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But Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Many of them came from nations where idols were worshipped. They turned his heart away from God, especially in his old age. The Lord vowed to "punish the descendants of David because of this, though not forever."
When Solomon died, his eldest son, Rehoboam, became the new king. Rehoboam reigned 17 years and was followed on the throne by his favorite son, Abijah. Abijah's son, Asa, in turn became king upon his father's death. Asa became seriously diseased in his feet and put his faith in doctors rather than the Lord. So he died and then his son, Jehoshaphat, became the new king. He was a good king and did not worship idols. Upon Jehoshaphat's death, his son Jehoram became the new ruler. But Jehoram was a wicked king and he died unmourned. Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, was chosen by the people of Jerusalem to be their new king (marauding Arabs had killed the two older sons). Ahaziah, too, was wicked and was killed after reigning one year in Jerusalem. Only one son, Joash, lived to succeed him as king. Joash ruled for 40 years and restored the temple. When Joash died, his son Amaziah became the new king.
King Amaziah turned away from the Lord and was killed. His 16 year old son, Uzziah, was then crowned as the new king. But the Lord struck Uzziah with leprosy and his son, Jotham, became vice-regent, in charge of the king's affairs and of the judging of the people of the land. When Uzziah died, Jotham became the new king. King Jotham became powerful by following the path of the Lord his God. After reigning for 16 years, Jotham died and his son Ahaz assumed the throne.
Unlike his ancestor, King David, Ahaz was an evil ruler who sacrificed children to idols. So God permitted the king of Syria to defeat him in battle. Upon his death, his son Hezekiah became the new king. Hezekiah's reign lasted 29 years and then his son Manasseh became the new king. Manasseh was an evil king who eventually repented. He reigned for 55 years and his son Amon became king upon his death. Amon was assassinated by his officers and his son Josiah became the new king. Josiah cleansed the kingdom of idols and was well mourned when he died after reigning 31 years. Josiah's son Jehoahaz was selected to be the new king.
After reigning only three months, the king of Egypt deposed Jehoahaz and made his brother Eliakim (whose name was changed to Jehoiakim) king over Jerusalem and Judah. After reigning for 11 years, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon conquered the kingdom and took him in chains to Babylon. Then Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place. The following spring, Jehoiachin was summoned to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar and Jehoiachin's brother Zedekiah was appointed the new king. God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Zedekiah against worshipping heathen idols, but he refused to follow Jehovah. So the Lord used the king of Babylon to destroy him and his people. Those who survived were taken away to Babylon as slaves until Persia conquered Babylon and King Cyrus released the captive Jews.
After the exile, Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel; Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel; Zerubabbel was the father of Abiud; Abiud was the father of Eliakim; Eliakim was the father of Azor; Azor was the father of Zadok; Zadok was the father of Achim; Achim was the father of Eliud; Eliud was the father of Eleazer; Eleazer was the father of Matthan; Matthan was the father of Jacob; Jacob was the father of Joseph (who was the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ). Thus there are 14 generations from Abraham to King David, and 14 from the exile to Jesus Christ.
God is Our Father. He created the first man, Adam, who is linked by an unbroken line, generation after generation, to Our Savior, Jesus Christ: Adam; Seth; Enosh; Cainan; Mahalalel; Jared; Enoch; Methuselah; Lamech; Noah; Shem; Arphaxad; Salah; Judah; Perez; Hezron; Ram; Amminadab; Nashon; Salmon; Boaz; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram; Ahaziah; Joash; Amaziah; Uzziah; Jotham; Ahaz; Hezekiah; Manasseh; Amon; Josiah; Jehoiakim; Jehoiachin; Shealtiel; Zerubbabel; Abiud; Eliakim; Azor; Zadok; Achim; Eliud; Eleazer; Matthan; Jacob; Joseph; Jesus.
ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS. WE ARE LINKED BOTH GENETICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. GOD CREATED US IN HIS IMAGE AND WE ARE ALL OF ONE FLESH!
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