2Sam 5:3-4.
- Solomon reigned 40 years, 1Kings 11:42 & 2Chr 9:30.
- Inclusive counting is utilised in Scripture. What this means
is that time durations count the year a reign begins and also
the year a reign ends. (So years reigned are actually a measure
of the number of years spanned.)
- The first year in which Saul reigned over Israel was the year
after his coronation.
- 1Sam 13:1 Saul was a son of one year when he became king
and in the second year he reigned over Israel.
(This is a revised rendering.) The counting of
these years started with the year in which Saul
was anointed, the year God 'called' Saul.
Then at Mizpah Samuel declared that Saul had been
chosen to be their king. 1Sam 10:17&24.
Some rejected the kingship of Saul. 1Sam 10:27.
The Ammonites are then defeated under Saul's
leadership. 1Sam 11:1-11.
Then at Gilgal Saul was crowned king at the time
of the renewal of the kingdom. 1Sam 11:14-15.
Then there was the wheat harvest (1Sam 12:17),
which occurs at the start of the year, and after
this we encounter the 1Sam 13:1 verse and the
description of Jonathan (Saul's son) attacking
a garrison of the Philistines.
(NB: A number of modern translations, eg NIV &
NASB, have unwisely started to alter the original
inspired text of 1Sam 13:1 by adding a presumed
age and length of reign.)
- David was crowned king over all the tribes of Israel in the year
after Saul died.
- In the year Saul died, David was crowned king over just the
tribe of Judah (2Sam 2:4), while Ishbosheth (Saul's son)
became king over the other tribes (2Sam 2:8-9).
Ishbosheth's reign spanned only 2 years (2Sam 2:10).
In the 2nd year of his reign he was murdered.
After this David was crowned king over all the tribes of
Israel (2Sam 5:3).
- David reigned 6 months over Judah before becoming king over all
Israel.
- David was king in Hebron over Judah seven years and six months,
2Sam 5:5, 2Sam 2:11 & 1Chr 3:4.
- David reigned in Hebron over all Israel seven years,
1Chr 29:26-27, & 1K 2:11.
- At the time David started to reign over all Israel he was
a 'son of' 30 years, 2Sam 5:3-4.
- Solomon was crowned twice! Refer 1C29:22.
- 1st after his brother Adonijah tried to claim the
throne, 1K1:28-48.
- 2nd time, 1C29:21-25, Note 'second time' verse 22.
- Solomon's temple - The first crowning of Solomon mentioned
in 1K1:28-53 was in response to Adonijah
(brother of Solomon) having himself crowned.
- The second crowning of Solomon is when David
passed the throne of God (the throne over
Israel) to Solomon, 1C29:23.
- Solomon began to build the temple foundation
in the month Ziv (the second month) of the
4th year after the first crowning of Solomon
in the 480th year after the Exodus. 1K6:1
- In a subsequent 4th year, in the month Ziv,
the foundation of the temple was 'laid', ie
completed. 1K6:37.
Note, this was also the time Solomon began
to build upon the foundation, 2C3:2.
(2C3:2 is commonly rendered the 2nd day of
the 2nd month (the word 'day' being added),
but it is probable the Hebrew text is actually
stating that it was the 2nd month of the 2nd
4th yr of his reign. Hebrew reads, "And he is
starting to build in the month the second, in
second in year of four to reign of him.".)
- While Solomon was crowned a second time it
appears he may have been still too young to
reign unaided. 1 Chron 29:1 and 1Kings 3:7.
- While we are advised David's health had
declined by the time of the Adonijah incident
(1K1:1-5) David was still able to speak to the
congregation at the later second crowning of
Solomon. (1C29:1,10,20)
- David dies 'in a good old age, full of days'
1Chr 29:28.
Referencing Psalm 90:10 this could be taken
to mean 80 years old.
From this time the sole reign of Solomon began.
His 40 years of reign began to be counted.
- In the 11th year of the reign of Solomon the
temple was completed. 1K6:38. (Therefore,
it had taken a further 7 years to build the
house of God upon the completed foundation.
Contrast 1K6:37 to 1K6:38.)
- In total it had taken Solomon 20 years to build
the house of God, 1K9:10, 2C8:1.
It took 13 years for Solomon to build the king's
house, 1K7:1.
(It appears Solomon started work on both houses
at the same time. After 13 years he had Fully
completed the king's house and laid the
foundation for the house of God. In the
subsequent 7 years Solomon finished building
the house of God.)
- The fact that the house of God had taken 20
years to build, yet was finished in Solomon's
11th year, is actually proof that David died
about 10 years after building of the house
of God had began.
