CHRONOLOGY OF THE KINGS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH.

The dates and events in the time of the Divided Kingdom cannot be fixed with any degree of exactitude. The approximate dates, as given in the margins of our Authorized Bibles, computed by Archbishop Ussher and printed first in 1701, have been much modified by several recent systems of chronology, appearing in the last generation, and more closely conforming to probable history. These new systems divide into two main classes: those based on a somewhat longer existence of the two kingdoms; and those that reduce the period by some forty years. The latter are more likely correct, since they are based on more accurate chronological data, particularly Assyrian inscriptions. The following table is based on that found in the German Bible Dictionary of Riehm:

CHRONOLOGY OF THE KINGS OF SYRIA.

We know but little of Syria's earlier history. It was at first called Aram. It was divided into several small sections, of which Damascus seems to have been the most important. Saul (I. Sam. 14:47) and David (II. Sam. 8) conquered portions of the land. Syria continued hostile to Israel, from the days of Solomon on; but as it was itself continually struggling for its defence against Assyria, it really served as a protection for Israel against that country. It was because of their common foe, Assyria, that King Rezin of Syria formed his famous alliance with Pekah, King of Israel (II. Kings 15:29; 16:5). Meyer's "Geschichte des Alterthums" gives the following rather uncertain table of chronology:

Soon after 2000 B. C., it is believed that a colony went north from Babylonia, and founded what was later the great Assyrian Empire. By 1400 B. C. it had become an independent kingdom, probably. Its chief city, Nineveh, was founded by Shalmaneser I., about 1300 B. C. From that time, save for one brief period (1060-930) until 625 B. C., Assyria was the greatest Eastern Kingdom, its soldiers sweeping over the whole territory surrounding. In 606, the Medes and Babylonians conquered Nineveh, and Assyria became again a Babylonian Kingdom. The period of decline above referred to (1060-930) was the time the

prophets of this period refer quite often to Assyria and its people.

The chronology of Assyrian Kings is approximately as follows:

Shalmaneser.

.860-826 B.C.

(Not named in the Bible, but the Assyrian inscriptions record tnat tribute was paid him by Jehu.)

Tiglath-pileser II.....745 728 B.C...
Shalmaneser IV. .727-723 B.C..

Sargon.

Sennacheribl..

Esar-haddon.

Assur-bani pal.

722-706 B.C.

.(Pu))2 Ki, 15: 19, 29. .2 Ki. 17: 3, etc. ..Is. 20: 1.

..2 Ki. 18: 13, etc

.705-682 B.C...

.681-669 B.C..

..2. Ki. 19: 37.

...668-626 B.C.(? Osnapper or Asnapper.) Ezra 4: 10. BABYLONIA CONQUERS ASSYRIA.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE KINGS OF BABYLONIA.

The early history of Babylonia, reaching back further than 3000 B. C., is lost in obscurity. About that date several independent States seem to have existed, one of them, Sumir, having Ur for its Capital, from which city, the family of Abram seems to have migrated. Akkad in the northern part of the country, is mentioned about 2200 B. C. on the monuments. Consolidation of the various States was effected within the next five or six centuries; but no firmly united monarchy existed until 1670 B. C., when the Cassite Prince from Elam, Chammu-ragas (IIammurabi) effected it. When Assyria conquered Babylonia in the thirteenth century, a Chaldean Power was established in Babylon. This Assyrian rule continued. until Assur-bani-pal's death in 625 B. C. After this Nabopolassar acted as an independent king. Under Nebuchadnezzar Babylonia reached its zenith. Cyrus

History of Old Testament Times.

conquered her in 538 B. C., and she became part of the Medo-Persian Empire.

The following is the chronology and history of its chief kings:

Merodach-baladan (II. Kings 20:12)

Had communication with Hezekiah.

Nabopolassar

Founded the Independent Empire.

Nebuchadnezzar (II. Kings 34:1; Jeremiah 27:6;
Daniel)

Captured Jerusalem, 597 B.C. Detroyed it, 586 B.C. Evil-merodach (II. Kings 25: 27; Jeremiah 52:31) Nabonidus (Belshazzar's Father. Dan. 5:1; 7:1; 8:1) Either Belshazzar or Nabonidus was the last king of Babylon, under whom it was conquered by Cyrus, the Mede. The conflict here is between Babylonian and Bible records. Cyrus, the Mede (II. Chron. 36: 22; Isa. 44: 28; Ezra 1:1)

Conquered Babylon, 538 B. C. Returned some Jews to Jerusalem, under Zerubbabel, 536 B. C. Darius I. (Hystaspis). (Ezra 6:1; Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 1:1)

721-710 B. C.

625-605 B. C.

604-562 B. C.

561-560 B. C.

555-538 B. C.

537-530 B. C.

·

521-485 B. C.

485-465 B. C.

465-424 B. C.

Xerxes I. (Ahasuerus).
Artaxerxes, Longimanus.
Nehemiah 2:1)
Second Return to Jerusalem, under Ezra, and re-
building of its walls, by Nehemiah, 445 B. C.

(Esther; Ezra 4:6)
(Ezra 4:7; 6:14; 7:1;

Darius II. (Nothos, Ochus).

Darius, the Persian, perhaps of Nehemiah 12:22,
though most modern scholars think this was
Darius III.

424-405 B. C