Abijam to Zedekiah
Old Testament Division—Fourth Period (Continued)
LEADING PERSONS
Abijam.—Son of Rehoboam. Reigned three years (1 Kings 15:1-8).
Asa.—Son of Abijam. Reigned forty-one years (1 Kings 15:9-24). Made some effort as a reformer.
Jehoshaphat.—Son of Asa. Brought Judah great success (2 Chron. 17:1 to 20:37).
Jehoram.—Did evil like unto Ahab (2 Chron. 21:6). Ahaziah followed (2 Chron. 22:4) and was succeeded by Queen Athaliah, worse than her predecessors (2 Chron. 22:10 to 23:15).
Joash was a very good ruler; he began his reign at seven years of age. Repaired the Temple (2 Chron. 24:1-27).
Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham.—Not remarkable in any way (2 Chron. 25:1 to 27:9).
Ahaz.—An evil king; caused his children to pass through the fire to idols (2 Chron. 28:3).
Hezekiah was the best king so far (2 Chron. 29:1 to 32:33). Isaiah was influential and the Passover was restored.
Manasseh was the worst king in many ways, putting an idol in the Holy of Holies (2 Chron. 33:1-20; 2 Kings 21:1-18).
Josiah was a good ruler, beginning at eight years of age. The Temple was repaired, the Law was read, and reform was established (2 Kings 22:1 to 23:30).
Zedekiah.—After Josiah's reign matters grew worse until under Zedekiah captivity came (2 Kings 25:1-21).
Outside Nations that played their part in this catastrophe were Assyria, Babylon, Syria, Egypt.
TIME.—966 B. C. to 588 B. C.
PLACES.—Judah, Jerusalem, Babylonia.
SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.—The influence of leadership is shown in a marked degree in the history of Judah; "like king, like people." It was many times demonstrated that one good man could turn the whole nation God-ward. At last, as in the case of Israel, Judah is given into captivity.