Southern Kingdom

<<Judah>>

After the death of Solomon in 930 BC, the nation of Israel divided into two separate groupings (1 Kgs 12:1-20). Ten tribes formed the Northern Kingdom (Israel), while the tribes of Judah and Benjamin formed the Southern Kingdom (also called Judah), establishing Jerusalem as their capital. A succession of 20 kings (including one queen) ruled until the Kingdom ended in 586 BC when the majority of its people were taken as captives to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 25:1-12). Many of Judah’s kings were God-honouring for at least part of their reign yet God ultimately allowed them to be taken captive because as a nation they were unfaithful to Him. In comparison, none of Israel’s 20 kings, consistently followed God, and their people were taken captive by Assyria in 722 BC. The warning is sin always ensnares.

See also: Assyria, Northern Kingdom.