- Conflict between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
- Some incident appears to have occurred between Rehoboam and
Jeroboam. This being what is described in 2Chr 13:6-7.
This occurred when Rehoboam was a 'lad'.
[NB: Scripture seems to be indicating that a man reaches full
maturity at the age of 30 years. The age when the sons
of Levi were permitted to work in the tabernacle of
meeting, Num 4:3.]
At this time worthless men had sided with Jeroboam and
Rehoboam had been too young and inexperienced to withstand
them. [Contrast this to the events which later occurred at
Shechem when Jeroboam and leaders of the 10 tribes of Israel
met with an older Rehoboam (41 yrs old 1K14:21 2C12:13) who
was subsequently was prepared to go to war, 1Kings 12:21.]
It seems that this earlier conflict had been what caused
Solomon to seek the life of Jeroboam. And as a result
Jeroboam fled to Egypt where he stayed until Solomon died.
- The crowning of Rehoboam takes place at Shechem. Shechem is
a place associated with the regular (every 40 yrs) renewal
of the covenant.
* THE DIVIDED KINGDOM *
** JUDAH ** ** ISRAEL **
- Rehoboam, 41 yrs 2970 BT 1 - 1 * Jeroboam * (1st Rehoboam) -
17 | | |
- reign ends 17 - |
| |
- Abijam (18th Jeroboam) 18 - |
3 | | | 22
- Asa (20th Jeroboam) 20 - |
| | |
| 10 years peace - 22 Nadab -
| |
- 29 -
|
15th Covenant 2C15:10 30 -
|
- Asa crowned 33 -
| |
| - 34 Nadab crowned (2nd Asa) -
| | | 2
| 35th yr rule of Asa, War Begins 35 - 35 * Baasha * (3rd Asa) -
| | (killed Nadab) |
| | | 24
41 | | |
| 36th yr rule of Asa 55 - Baasha builds Ramah |
| | |
| - 58 Elah (26th Asa) -
| | | 2
| - 59 Zimri(27th Asa) /Omri-Tirzah - 7 days
| | (killed Elah) |
| | (died by suicide) |
| | |
| - 63 * Omri * (31st Asa?) |
| | | 12
| - 64 Omri-Samaria |
| | |
- | Jehoshaphat 70 - 70 Ahab (38th Asa) - -
| | | |
| | 39 yr rule of Asa, diseased feet 71 - |
| | | |
| - Jehoshaphat s/kg (4th Ahab) 73 - | 22
| | |
| - 86 1st victory over Syria |
| | |
| - 87 2nd victory over Syria |
25 | | |
| - 88 start of 3yrs peace Syria |
| | |
| Jehoram - 89 Ahaziah (17th Jehoshaphat) - |
| (wife, Athaliah, daughter of Ahab | | 2 |
| granddaughter of Omri ) - 90 Jehoram,Joram (18th Jeh.) - |
| | (2nd Jehoram) | |
| - 91 Ahab dies in battle, Syria | -
| | |
| - 92 Jehrm,Jehos,Edom; Elisha |
| | |
- - s/king (5th Jehoram-Israel) 94 - |
| | | 12
8 | Ahaziah(42+59) (11th Jehoram-I) 100 - |
| | |
- Ahaziah s/k (12th Jehoram-I) 101 - 101 *Jehu* (implied 1st Athaliah)-
| Athaliah | (kills Jehoram) |
6 | | |
- reign ends 106 - |
| | 28
- Jehoash,Joash (7th Jehu) 107 - |
| | |
| - 128 reign ends -
| |
| (Jehoiada alive at least to 23rd) - 129 Jehoahaz (23rd Joash) -
| | (1st of Jehu) |
| | |
40 | Jehoiada dies (son of 130 yrs) 130 - |
| (2Chr 24:15) | |
| - 143 Jehoash,Joash (37th Joash) | 17
| | (2nd of Jehu) |
| | |
| - 145 Jehoash s/k -
| | |
- Amaziah (2nd Joash) 146 - | 16
| | |
29 | (lived +15yrs past Jehoash 2K14:17) - 160 Jeroboam (15th Amaziah) -
| | (3rd of Jehu) |
| | |
- Azariah (Uzziah) 174 - |
| | |
| | | 41
| Azariah crowned 27th Jeroboam 186 - |
| | |
| - 200 reign ends -
52 | | | (GAP 11)
| - 211 Zechariah (38th Azariah) -
| | (4th of Jehu) |
| The Earthquake - 38/39th yr | | .5
| - 212 Shallum (39th Uzziah) -
| | Menahem (39th Azariah) | 10
| | | (GAP 2)
| - 223 Pekahiah (50th Azariah) -
| | | 2
| - 224 reign ends -
| |
- reign ends 225 - 225 Pekah COLOR="#CC3333"> (52nd Azariah) -
| |
- Jotham (2nd Pekah) 226 - |
16 | | |
| | | 20
- | Ahaz 240 - |
| | | |
| - Ahaz s/k (17th Pekah) 241 - |
| | |
| - 244 Tiglath Pileser takes land -
| |
