There are many evil kings in the Bible. Some of them were evil from the start, while others turned evil after they gained power. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the evilest kings in the Bible, and what made them so wicked. We will also explore their biblical counterparts, who were often good kings.
Table of Contents
Evil Kings in the Bible
- Saul
- David
- Solomon
- Rehoboam
- Ahab
- Joram
- Ahaziah
- Ahaziah
- Manasseh
- Nebuchadnezzar
- Belshazzar
- Herod
- Pilate
What Happens to Israel when their King was Evil
Israelites were a people who God had brought out of slavery in Egypt. They had experienced his power firsthand, and had seen him provide for their every need in the wilderness. As a result, they were grateful to God and wanted to please him. Lets explore Evil Kings in the Bible>
However, there were also times when they disobeyed him and worshipped false idols instead. This often led to them experiencing his discipline, such as when they were exiled from the Promised Land. But even in exile, God was faithful to his covenant with Israel and always kept his promises. In fact, it was during times of Exile that some of the greatest leaders in Israel’s history emerged, such as Ezekiel and Jeremiah.
As a result, we see that even when Israel’s kings are evil, God is still faithful to his people and can use even the darkest circumstances for good.
Wicked Kings Had what Weaknesses.
Wicked Kings had what weaknesses. Every king had different weaknesses. Even the most wicked and sinful of them all had some sort of weakness. And that was their downfall. It was their undoing. That is why we must be so careful not to have any weaknesses.
If we have any sort of weakness, it can be used against us and it can lead to our downfall. So let us be on guard and watch out for our weaknesses. Let us avoid them at all costs. For if we don’t, they will surely destroy us.
How Many Evil Kings vs Good Kings were there in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, we see a constant battle between good and evil. On one side is God, the ultimate Good, while on the other side is Satan, the personification of Evil. In between these two extremes are human beings, each of whom must choose which side to follow.
The Bible tells us that there have been both good and evil kings throughout history. Some, like David and Solomon, followed God and led their people in righteousness. Others, like Ahab and Manasseh, turned away from God and led their people into wickedness.
The choice of which path to follow is ultimately up to each individual, but the Bible makes it clear that there are consequences for our choices. Those who follow God will be blessed, while those who turn away from Him will experience His wrath.
Why was Ahab an Evil King?
In the Old Testament Book of 1 King, Ahab was the seventh king of the northern kingdom of Israel. He was an evil king who led his people into idol worship and wickedness. One of the reasons why Ahab was an evil king was because he married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess who worshipped the false god Baal.
She influenced Ahab to turn away from the true God and led him to build a temple for Baal worship in Samaria. Ahab also encouraged idol worship by erecting an Asherah pole, which was a pagan symbol of fertility. He even went so far as to sacrifice his own son to Baal.
Because of his great sinfulness, God sent the prophet Elijah to pronounce judgment on Ahab. Ultimately, Ahab’s evil deeds led to his downfall and the destruction of his kingdom.
List of Great Kings in the Bible?
David was one of the most important kings in the Bible. He was the second king of Israel, and he ruled for 40 years. He is best known for his victory over Goliath, but he also did a lot to unite the country and make it prosperous. Solomon was the next great king of Israel.
He was well known for his wisdom, and he built the Temple in Jerusalem. He also had a great relationship with God, and he wrote many of the Psalms. Josiah was another great king of Israel. He was only eight years old when he became king, but he did a lot to reform the country and make it more religious.
He is credited with rediscovering the Book of the Law, which had been lost for many years. These are just a few of the great kings mentioned in the Bible. Each one played an important role in shaping the history of Israel.
What Kings in the Bible Obeyed God?
David, Solomon, Hezekiah, and Josiah are a few of the kings in the Bible who are recorded as obeying God. David was a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He ruled over Israel for forty years and was known for his military prowess and wisdom.
Solomon is David’s son and he reigned for forty years as well. He is most well-known for his wisdom but he also pleased God by obeying His commands. Hezekiah was another king who pleased God. The Bible says that he did what was right in the Lord’s sight, just as his father David had done (2 Chronicles 29:2).
And finally, Josiah is one of the few kings who, when faced with the evil in his kingdom, turned to God with all his heart and soul and led his people back to God’s ways (2 Kings 22-23). These are only a few of the many kings in the Bible who chose to obey God. As they did, they were blessed; their kingdoms prospered and they left a legacy of faithfulness for future generations.
Major Lessons from Kings in the Bible?
There are many lessons that we can learn from the kings in the Bible. Here are five major lessons:
1. We must be careful not to let power go to our heads.
2. We must always put God first in our lives.
3. We need to be careful not to let wealth or possessions become our idols.
4. We should always seek wisdom and counsel from God.
5. We need to be prepared to stand up for what is right, even if it means going against popular opinion or facing opposition.
