Reading the books of 1st and 2nd Kings can be very confusing because you are learning about about 22 kings of Israel (the 10 northern tribes) about a 108-year period AND at the simultaneously about 22 rulers in a different line of sovereigns in Judah (the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin). Then when you throw in the many prophets who ministered during their reigns - well, you need a roster of the players to makes sense of it all.
Israel lasts on 208 years because they abandon God and His commands, and were far less stable in every way. However, under Ahab and Jezebel, the almost succeeded in cutting off the Davidic lineage through which God promised the Messiah and Savior of the world would be born into the world. Judah also had about 22 kings, but at least a few were godly and attempted to lead the people in a God-honoring path. The southern kingdom endured around 340 years before their destruction by Nebuchanezer's army and the beginning of their 70 years of exile in Babylon.
Click the PDF button below to see and download a helpful chart that will help you follow the action during the times of the kingdom divided:
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