16 | - 245 Hoshea (20th Jotham) - -
| | | |
| - 252 Hoshea (12th Ahaz) - |
| | | |
| Hezekiah (3rd Hosea) 254 - | |
| | | 9 | 65
- - Hezekiah s/k 255 - | | full
| | | | yrs
6 | - 258 Siege of Samaria(4th Hezk) | |
| | (Shalmaneser) | | Isa
| | | | 7:8
- (9th Hoshea)H/ISRAEL FALLS2710BT 260 - 260 H/ISRAEL FALLS(6th Hezk.) - |
| |
| |
| |
- +50 H/ISRAEL NOT A PEOPLE 2660 BT -
(Esarhaddon / Osnapper)
|
* NOTES *
- 's/k' = sole king
- Situations encountered - co-reigns
- new king too young
- major changes in dominion.
- There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days,
1Kings14:30 and 2Chr12:15.
- Reign of Abijah - During the short reign of Abijah a great battle
occurs 400,000 of Judah against 800,000 of
Israel 2C13:3. God fights for Judah, and Israel
is subdued 2C13:15-18. Judah gains cities from
Israel 2C13:19.
The reign of Abijah is stated to be 3 years, but
the text of 2C13:20-21 suggests a longer duration
of rulership. (It may have been 3 years until his
dominion was increased by the outcome of the
battle.)
- Reign of Asa - The problem with the chronology of the rulership of
Asa is to fit in the 10 years of peace mentioned in
2C14:1. As 1K15:16,32 state there was war between
Asa and Baasha all their days and that the reign of
Baasha began in the 3rd year of the reign of Asa.
- The solution requires a delay in the sole reign of
Asa (and also Nadab) and this is allowed for by the
use of two different Hebrew words 'reign' (Strong's
4427) and 'rule' (Strong's 4438).
- Hebrew words 4427 and 4438
Strong's 4427 - 'reign', 'ascend the throne'.
The bible appears to utilise 4427 to indicate when
a king is the dominant ruling authority.
Strong's 4438 - 'rule', 'dominion'.
The bible appears to utilise this word in a more
generalised manner.
a) To indicate a lower level of authority, eg a
son crowned while his father is still the
dominant authority.
b) To indicate the start of a family rulership,
so the quoted period refers back to the start
of a fathers(grandfathers etc) rulership,
eg 2C15:19 - refer below.
c) To indicate the start of a king's actual reign,
eg 2C16:12 - refer below.
- The 10 years of peace starting when Asa first
becomes a ruler and continues until the arrival
of the army of Zerah the Ethiopian. 2Chr 14:9-13.
- Judah enters into a covenant with God 2C15:10.
This follows the defeat of the Ethiopian army as
plundered bulls and sheep were offered as sacrifice,
2C14:9-15,15:11.
- 2Chr 15:10 suggests the covenant occurs in the 15th
year of the rule of Asa. However, such a date would
not agree this being a covenant renewal which was
necessary every forty years.
2Chr 15:10 So they gathered together at Jerusalem
in the third month, in the fifteenth
year of the reign of Asa.
This verse could be rendered,
So they gathered together at Jerusalem
in the New Moon, in the third of the
year, fifteen, reign of Asa.
[NB: 1) 'month' can be rendered 'New
Moon'.
2) the third feast of the year
occurs in the 7th month.
3) 'fifteen' could refer to the
15th day in 7th month (would
be the first day of Feast of
Tabernacles) or simply the
15th covenant occasion.]
- With a requirement to make a covenant every 40 years,
starting with Exodus, the 15th covenant would occur
at this time - ie after the passing of 560 years from
the first covenant immediately after leaving Egypt.
- 2Chr15:19 - states that the "35th year of 'rule'
of Asa marked the start of war. As Asa and Baasha
were at war all their years, the 35th year needs
to coincide with the start of the reign of Baasha.
So in this chronology the 35th year is actually the
35th year of the divided kingdom.
