Samarias Downfall, Verse 5 · History
A brief History of the twenty Kings of ISRAEL.
AFter the death of Solomon, the twelve Tribes were divided into two Kingdomes, under Rehoboam and Ieroboam. Rehoboam Solomons son reigned over two Tribes, viz. Iudah and Benjamin, and this was called the Kingdome of Iudah, because the Tribe of Iudah was the principal part of it. (A parte praestantiori fit denominatio.) This Kingdome continued in Rehoboam, and his successours, the posterity of David, three hundred seventy two years, even till the time of the Babylonish Captivity, which was about six hundred years before Christ. In which space nineteen Kings of the same stock succeeded each other.Mr. Woodwards Chronicle of the Kings of Iudah, in two Tracts. All their Acts and wayes are succinctly, but fully published by a very good hand. I shall therefore give you onelyonly their names, and the Texts, with Stars on the good Kings, and Daggers on the Hypocrites, the rest were wicked. Samuel was the last Judge of Israel, and Saul the first King. Note that Saul, David, Solomon reigned before the Kingdome was divided between Iudah and Israel.
1 Saul hee reigned ten years, 1 Sam. 13. 1. &c. and slew himself, 1 Sam. 31. 4.
2 * David reigned forty years, 2 Sam 2. 4. &c.
3 * Solomon reigned forty years, I King. 11. 42.
4 * Rehoboam reigned seventeen years, I King. 14. 21.
5 * Abijah reigned two years 1 King. 15.
6 * Asa reigned one and forty years, 1 King. 15. 9, 10.
7 * Ie…osaphat reigned five and twenty years, 1 King. 22. 42.
8 Iehoram reigned eight years, 2 King. 8. 17.
Q. Ath…li…h, Ahabs daughter, and Iehorams widow, usurped the Kingdome for six years, 2 King. 11. 1, 3.
9 † Ioash reigned forty years, and was slain, 2 King. 11. 4, &c.
10 † Amaziah reigns nine and twenty years, and is slain 2 King. 14. 2.
11 Uzziah, alias Az…riah was slain, 2 King. 15. 1, 2, 13. 2 Chron. 26. 3. hee reigned two and fifty years.
12 * Iotham reigned sixteen years, 2 King. 15. 33. 2 Chron. 27.
13 Ahaz reigned sixteen years, 2 King. 16. 2.
14 * Hezekiah reigned nine and twenty years, 2 King. 18. 2.
15 * Manasseh reigned five and fifty years, 2 King. 21. 1.
16 Amon reigns two years, and is slain, 2 King. 21. 19.
17 * Iosiah reigns two and thirty years, and in slain, 2 Kings 22. 1.
18 Iehoahaz reigned three months, 2 King. 23. 31.
19 Iehojakim reigned eleven years, 2 King. 24. 1.
20 Iehojachin three months, 2 King. 24. 8.
21 Zedekiah reigned eleven years, 2 King. 25. 1.
The other ten Tribes over which Ieroboam reigned, was called The Kingdome of Israel, which continued about two hundred thirty and seven years, till they were carried into captivity by the Assyrian, about the sixth year of Hezekiah, when Hoshea the last King of Israel was carried away captive. So that the Kingdome of Israel ended one hundred thirty and three years before that of Iudah.
In this time there were twenty Kings of Israel, of ten several stocks, whereof one destroyed another. Ieroboams stock was cut off by Baasha, and Baasha's by Zimri, and Tibni's by Omri, and Omri's by Iehu, and Iehu's by Shallum, and Shallum's by Menahem, and Menahem's by Pekah, and Pekah's by Hoshea, and Hoshea with his were captives to Salmaneser King of Assyria. The most of these Kings were cruel Tyrants and Persecutors, which bred sad commotions, and transported the Kingdome from one family to another. Whereas in Iudah, where purity of worship was preserved, and the godly Kings joyned with the Prophets, there were nineteen Kings of the same stock orderly succeeding each other: So good it is walk in Gods waies, and to take in his Ministers with us.