Zachariah (King of Israel)
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Zachariah (Zechariah) was the son of Jeroboam II and the last king of the dynasty of Jehu. He reigned only six months in Samaria and did evil as his fathers had done. Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him and killed him openly, 'before the people.' His death fulfilled the LORD's word to Jehu that his sons would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation, and it opened a period of rapid assassinations that ended with Israel's fall to Assyria.
Biography
- Occupation
- King of Israel
- Father
- Jeroboam II
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
- Nationality
- Israelite
- Also Known As
- Zechariah
Family
Did You Know?
The dynasty of Jehu, which ended with Zachariah, was the longest in the history of the northern kingdom, spanning five kings and roughly a century.
Scripture points to the fulfilllment directly: 'Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass' (2 Kings 15:12).
Hosea, who prophesied in these years, had warned, 'I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu' (Hosea 1:4).
Key Chapters
Key Passages
The Promise to Jehu
2 Kings 10:30
God promises Jehu's line four generations on the throne, a limit as well as a reward.
30nd the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
Six Months in Samaria
2 Kings 15:8-9
The last of Jehu's line repeats the sins of his fathers in a reign of only half a year.
8n the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.
Slain Before the People
2 Kings 15:10-12
Scripture points to the fulfilllment directly: 'And so it came to pass.'
10nd Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.