- 2C16:1-3 - In the 36th year of the 'rule' of Asa
Baasha came up against Judah and built Ramah.
Following this Baasha is attacked by Syria and loses
Israel's storage cities in Naphtali (2C16:4) and
from the stones and timber of Ramah the defensive
Judean cities of Geba and Mizpah are built. All
this indicates it likely occurred near the end of
the war between Asa and Baasha, at the end of the
reign of Baasha.
- 2C16:12 - In the 39th year of the 'rule' of Asa he
became diseased in his feet. 1K15:23 states this
occurred in Asa's old age. So the word 'rule' in this
verse refers to the start of Asa's actual reign.
- The House of Israel rulership reflects four significant dynasties.
1) Jeroboam and his son Nadab.
2) Baasha and his son Elah.
3) Omri and his son Ahab,
and his son Ahaziah,
then another son of Ahab, Jehoram (Joram).
4) Jehu and his son Jehoahaz,
and his son Jehoash (Joash),
and his son Jeroboam,
and his son Zechariah.
NB: It was about the time of the close of the
reign of Zechariah that 'the earthquake'
mentioned in Amos 1:1 and Zech 14:5
occurred! (Refer the discussion below.)
(There was one other later father/son reign
for the House of Israel - Menahem was
followed by his son Pekahiah. 2K15:23.)
- Jehu promised 4 generations of his sons would sit on the throne.
2 Kings 10:30.
- Jehoiada lives at least to the 23rd of Jehoash, 2K12:6, a son of
130 yrs when he died, (ie he was a son of the Levitical priesthood
under the divided kingdom, he himself did not reach 130 years of
age) 2C24:15.
- Amaziah dies 15 yrs after Joash 2C25:25 & 1K14:17.
- There is an implied jubilee occurrence during the rulership of
Jotham. Refer 2Chron 27:5. (Perhaps when he ruled during the
time his father, Uzziah, was a leper.)
- Earthquake - In the days of Uzziah, Amos 1:1. Also mentioned
in Zech 14:5.
A figurative earthquake may be implied, but the
actual event indicated is unclear.
Notice that Amos and Zech verses identify the king
as 'Uzziah'.
However, 2Kings chapter 15 first uses the name
'Azariah' (in his 38th yr), then 'Uzziah' (in his
39th yr), then 'Azariah' again (in his 39th yr).
Indicating the king was only known by the name
'Uzziah' for a period which spanned the 38th/39th
years of his reign.
This was the timing of the earthquake!
- Numbering - 1Chron 5:17 states the tribe of Gad were numbered
by genealogy in the days of Jotham king of Judah
(and earlier in the days of Jeroboam (son of Joash)
king of Israel.)
Gad was one of the two and half tribes located east
of the Jordan. The indication from 1Chron 5:17 is
that the subsequent numbering did not occur.
- Isaiah 7:8 predicts that within 65 years Ephraim (ie, House of
Israel) would 'not be a people'. This prophecy was made while Ahaz
was king of Judah, Pekah was the king of Israel and Rezin was the
king of Syria (Isa 7:1). The prophecy was likely made at the end
of Pekah's reign, because the subsequent loss of all the land of
Naphtali and the relocation of its people outside the Promised
Land (2K 15:29) was probably the event which resulted in Pekah
being murdered (2K 15:30).
While the prophecy mentioned 65 years, Samaria, the capital of
the House of Israel, fell to Assyria some 15 years thereafter,
long before the expiry of the 65 years.
This indicates that a subsequent Assyrian invasion was responsible
for relocating the remaining people of the House of Israel out of
the Promised Land. As the Judean king Manasseh was also later taken
captive by Assyria (2Chron 33:11) it is likely that the relocating
of the children of Israel took place when Manasseh was taken
captive.
(NB: A symbolic meaning for the 65 years may also be present.
65 generations of 40 years would indicate a period of 2,600
yrs.
