Jesus's Royal Ancestry: Rulers of the Kingdom of Judah

Matthew’s genealogy (Matt 1:1–16) names several of the rulers of the kingdom of Judah—Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah—that are part of Jesus Christ’s ancestry. Matthew’s genealogy also refers to King David and his son Solomon (Matt. 1:6–7). All of these rulers played prominent roles in world history, and all were Jesus’s progenitors.

Nineteen kings and one queen served as rulers in the kingdom of Judah. The average reign lasted approximately seventeen years, with the longest being Manasseh’s reign, which persisted for fifty-five years. Two kings—Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin—reigned for only three months. After Jehoahaz ruled Judah for three months, Egypt’s pharaoh captured and exiled him to Egypt, where he eventually died (2 Kgs. 23:33–34). About a decade later, Jehoiachin was enthroned, and he ruled for about three months.       

Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jehoiachin, made him prisoner, and exiled him to Babylon, together with his mother, his wives, and others of his kingdom (2 Kgs. 24:10–16).[1]

Compared to the average longevity of modern times, kings’ life spans were not long. According to the available data, the average length of a king’s life in Judah was forty-four years (see column 4). The youngest king died at twenty-two years old, the oldest at sixty-eight.

During its existence, the kingdom of Judah was marked by internal strife, competition for the crown, idolatry and false worship, and wars against neighboring world powers. The kingdom was smeared by much wickedness, including idolatry (1 Kgs. 11:33; 14:24; 2 Kgs. 21:7; 23:6–7; 18:4) and the rejection of God’s prophets (1 Chr. 16:22). Of Judah’s twenty rulers, twelve engaged in evil practices in their kingdom.

During its history, the kingdom of Judah battled against a number of foreign powers, including Egypt (1 Kgs. 14:25–26), Syria (1 Kgs. 22:1–40), and Assyria (2 Kgs. 18–19).

The kingdom of Judah lasted approximately 345 years, from Rehoboam (930 BC) to Zedekiah (586 BC). Nebuchadnezzar and his armies dealt the final blow to Judah (2 Kgs. 25:1–2, 21).

Although Matthew’s genealogy lists several kings in Jesus Christ’s ancestry, Jesus is markedly different from all mortal kings. He is perfect, sinless, and full of love, grace, and mercy, and His kingdom will be an “everlasting kingdom” (2 Pet. 1:11). Furthermore, He is the “king of glory” (Ps. 24:7). He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:16).