Kings of Israel Trivia Quiz

Answer: David

Jonathan was Saul's son, and David's friend. Samuel was the major prophet during this period. It was Saul's decision to offer up a sacrifice in Gigal, rather than destroying the spoil, that ultimately cost him his kingdom. On that day, said Samuel, "The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou." (I Samuel 15:28).

It was some time, however, before David was actually able to assume the throne and restore peace.

Answer: Solomon

David desired to build a temple, but God prevented him. However, God promised that his heir would build it: "And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever" (2 Samuel 7:12-13).
Many Christians take this to refer, on different levels, to both Solomon and Christ.

Solomon was the third King of Israel. He succeeded his father, David, the second king, who in turn succeeded the first king -- Saul.

Answer: Jeroboam

Jeroboam lead ten of the tribes to split off, forming a separate kingdom, as had been prophesied in the reign of Solomon (I Kings 11:31). The southern kingdom became known as Judah. Jeroboam established Dan and Bethel as religious centers of worship to prevent trips to Jerusalem; there he set up two golden calves. Abijam was a king of Judah who ruled at about the same time as Jeroboam, warring with him from time to time, and capturing some of the towns of the northern kingdom.

Answer: Baasha

Baasha warred with Asa, king of Judah. Asa sought support from Syria, whose king Benhadad attacked Israel. (See I Kings chapters 15-16 for more.)

Answer: Omri

Jehosophat was a king of Judah, who reigned for 25 years. Nimrod lived much earlier, and he was credited with founding Babel. For more on Omri, see I Kings 16.

Answer: Ahab

Ahab, son of Omri, disguised himself when he went into battle for Ramoth-gilead; he was randomly shot with a bow and died. See chapters 16 through 22 of I Kings for more on this king.

Answer: Joram

Joram (Jehoram) fought with Moab, joined by Jehosophat King of Judah. Elisha was the primary prophet during his reign. See 1 Kings 22 for more on Ahaziah.

Answer: Jehu

Ahaziah and Joram, two sons of Ahab, had succeeded the wicked king. But during Joram's reign, Jehu was anointed to carry out vengeance against Ahab's house. He pursued Ahab's wife Jezebel, and her own eunuchs threw her out the window. Jehu tread her body under his horse's feet, so that the dogs licked up her blood.

The leaders of Samaria, afraid of Jehu, agreed to kill Ahab's 70 sons, and they sent Jehu their heads. Jehu slew all of the remaining servants, priests, and house of Ahab. (See 2 Kings 10.)

Answer: Joash (Jehoash)

Joash visited the prophet Elisha on his death bed, and the prophet made him shoot an arrow, saying, "The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria." He then told Joash to smite the ground, and he hit it three times. Elisha was angry: "Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shall smite Syria but thrice." (See 2 Kings 13.)

Answer: Jeroboam II

You can read more about the second Jeroboam in 2 Kings 14.

Answer: Menahem

Menahem warred with Pul king of Asyria, eventually paying him tribute by exacting the money from Israel. (See 2 Kings 15 for more.)

Answer: Pekah

This is the beginning of Israel's exile and eventual dissolution, as Tiglathpileser begins to carry the Jews off to Asyria. For more on Pekah, see 2 Kings 15.

Answer: Hoshea

After the fall of Samaria, the capital of Israel, the Assyrian kings planted colonists who intermarried with those left in Israel. From them descended the mixed race of the Samaritans, who were despised by the Jews because of their Gentile blood and their worship, which centered at Mt. Gerzim (Source: Ryrie Study Bible).

Answer: Assyria

At this point, the ten tribes of Israel exit the stage of history and generally enter the realm of legend. It was the southern kingdom, Judah, that was taken captive in Babylon.

Answer: Israel and Judah

I and II Chronicles, however, focuses mainly on the kings of Judah, rather than on both kingdoms. The kings of Israel are mentioned in Chronicles only in so much as they interact with Judah. Apparently, there was also a separate book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel, which we do not have in our Bibles. Reference is made to this book in 2 Kings 14.