While the original 65 years pertained to the House of Israel,
the prophecy was actually stated to the king of Judah, with
the implication that if He did not believe Judah would also
meet a similar fate. In this chronology 2,600 years before the
prophesied future fall of Jerusalem would roughly correspond
with when Nebuchadnezzar started to act against Judah. )
- Assyria - Jareb,- apparently a descriptive title, 'wrangler/
defender', referring to Tiglath-Pileser and/or
later kings
- Ephraim's sickness and Judah's wound Hosea 5:13
Ephraim's sickness - 2K15:19 and 2K17:3
Judah's wound - 2K16:7,8 and 2C28:16-21
- obtains the calf of Beth Aven, Hosea 10:6
- Tiglath-Pileser,- mentioned in time of Menahem 2K15:19
- also called Pul, took tribes East of
Jordan 1C5:26, 1C5:6
- takes captive part of H/Israel in the
time of Pekah, all the land of Naphtali
2K15:29
- mentioned in time of Ahaz 2K16:7,
2C28:20
- Sargon, defeat of Egypt and Ethiopia after 3 yrs Isa 20:1
- Shalmaneser, made Hosea vassal 2K17:3,
in the 4th Hezekiah besieges Samaria 2K18:9
- Sennacherib, 14th Hezekiah 2K18:13
- Esarhaddon, son of Sennacherib 2K19:37, Isa 37:38
brought foreigners to H/Israel Ezra 4:2
- Osnapper, brought foreigners to Samaria Ezra 4:10
* REFERENCES *
NAME TIMING DURATION AGE
Rehoboam 17 1K14:21 2C12:13 41 1K14:21 2C12:13
Jeroboam 22 1K14:20
Abijam 18th Jeroboam 1K15:1 2C13:1 3 1K15:2 2C13:2
Asa 20th Jeroboam 1K15:9 41 1K15:10 2C16:13
Nadab 2nd Asa 1K15:25 2 1K15:25
Baasha 3rd Asa 1K15:33 24 1K15:33
Elah 26th Asa 1K16:8 2 1K16:8
Zimri 27th Asa 1K16:15 7days in Tirzah
1K16:15
Omri 31st Asa 1K16:23 12 In Tirzah 6
1K16:23
Ahab 38th Asa 1K16:29 22 1K16:29
Jehoshaphat 4th Ahab 1K22:41 25 1K22:42 35 1K22:42
Ahaziah - Isr 17th Jehoshaphat 1K22:51 2 1K22:51
Jehoram - Isr 18th Jehoshaphat 2K3:1 12 2K3:1
2nd Jehoram-Jud 2K1:17
Jehoram - Jud 5th Joram-Isr 2K8:16 8 2K8:17 2C21:5 32 2K8:17 2C21:5
2C21:20 2C21:20
Ahaziah - Jud 12th Joram-Isr 2K8:25 1 2K8:26 2C22:2 22 2K8:26
11th Joram-Isr 2K9:29 42 2C22:2
Athaliah 6 2K11:3
Jehu 28 2K10:36
Jehoash - Jud 7th Jehu 2K12:1 40 2K12:1 2C24:1 7 2C24:1
7th ? 2K12:4
Jehoahaz 23rd Joash-Jud 2K13:1 17 2K13:1
Joash - Isr 37th Joash-Jud 2K13:10 16 2K13:10
Amaziah 2nd Joash-Isr 2K14:1 29 2K14:2 2C25:1 25 2K14:2 2C25:1
Jeroboam II 15th Amaziah 2K14:23 41 2K14:23
Azariah 27th Jeroboam II 2K15:1 52 2K15:2 2C26:3 16 2K15:2 2C26:3
Zechariah 38th Azariah 2K15:8 6mths 2K15:8
Shallum 39th Uzziah 2K15:13 1mth 2K15:13
Menahem 39th Azariah 2K15:17 10 2K15:17
Pekahiah 50th Azariah 2K15:23 2 2K15:23
Pekah 52nd Azariah 2K15:27 20 2K15:27
Jotham 2nd Pekah 2K15:32 16 2K15:33 2C27:1 25 2K15:33 2C27:1
2C27:8 2C27:8
Ahaz 17th Pekah 2K16:1 16 2K16:2 2C28:1 20 2K16:2 2C28:1
Hoshea 12th Ahaz 2K17:1 9 2K17:1
20th Jotham 2K15:30
Hezekiah 3rd Hoshea 2K18:1 29 2K18:2 2C29:1 25 2K18:2 2C29:1
|
* REMAINING JUDEAN KINGDOM *
** JUDAH **
- 7th of Hezekiah 1 - H/Israel without a king
| |
| 14th of Hezekiah 8 -
+23 | |
| ** Jubilee ** 2700 BT 10 -
| |
- Manasseh s/k 23 -
| |
| Manasseh captive 50 - 50 H/ISRAEL NOT A PEOPLE 2660 BT
55 | | (Esarhaddon / Osnapper)
| Manasseh released (Jubilee) 60 -
| |
- Amon 77 -
2 | |
- Josiah 78 -
| |
31 | |
| Josiah 13th 90 - 90 1st Jeremiah (13th Josiah) -
| | |
- Jehoahaz 108 - |
.25 | | | 23
- Jehoiakim 109 - |
| | |
| Jehn-1st reign 110 - |
| | |
| - 111 Daniel/Jehn taken |
| | |
11 | - 112 4th Jehkm,23rd Jer(1st Neb) -
| | |
| - 113 Daniel tested (2nd Neb) |
| | |
| | |
- Jehn-2nd reign - 119 8th Neb, Captivity | 19
| |
- Zedekiah 120 - 120 30th Jer, 5th Jehn |
| | |
| - 122 Jehn release |
11 | | |
| - 123 To Babylon 4th yr,Jer51:59 |
| | |
| - 128 Jerusalem besieged |
| | |
- JERUSALEM BREACHED 2580 BT 130 - 130 JERUSALEM DESOLATED -
(19th Neb, 12th captivity)
|
* NOTES *
- A Jubilee falls in the reign of Hezekiah, refer 2K19:29 & Isa
37:30.
