Kings and Prophets of Israel and Judah
The books of Kings and Chronicles tell the history; the prophets preached during it. Reading them side by side shows which prophet spoke to which king and why the message mattered.
How the history unfolds
Saul, David and Solomon reigned over a united kingdom. After Solomon, the kingdom divided in 1 Kings 12: Jeroboam ruled the ten northern tribes of Israel and Rehoboam ruled Judah. Israel was carried into Assyria in 2 Kings 17:6, and Judah was carried away to Babylon in 2 Kings 25:21.
Prophets and the kings they served under
Many prophetic books open by naming the kings who reigned when the prophet preached. Start with these verses:
- Isaiah 1:1 names Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
- Hosea 1:1 names the same kings of Judah and Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
- Amos 1:1 names Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam the son of Joash of Israel.
- Micah 1:1 names Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.
- Zephaniah 1:1 names Josiah, and Jeremiah 1:2-3 runs from Josiah to Zedekiah.
- 2 Kings 14:25 records Jonah’s prophecy in the reign of Jeroboam II.
- 1 Kings 17:1 introduces Elijah before Ahab, and 2 Samuel 12:1 shows Nathan sent to David.
A quick study outline
This outline follows the arrangement of the Bogard Press Chart of Kings and Prophets. The chart lists every king, his years of reign and the matching Scripture.
| Period | Read | Kings | Prophets |
|---|---|---|---|
| United kingdom | 1 Samuel to 1 Kings 11; 1 Chronicles 10 to 2 Chronicles 9 | Saul, David and Solomon | Samuel and Nathan |
| Division | 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10 | Rehoboam in Judah; Jeroboam in Israel | Ahijah and Shemaiah |
| Israel under Ahab | 1 Kings 16 to 22 | Ahab and Jehoshaphat | Elijah, Micaiah and Elisha |
| Jeroboam II and Uzziah | 2 Kings 14 and 15; 2 Chronicles 26 | Jeroboam II in Israel; Uzziah in Judah | Jonah, Amos and Hosea |
| Fall of Israel | 2 Kings 17 | Hoshea in Israel; Ahaz and Hezekiah in Judah | Isaiah and Micah |
| Judah to the captivity | 2 Kings 21 to 25; 2 Chronicles 33 to 36 | Manasseh, Josiah and Zedekiah | Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk and Ezekiel |
| After the return | Ezra 5 and 6; Nehemiah | Judah rebuilds under Persian rule | Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi |
Dates and reign lengths vary among chronologies. See the printed chart for the full list.
Teaching tools
- Classroom chart
Chart of Kings and Prophets
Shows when the kings and prophets lived and how their lives connect, for Sunday School or Bible study.
- Commentary
Treasures from 1 Kings
Dr. Rod Mattoon’s study of 1 Kings.
- Commentary
Treasures from 2 Kings, Volume One
Dr. Rod Mattoon continues the history in 2 Kings.
Also see the church covenant. Studying the Bible book by book with your class? The adult and teen Through-the-Bible curriculum covers all of Scripture on a ten-year schedule.
Planning a study of the kings?
Call 903-793-5111 or send us a note, and we will help you find charts and books for your class.