Kingdom of Israel Timeline

After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam's harsh policies prompted ten northern tribes to rebel under Jeroboam I. The united monarchy split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.

Image source: Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)

King Abijah of Judah defeated Jeroboam I at Zemaraim, capturing several border towns. The battle marked ongoing military rivalry between the two successor kingdoms after their division.

Image source: Abijah of Judah

Jehoash routed Judah's army at Beth-shemesh, breached Jerusalem's walls, and plundered the Temple treasury. The victory demonstrated the north's temporary military superiority over the southern kingdom.

Image source: Jehoash of Israel

Israel and Aram-Damascus besieged Jerusalem to force King Ahaz of Judah into an anti-Assyrian coalition. Ahaz appealed to Assyria for help, deepening vassalage and weakening both kingdoms.

To prevent his subjects from worshiping in Jerusalem, Jeroboam set up golden calf sanctuaries at Bethel and Dan, creating a rival religious system that biblical tradition condemned as a lasting sin of the northern kingdom.

Image source: Jeroboam

King Omri purchased the hill of Shemer and built the city of Samaria as his capital. The city remained the seat of the northern kingdom until its fall and gave the region its enduring name.

Image source: Samaria

Ahab married Jezebel, daughter of the Phoenician king of Tyre, promoting the worship of Baal in Israel. This religious conflict set the stage for dramatic confrontations with the prophet Elijah.

Image source: Jezebel

The prophet Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel, where fire from heaven consumed his sacrifice. The event demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy and sparked a revival among the Israelites.

Image source: Elijah

Ahab of Israel joined a coalition of Levantine states under Hadadezer of Damascus to halt the Assyrian advance of Shalmaneser III at Qarqar. Though the coalition held, Assyrian pressure on the region continued.

Image source: Battle of Qarqar

General Jehu seized the throne, killing King Jehoram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah, and exterminating the house of Ahab along with Baal worshipers. His reign is depicted on the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III.

Image source: Jehu

Under Jeroboam II, Israel reached its greatest territorial extent since Solomon, recovering lands from Damascus and Hamath. The era's prosperity masked social injustice denounced by prophets like Amos and Hosea.

Image source: Jeroboam II

Hoshea seized the throne with Assyrian support after assassinating Pekah. His later rebellion, relying on Egyptian aid, provoked Shalmaneser V to invade and besiege Samaria.

Image source: Hoshea

Menahem of Israel paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III to secure his throne, making Israel an Assyrian vassal. Subsequent rebellions invited devastating Assyrian campaigns that carved up the northern kingdom.

Image source: Tiglath-Pileser III

Tiglath-Pileser III captured and annexed Aram-Damascus, removing Israel's chief ally. Israel lost territories in Transjordan and Galilee, foreshadowing its own destruction a decade later.

Shalmaneser V laid siege to Samaria, the fortified capital of Israel. The siege lasted three years, outlasting Shalmaneser himself and continuing under his successor Sargon II.

Image source: List of sieges

Sargon II captured Samaria, deporting thousands of Israelites to Mesopotamia and Media while resettling foreigners in the land. The northern kingdom ceased to exist, and the exiles became known as the Ten Lost Tribes.

Nebuchadnezzar II's Babylonian army breached Jerusalem's walls after a long siege, burning the city and the First Temple and deporting much of the population to Babylon, ending the Davidic kingdom and beginning the Babylonian exile.

Image source: Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)

King Hezekiah centralized worship in Jerusalem, destroyed high places and idols, and celebrated a grand Passover. He also fortified Jerusalem and built the Siloam tunnel to secure the city's water supply.

Image source: Hezekiah

Sennacherib devastated Judah and besieged Jerusalem, but the city miraculously held out. According to biblical tradition, an angel struck down the Assyrian camp; Sennacherib withdrew, preserving Judah's independence.

Image source: Assyrian siege of Jerusalem

During Temple repairs, workers discovered a scroll of the Law, prompting King Josiah to launch sweeping religious reforms, purge idolatry, and renew the covenant, briefly reviving national devotion in Judah.

Image source: Josiah