Timing - In the 14th year of Hezekiah, Hezekiah gives
tribute to Sennacherib king of Assyria by
taking gold from the doors of the temple of
the LORD, 2K18:13-16.
- Because of this God smote Hezekiah with sickness.
However, Hezekiah repented and God promised to
extend Hezekiah's life another 15 years (length
of reign 29 years = 14 + 15 yrs) and deliver him
from Assyria. 2K20:1-11.
- In the 15th year of Hezekiah, Hezekiah apparently
fails to pay an annual tax to Assyria and
Sennacherib sends his army against Jerusalem,
2K18:17-20.
- At this time God assures Hezekiah of deliverance
through the prophet Isaiah. According to the
words of Isaiah this 15th year is a land Sabbath
year and the following year (the 16th of King
Hezekiah) is also a year of land rest (ie, a
Jubilee year).
- At 2700 BT, this would be the 16th Jubilee year
if the first Jubilee was celebrated 50 years
after the Exodus, ie at 3450 BT. (When the land
of Canaan was considered to be under Israelite
control).
- During the reign of Manasseh, God delivered up Manasseh to captivity
under the hand of a king of Assyria (2 Chr 33:11), presumably at the
same time that the rest of the people of the House of Israel were
relocated. (When Esarhaddon settled foreigners in the territory of
the House of Israel, Ezra 4:2.)
2 Chr 33:13 records the return of Manasseh to Jerusalem and this
is likely to have occurred 10 years later at the time of the next
Jubilee.
- The latter years of the kings of Judah are normally presented,
as they are above, as essentially being composed of 31 years for
Josiah followed by 11 years for Jehoiakim and after that 11 years
for Zedekiah (adjustments being made for inclusive counting).
However, the reader should be aware that the book of Jeremiah in
verses 27:1,3 & 28:1 does indicate that the reigns of Zedekiah
and Jehoiakim overlapped.
It should also be pointed out that this is highlighted in the
differences one finds in the accounts of Kings and Chronicles
for this period.
Kings - Jehoiachin reigns after Jehoiakim dies, 2K24:6
- Jehoiachin reigns age 18 years for 3 months,
2K24:8
- Egypt is not a threat to Babylon, 2K24:7.
Chronicles - Jehoiachin reigns after Jehoiakim is taken
away bound in bronze fetters, 2C36:6
- Jehoiachin reigns age 8 years for 3 months
and 10 days, 2C36:9
- Zedekiah made to swear an oath not to call
upon the assistance of Egypt, 2C36:13 (also
refer Ezek 17:13&15).
[ NB: Such an overlap, if is exists, would normally effect the
overall chronology, but it seems there is reason to believe
it would be compensated for by;
- a delay in Josiah claiming the throne, note his
young age when crowned and the fact that it was
the people (and not him) who judged his father's
murders, 2K21:24.
- The years when Jehoiakim was held prisoner by
Nebuchadnezzar, 2C36:6 & 2K24:1. ]
- The chronology of the Josiah period appears at first to be
straight forward, ie simply a reign of 31 years. However, on
closer inspection it can be seen that the accounts of Kings
and Chronicles do not harmonise.
Kings - 18th year Book of the Law found, 2K22:1,8
- Covenant made 2K23:1-3
- Purges Judah and Israel, 2K23:4-20
- 18th year a great Passover observed, 2K23:22-23.
Chronicles - 8th year of reign begins to seek God, 2C34:3
- 12th year begins to purge Judah and Jerusalem,
2C34:3
- 18th year of reign Book of the Law found, 2C34:8
& 2C34:14
- Covenant made, 2C34:31.