5 Major Significance of the Leadership of Bad Kings in the Bible?
There are many stories in the Bible of bad kings who led their people astray. While these stories may seem like ancient history, they can actually teach us a lot about what it means to be a good leader. Here are five major lessons that we can learn from the leadership of bad kings in the Bible:
1. A leader must have a clear vision for the future.
2. A leader must be able to inspire others to follow him or her.
3. A leader must be able to make tough decisions, even when they are unpopular.
4. A leader must be willing to sacrifice for the greater good.
5. A leader must be held accountable for his or her actions.
While no leader is perfect, these lessons from the Bible can help us to become better leaders in our own lives. By studying the mistakes of bad kings, we can learn how to avoid making the same mistakes ourselves and instead become leaders that our people can look up to and respect.
Why is Jesus Considered the King of Kings?
The title “King of Kings” is found in the Bible in several places, most notably in the Book of Revelation. The phrase is used to refer to Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate ruler over all creation. The title emphasizes Jesus’ supremacy over all other earthly rulers and highlights his role as the divine ruler of the cosmos.
In Revelation, Jesus is described as the one who will come to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. For Christians, this makes Jesus the ultimate King, one who is worthy of our allegiance and devotion.
As the King of Kings, Jesus is also considered to be our Savior and redeemer, making him someone who we can turn to for help and guidance in our lives. Because of all that he represents, Jesus is truly the King of all Kings.
Saul
King Saul Failed Because He:
- put his trust in humans instead of God (15:30)
- was disobedient to God’s commands (15:26)
- allowed jealousy to consume him (18:12)
- had a heart that was not fully devoted to God (13:13)
David
David was a Good King but failed when he:
- committed adultery with Bathsheba (11:27)
- arranged for the death of her husband, Uriah (11:25)
Solomon
Solomon was a good king but failed when he:
- married foreign women and allowed them to worship false gods (11:14)
- was led astray by his wives and ended up worshipping false gods himself (11:33)
- amassed great wealth and allowed it to corrupt him (12:19)
- mistreated his people, especially those who were poor and powerless (12:14)
Rehoboam
Rehoboam was a bad king because he:
- rejected the advice of the older, wiser men in favor of the young men who were his friends (12:13)
- listened to evil advisors and did what they advised instead of listening to God’s prophets (12:15)
- was arrogant and refused to listen to the people’s complaints (12:14)
- was cruel and oppressed his people (12:11-12)
Ahab
Ahab was a bad king because he:
- married Jezebel, a foreign woman who worshiped false gods (16:31)
- allowed her to lead him astray and led the people of Israel into wickedness (16:30-33)
- murdered prophets and other people who opposed him (18:13, 22:38)
- was more evil than any other king before him (16:30)
Joram
Joram was a bad king because:
- he followed in the evil ways of his father, Ahab (21:25)
- he continued to allow Jezebel to lead him and the people of Israel into wickedness (21:25)
- he murdered prophets and other people who opposed him (22:40)
Ahaziah
Ahaziah was a bad king because:
- he continued in the evil ways of his father, Joram, and grandfather, Ahab (22:52)
- he followed the evil advice of Jezebel instead of listening to God’s prophets (22:53)
- he led the people of Israel into wickedness (22:52)
Manasseh
Manasseh was a bad king because:
- he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, more so than any other king before him (33:15)
- he led the people of Israel astray and into wickedness (33:15, 17, 19)
- he sacrificed his own children in the fire and practiced sorcery and divination (33:21, 24)
- he set up altars to false gods and led the people of Israel to worship them (33:15, 17, 19)
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar was a bad king because:
- he conquered and destroyed many nations (17:12, 18)
- he enslaved the people of Israel and forced them to live in exile in Babylon (17:14)
- he was arrogant and refused to acknowledge that God was the true ruler over all creation (17:24)
Belshazzar
Belshazzar was a bad king because:
- he did not learn from the mistakes of his father, Nebuchadnezzar, and continued in evil ways (21:11)
- he led the people of Babylon into wickedness (21:11)
- he openly defied God by using the vessels from the temple of God to worship false gods (21:23)
- he was arrogant and refused to acknowledge that God was the true ruler over all creation (21:25)
Herod
Herod was a bad king because:
- he was cruel and killed many innocent people, including children (23:15, 24:19)
- he was a puppet of the Roman Empire and allowed them to control his actions (23:13)
- he was dishonest and lied to people in order to get what he wanted (23:14-15)
- he was arrogant and thought of himself as being more important than anyone else (23:13)
Pilate
Pilate was a bad king because:
- he surrendered to the demands of the people and had Jesus executed, even though he knew that Jesus was innocent (23:24, 25)
- he allowed evil men to control his actions and led the people of Israel into wickedness (23:33)
- he was arrogant and refused to listen to Jesus’ warnings about the consequences of evil (23:34-35)
The above are some examples of evil kings in the Bible. As you can see, they all have one thing in common – their evil actions led the people astray and into wicked
- King Ahab – He was the seventh king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, and he reigned from 874-853 BC. Ahab is remembered as one of the most wicked and idolatrous kings in the Bible, as he was known for his associations with the prophets of Baal and for marrying the Phoenician princess Jezebel.
