Understanding the Divided Kingdom Through God’s Word
Explore the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah in this Bible-based post. Learn about the Kings of Israel and Judah, who followed God and who did not, and discover engaging ways to teach their stories to kids!
Learning Objectives
- Understand how and why the kingdom of Israel split in two.
- Learn to recognize the difference between kings who followed God and those who did not.
- Discover how choices of leaders impact entire nations.
Introductory Activity
Begin by drawing a large crown on the board. Then ask: “What makes a good leader?” Write down responses. Then say, “Today we’ll learn about many kings, some who honored God, and some who didn’t, and what happened because of their choices.”
Memory Verse
Proverbs 14:34 (NIV)
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”
Let kids create a scroll with this verse, decorating it with gold and silver colors to represent a king’s decree.
Bible Story Summary: The Divided Kingdom
After King Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king. When the people asked Rehoboam to lighten their workload, he refused and threatened to be even harsher than his father. Because of his pride, the kingdom split into two parts:
- The northern kingdom became known as Israel, with ten tribes and Jeroboam as its first king.
- The southern kingdom remained as Judah, with two tribes (Judah and Benjamin), and Rehoboam ruled there.
From that point forward, both kingdoms had their own kings—some who followed God, but many who turned to idols and false worship.
✦ Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom)
Judah had 20 kings, some faithful to God, others not. The kingdom lasted longer and was eventually taken by Babylon.
- Rehoboam: ✗ Bad: Allowed idolatry and lost part of the kingdom.
- Abijah (Abijam): ✗ Bad: Followed in the sins of his father.
- Asa: ✓ Good: Removed idols and trusted God (though stumbled later).
- Jehoshaphat: ✓ Good: Promoted the teaching of God’s law, but allied with wicked kings.
- Jehoram (Joram): ✗ Bad: Married Ahab’s daughter and promoted idol worship.
- Ahaziah: ✗ Bad: Followed the ways of his mother Athaliah.
- Athaliah: ✗ Very bad: Usurped the throne and killed the royal family.
- Joash (Jehoash): ✓ Good at first, but later turned away from God.
- Amaziah: ✗ Bad: Became prideful and was defeated by Israel.
- Azariah (Uzziah): ✓ Good: Prospered, but pride led to leprosy.
- Jotham: ✓ Good: Faithful to God, though the people continued in sin.
- Ahaz: ✗ Very bad: Practiced idolatry and sought help from Assyria.
- Hezekiah: ✓ Very good: Great spiritual reformer, trusted God against Assyria.
- Manasseh: ✗ Very bad (though repented later): Brought extreme idolatry.
- Amon: ✗ Bad: Continued in his father’s evil ways.
- Josiah: ✓ Excellent: Restored the temple, found the Book of the Law.
- Jehoahaz: ✗ Bad: Brief and disobedient reign.
- Jehoiakim: ✗ Bad: Burned Jeremiah’s scrolls, did evil.
- Jehoiachin (Jeconiah): ✗ Bad: Taken into exile in Babylon.
- Zedekiah: ✗ Bad: Last king, rebelled against Babylon, kingdom fell.
✦ Kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom)
The northern kingdom had 19 kings, and none of them were faithful to God. They led the people into sin, worshiped idols, and eventually fell to the Assyrians.
- Jeroboam I: ✗ Bad: Introduced calf worship and false altars.
- Nadab: ✗ Bad: Walked in his father’s sinful ways.
- Baasha: ✗ Bad: Killed Jeroboam’s family and led Israel into sin.
- Elah: ✗ Bad: Killed by his servant Zimri.
- Zimri: ✗ Bad: Reigned only 7 days before suicide.
- Omri: ✗ Bad: Built Samaria and led Israel further into sin.
- Ahab: ✗ Very bad: Married Jezebel, promoted Baal worship, persecuted prophets.
- Ahaziah: ✗ Bad: Consulted false gods.
- Joram (Jehoram): ✗ Bad: Son of Ahab, continued idolatry.
- Jehu: ✗ Bad: Destroyed Baal worship but kept idol worship at Dan and Bethel.
- Jehoahaz: ✗ Bad: Continued in idolatry.
- Jehoash (Joash): ✗ Bad: Military success, but spiritual failure.
- Jeroboam II: ✗ Bad: Prosperous politically but promoted sin.
- Zechariah: ✗ Bad: Ruled briefly, assassinated.
- Shallum: ✗ Bad: Reigned for a month, then killed.
- Menahem: ✗ Bad: Cruel ruler, paid tribute to Assyria.
- Pekahiah: ✗ Bad: Killed by Pekah.
- Pekah: ✗ Bad: Lost territory to Assyria.
- Hoshea: ✗ Bad: Last king, kingdom fell to Assyria.
God sent prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and Jeremiah to warn both kingdoms. Sadly, most kings did not listen. Yet, God remained faithful to His promises—even when His people were not.
Lessons from the Story
- Leadership matters: The choices of a leader affect many people.
- God honors faithfulness: Kings who followed God brought blessing to their people.
- Disobedience brings consequences: Idolatry and sin led to destruction.
- God remains faithful: Even in judgment, He offers hope and restoration.
Creative Teaching Ideas
- Create a King Chart: Divide a poster into “Israel” and “Judah.” Have kids add crowns with each king’s name and a ✓ or ✗ based on their faithfulness.
- Crown Bracelets: Have the children make crown bracelets out of paper, and have each one say what kind of king they would like to be.
- Prophet Puppet Skits: Use puppets to act out scenes where prophets speak to kings.
- Timeline Wall: Create a colorful timeline with cards of the kings and major events like the fall of Samaria or the destruction of Jerusalem.
Closing Encouragement
Though many kings failed, the Bible reminds us that God’s plan never fails. He continued to work through faithful leaders, prophets, and ultimately through the promised King: Jesus, who is the perfect King forever. Encourage your students to be like the faithful kings, seeking God, standing for truth, and leading with courage.
Featured Resource
Make teaching the divided kingdom easy and engaging with our Kings of Israel and Judah Bible Lesson Activity Pack!
This printable pack includes coloring story pages, fun worksheets, fun activities, and more, in both English and Spanish, to help children explore the lives and choices of each king.