- Removes abominations from the land of the House
of Israel, 2C34:33
- 18th year of dominion a great Passover observed,
2C35:18-19.
- 'Tenth' month.
Jerusalem besieged on the 10th day of the 'tenth' month of the
9th year of ?. 2K25:1, Ezek 24:1
The Hebrew  is normally rendered 'tenth',
However, it can also refer to the notion of 'accumulated'
or 'rich' or 'enriched of'.
This would indicate that it was not the tenth month, but
rather a month which was added when the harvest crop was
not ripe enough to harvest in the usual month. (Or perhaps
due to an enemy siege of Jerusalem preventing the offering
of a new year's wave sheaf, which was a required precursor
to the start of a grain harvest.)
[ NB: The biblical year did not span a full 365 days,
so an additional month was added when necessary.
To ensure harmony with the seasons.
Jewish belief often refers to this as a 13th month,
but it appears that indications in this and the Flood
chronology suggest that this was not counted as a 13th
month of the preceding year, but rather an added 1st
month of the new year. ]
A first month arrival of the Babylonian army, rather than a
tenth month arrival, makes more sense because an intended siege
of a city would be more time effective if timed to begin just
prior to the start of a new year's grain harvest.
Jerusalem penetrated on the 9th day of the fourth month. Jer 39:2.
11th year of Zedekiah. Jer 39:2.
[ NB: 2K25:2 11th = in Hebrew 'year ten one-of until',
Jer 39:2 11th = in Hebrew 'year ten in-one-of'. ]
It is interesting to note that if the siege began on the 10th day
of a 1st month and was ended in that same year on the 9th day of
the 4th month then exactly 3 months would have passed.
This would then equate to the exact time Jehoiachin, being 18
years old, happens to have reigned, ie '3 months'. Refer K24:8.
(Admittedly common translations/interpretations indicate the
siege lasted from the 9th to the 11th year of Zedekiah. Although,
a 3 month duration, given the circumstances, seems more likely.)
When Jehoiachin was younger, when he was 8 years old, he also
reigned, but this time for 3 months and 10 days. 2C36:9-10.
Jehoiachin's reign at this earlier time, rather than coinciding
with the end of Zedekiah's reign, actually preceded the start
of Zedekiah's reign.
- The stated ages of kings Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah when they
started to reign, 23 yrs, 25 yrs and 21 yrs respectively, are not in
harmony with their sequence of birth.
Jehoiakim 2nd born, Zedekiah 3rd born and Jehoahaz (also known as
Shallum - refer Jer 22:11-12) 4th born, as clearly stated in
1Chron 3:15.
As the term 'son of' in Hebrew does not always relate to a persons
age, but to a significant event in their life, it seems Zedekiah's
age (which is too low) could relate to the year when the great
Passover was held in the reign of Josiah.
- The prophesying of Jeremiah began in the 13th of Josiah and the
23rd year of his service was the 4th of Jehoiakim. Jer 25:1-3.
- Nebuchadnezzar surrounds Jerusalem 3rd Jehoiakim, Dan 1:1.
Daniel tested 2nd Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 2:1.
- Daniel was given 3 years of training (Dan 1:5).
- the 3rd year of Jehoiakim was the 1st year of this training.
- the 4th of Jehoiakim equated to the 1st of Nebuchadnezzar
(refer Jer 25:1) and was the 2nd year of training.
- the 2nd of Nebuchadnezzar was the 3rd year of training
and was the year of Nebuchadnezzar's dream.
- Nebuchadnezzar's reign is deemed to have started in the 4th year
of Jehoiakim (refer Jer 25:1).
However, one should note that Nebuchadnezzar is first mentioned
one year earlier in the 3rd year of Jehoiakim, Dan 1:1.
In the 4th year of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar defeated the army of
Pharaoh Necho, Jer 46:2. Note, that the army of Egypt reappears
on the scene during the reign of Zedekiah, 37:1,5.
- Jeremiah 52:28-30; 7th year of (Neb.?) = 3,023 captives
18th year of Neb. = 832 captives
23rd year of Neb. = 745 captives
-----
4,600
Chapter 52 of Jeremiah records the above information and these
dates do not align with those stated in other texts.
- The captivity of Jehoiachin and his mother is recorded to
have taken place on the 8th of Nebuchadnezzar (refer 2K24:12)
- The captivity connected to the fall of Jerusalem took place
on the 19th of Nebuchadnezzar (refer 2K25:8, Jer 52:12).
- The 18th yr of Nebuchadnezzar was the 10th yr of Zedekiah
(refer Jer 32:1) and Jerusalem was not breached until the
11th yr of Zedekiah (2K25:1-2).