- King Herod the Great – He was the king of Judea from 37-4 BC, and he is remembered as one of the most tyrannical rulers in the Bible. He is known for his numerous acts of cruelty and his willingness to do anything to maintain his power and influence.
- King Nebuchadnezzar II – He was the king of Babylon from 605-562 BC, and he is remembered for his oppressive rule of the Jewish people. He exiled the Jews from Jerusalem and destroyed the temple, and he also used violence and threats of violence to keep the people obedient.
- King Antiochus IV Epiphanes – He was the king of the Seleucid Empire from 175-164 BC, and he is remembered as one of the most evil rulers in the Bible. Antiochus was responsible for the persecution of the Jews and the desecration of the temple in Jerusalem.
- King Sennacherib – He was the king of Assyria from 705-681 BC, and he is remembered as one of the most powerful and violent rulers in the Bible. He was responsible for the destruction of the northern Kingdom of Israel, as well as for the siege of Jerusalem.
- King Ahaz – He was the king of Judah from 735-715 BC, and he is remembered as one of the most wicked kings in the Bible. He is known for his idolatry and for his willingness to sacrifice his own son in the worship of pagan gods.
- King Pharaoh of Egypt – He was the ruler of Egypt during the time of Moses and the Exodus, and he is remembered as one of the most tyrannical rulers in the Bible. He is responsible for the enslavement of the Israelites and for his refusal to let them go, even after numerous plagues had been sent upon Egypt.
Kings of the Bible Good and Bad
Certainly! The Bible, especially the Old Testament, chronicles the reigns of various kings of Israel and Judah. Here’s a simplified table classifying some of these kings as traditionally viewed as “good” (those who were faithful to God and promoted righteousness) or “bad” (those who turned away from God and promoted idolatry and wickedness). Note that this categorization is based on biblical narratives, and some kings might have moments of both righteousness and wrongdoing:
Table: Kings of the Bible – Good and Bad
| Good Kings | Bad Kings |
|---|---|
| Kings of Israel | Kings of Israel |
| – None (The kings of Israel, the northern kingdom, are uniformly criticized in the Bible for their idolatry.) | – Jeroboam I – Nadab – Baasha – Elah – Zimri – Omri – Ahab – Ahaziah – Jehoram (or Joram) – Jehu – Jehoahaz – Jehoash (or Joash) – Jeroboam II – Zechariah – Shallum – Menahem – Pekahiah – Pekah – Hoshea |
| Kings of Judah | Kings of Judah |
| – Asa – Jehoshaphat – Joash (or Jehoash) – Amaziah – Uzziah (or Azariah) – Jotham – Hezekiah – Josiah | – Rehoboam – Abijah – Jehoram (or Joram) – Ahaziah – Athaliah (queen) – Ahaz – Manasseh – Amon – Jehoahaz – Jehoiakim – Jehoiachin – Zedekiah |
This table provides a basic overview. It’s essential to recognize that each king’s reign had complexities and that some “bad” kings had moments of repentance or positive actions, and some “good” kings made mistakes. For a complete understanding, it’s helpful to refer to the biblical books of 1 and 2 Kings, as well as 1 and 2 Chronicles.
Final Thoughts – Evil Kings in the Bible
It is sad when Looking at the Leadership of the Evil Kings in the Old Testament They
- Turned away from God
- Became Selfish
- Chased Wealth instead of RighteousnessAnd in general put themselves and their own evil desires above the people they were supposed to lead. We can learn from these examples though, that evil never wins in the end. These kings all met with bad ends, even if some of them did have a “change of heart” before their final days.
They Led Their nations astray evil kings in the Bible all had one thing in common: their evil actions led the people astray and into wickedness. As you can see from the examples above, these leaders turned away from God, became selfish, and chased wealth instead of righteousness. In general, they put themselves and their own evil desires above the people
God Bless Greg
Best Old Testament Commentaries
Below is a table featuring some renowned Old Testament commentaries, their publishers, and websites where they can be found. As always, it’s best to confirm availability on multiple platforms or the publishers’ websites.
| Commentary Name | Publisher | Website |
|---|---|---|
| The New International Commentary on the Old Testament | Eerdmans | Eerdmans |
| Word Biblical Commentary | Zondervan | Zondervan |
| Baker Commentary on the Old Testament | Baker Academic | Baker Academic |
| The Anchor Yale Bible Commentary | Yale University Press | Yale University Press |
| Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries | InterVarsity Press | InterVarsity Press |
| Expositor’s Bible Commentary | Zondervan | Zondervan |
| The Old Testament for Everyone | Westminster John Knox Press | Westminster John Knox Press |
Note: As with the New Testament table, this table provides generalized examples and does not list each volume within the commentary series. The commentaries can usually be found on the publishers’ websites or other online book retailers such as Amazon or Christianbook. It is always advisable to check for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding availability.