Hence the dates indicated 7th and 18th of Nebuchadnezzar are a
year too low. This may suggest they therefore correlate with when
God started to deal personally with Nebuchadnezzar, when the king
had his first dream, ie in the second year of his reign (Dan 2:2).
Or it may reflect the different timings for the start of the reign
of Nebuchadnezzar, ie 3rd(Dan 1:1) and 4th(Jer 25:1) of Jehoiakim.
The 23rd date seems to relate to the subsequent captivity of the
Israelites who fled to Egypt, refer Jer 43:11,24:8. (Since there
is also a full 7 year period when Nebuchadnezzar is humbled,
chapter 4 of Daniel, the actual fall of Egypt may have occurred
in the 30th year, ie 23 + 7 years.)
- Ezekiel 33:21 states that Ezekiel heard news of Jerusalem being
'struck down' on the 5th day of the 10th month of the 12th year
of their captivity.
Jerusalem had been,
a) breached on the 9th day of the 4th month,
(2K25:3,Jer 39:2).
b) burnt on the 10th day of the 5th month,
(Jer 52:12).
Therefore, it had taken 5 months for the news to reach Ezekiel.
But more importantly, the year Jerusalem was 'struck down' was
the 12th year of their captivity. Since Zedekiah only reigned
11 years (2K24:18), this indicates that Zedekiah's reign began
in the year following the captivity of the 8th year of the reign
of Nebuchadnezzar (2K24:12).
The 12th year of captivity also appears to be confirmed by the
different datings of attributed to Nebuchadnezzar,
- Jerusalem falls 19th, but captivity on the 8th: a span
of 12 years when counted inclusively
- Jerusalem falls 18th, but captivity on the 7th: a span
of 12 years when counted inclusively.
- Ezekiel 1:1-2, '30th year' is the 5th of the captivity
of Jehoiachin.
This could refer to the 30th year of Jeremiah and/or of
Josiah (and subsequently ruling family members).
The above chronology compilation does not reflect this.
Therefore some further refinement is likely necessary.
The 5th day of the 4th month of the 5th year date,
is followed by a period of 7 days (Ezek 3:16) when
God again met with Ezekiel. Indicating both days may
have been weekly Sabbath days.
The next date given is the 5th day of the 6th month
of the 6th year - Ezek 8:1. Given a 360 day year
(12 months of 30 days each), this date fell 1 year
and 60 days later (a total of 420 days).
Suggesting it was also a weekly Sabbath day.
- Daniel 12:11-12, 1290 & 1335 days.
These equate to 2580 years and 2670 years
(ie double).
- 2580 years = Abomination to Abomination
= Nebuchadnezzar and the princes in
the 'middle gate' (of the temple),
refer Jer39:3, to the future Great
Tribulation.
- 2670 years = House of Israel 'not a people' to
the end of corrupt faith (ie the
end of the Great Tribulation).
Note: To convert the 2670 years to provide a
period ending with the start of the Great
Tribulation deduct 10 years. House of Israel
'not a people' to start of Tribulation equals
2660 years.
Therefore House of Israel 'not a people' to
Nebuchadnezzar and the princes standing in
the middle gate is 80 years.
- Ezekiel chapter 4, 390 & 40 yrs
- 390 years = Divided kingdom to the fall of
Judah.
- 40 years = Jeremiah to fall of Judah.
* REFERENCES *
NAME TIMING DURATION AGE
Manasseh 55 2K21:1 2C33:1 12 2K21:1 2C33:1
Amon 2 2K21:19 2C33:21 22 2K21:19 2C33:21
Josiah 31 2K22:1 2C34:1 8 2K22:1 2C34:1
Jehoahaz,Shallum 3mths 2K23:31 2C36:2 23 2K23:31 2C36:2
Jehoiakim 11 2K23:36 2C36:5 25 2K23:36 2C36:5
Jehoiachin,Jeconiah,Coniah 3mths 2K24:8 18 2K24:8
3mths 10 days 2C36:9 8 2C36:9
Zedekiah 11 2K24:18 2C36:11 21 2K24:18 2C36:11
Jer 52:1 Jer 52:1
Jeremiah 13th Josiah Jer25:3 23 Jer25:3
to 4th Jehoiakim Jer 25:1
Nebuchadnezzar 4th Jehoiakim Jer 25:1 19 2K25:8,Jer52:12
to Fall of City 2K25:8 5th mth Jer 1:3,2K25:8
|
| |
----------------------------------------------------------
