Old Testament: Kings

Abijah

Also known as: Abijam
Name meaning: "YHWH is my father"
Approximately 28 references

Son and successor of Rehoboam as king of Judah (c. 913–910 BC). Despite his brief reign, he won a significant battle against Jeroboam of Israel, appealing to God's covenant with David (2 Chronicles 13). Kings and Chronicles assess him differently: Kings says he walked in the sins of his father (1 Kings 15:3), while Chronicles emphasizes his faithful speech before battle. The name was shared by several other figures — among them a son of Jeroboam I who died young (1 Kings 14:1) and a priestly division (Nehemiah 12:4; Luke 1:5) — and the reference count reflects all bearers.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 2:24, 1 Chronicles 3:10, 1 Chronicles 6:13, 1 Chronicles 7:8, 1 Chronicles 24:10, 1 Kings 14:1, 1 Samuel 8:2, 2 Chronicles 11:20, 2 Chronicles 11:22, 2 Chronicles 12:16 (and 17 more)

Abimelech

Name meaning: "My father is king"
Approximately 67 references

Name or title borne by several figures. The most notable is the Philistine king of Gerar who took Sarah (Genesis 20) and later made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 21). Another Abimelech was Gideon's son who murdered his seventy brothers and briefly ruled as king of Shechem before being killed (Judges 9).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 18:16, 2 Samuel 11:21, Genesis 20:2, Genesis 20:3, Genesis 20:4, Genesis 20:8, Genesis 20:9, Genesis 20:10, Genesis 20:14, Genesis 20:15 (and 52 more)

Ahab

Name meaning: "Father's brother"
Approximately 93 references

King of Israel (c. 874–853 BC) who married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, and promoted Baal worship throughout Israel. His confrontation with Elijah on Mount Carmel is recorded in 1 Kings 18. He seized Naboth's vineyard through judicial murder (1 Kings 21) and died in battle at Ramoth-gilead despite Micaiah's warning (1 Kings 22). Scripture records that he did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel than all the kings before him.

Key references: 1 Kings 16:28, 1 Kings 16:29, 1 Kings 16:30, 1 Kings 16:33, 1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 18:1, 1 Kings 18:2, 1 Kings 18:3, 1 Kings 18:5, 1 Kings 18:6 (and 71 more)

David

Name meaning: "Beloved"
Approximately 1134 references

Israel's second king, called a man "after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). A shepherd from Bethlehem who slew Goliath, he served under Saul, fled his murderous jealousy, and eventually became king over all Israel. He conquered Jerusalem, brought the Ark there, and received the Davidic covenant promising an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7). Credited with authoring many psalms, he is also remembered for his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah — a grave sin met with deep repentance (Psalm 51). He stands in the line of Jesus Christ.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 2:15, 1 Chronicles 3:1, 1 Chronicles 3:9, 1 Chronicles 4:31, 1 Chronicles 6:16, 1 Chronicles 7:2, 1 Chronicles 9:22, 1 Chronicles 10:14, 1 Chronicles 11:1, 1 Chronicles 11:3 (and 956 more)

Hezekiah

Name meaning: "YHWH strengthens"
Approximately 130 references

A reforming king of Judah (c. 715–686 BC) who instituted religious reforms and trusted God during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. When Sennacherib threatened, Hezekiah prayed and God destroyed the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19). He was also healed from a terminal illness, God granting him fifteen more years of life. His later decision to display the royal treasures to Babylonian envoys earned Isaiah's sharp rebuke (2 Kings 20).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 3:13, 1 Chronicles 3:23, 1 Chronicles 4:41, 2 Chronicles 28:27, 2 Chronicles 29:1, 2 Chronicles 29:18, 2 Chronicles 29:20, 2 Chronicles 29:27, 2 Chronicles 29:30, 2 Chronicles 29:31 (and 109 more)

Jehoshaphat

Name meaning: "YHWH judges"
Approximately 84 references

Generally righteous king of Judah (c. 872–848 BC) who strengthened the kingdom, sent teachers of the Law throughout Judah, and established a judicial system. However, his alliance with wicked King Ahab of Israel through the marriage of his son to Ahab's daughter Athaliah brought lasting consequences.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 3:10, 1 Chronicles 18:15, 1 Kings 4:3, 1 Kings 4:17, 1 Kings 15:24, 1 Kings 22:2, 1 Kings 22:4, 1 Kings 22:5, 1 Kings 22:7, 1 Kings 22:8 (and 65 more)

Jehu

Name meaning: "YHWH is he"
Approximately 58 references

Military commander anointed by a prophet sent by Elisha to destroy the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9–10). Executed Joram, Jezebel, and all of Ahab's descendants, as well as the priests of Baal. Though zealous in destroying Baal worship, he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam. Known for driving his chariot furiously (2 Kings 9:20).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 2:38, 1 Chronicles 4:35, 1 Chronicles 12:3, 1 Kings 16:1, 1 Kings 16:7, 1 Kings 16:12, 1 Kings 19:16, 1 Kings 19:17, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 20:34 (and 44 more)

Jeroboam

Name meaning: "The people increase"
Approximately 104 references

First king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the split (1 Kings 12). Set up golden calves at Dan and Bethel to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem to worship, establishing a pattern of idolatry that defined the northern kingdom. "The sins of Jeroboam" became a standard refrain of judgment against subsequent kings.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 5:17, 1 Kings 11:26, 1 Kings 11:28, 1 Kings 11:29, 1 Kings 11:31, 1 Kings 11:40, 1 Kings 12:2, 1 Kings 12:3, 1 Kings 12:12, 1 Kings 12:15 (and 85 more)

Josiah

Name meaning: "YHWH supports"
Approximately 53 references

The last reforming king of Judah (c. 640–609 BC), who began seeking God at age sixteen and initiated reforms after the Book of the Law was discovered in the Temple (2 Kings 22–23). Destroyed pagan shrines, restored Passover observance, and fulfilled the prophecy against Jeroboam's altar at Bethel. Killed in battle against Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 3:14, 1 Chronicles 3:15, 1 Kings 13:2, 2 Chronicles 33:25, 2 Chronicles 34:1, 2 Chronicles 34:33, 2 Chronicles 35:1, 2 Chronicles 35:7, 2 Chronicles 35:16, 2 Chronicles 35:18 (and 38 more)

Manasseh

Name meaning: "Causing to forget"
Approximately 134 references

The name belongs to two major figures. The first is Manasseh king of Judah (c. 697–642 BC) — Judah's longest-reigning king, who reversed his father Hezekiah's reforms, installed altars to Baal and Asherah in the Temple, practiced sorcery, and "shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end" (2 Kings 21:16). 2 Chronicles 33 records that he repented during Babylonian captivity and was restored to his throne. The second is Manasseh son of Joseph, patriarch of one of the twelve tribes. The reference count reflects personal, tribal, and geographic uses of the name.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 3:13, 1 Chronicles 5:18, 1 Chronicles 5:23, 1 Chronicles 5:26, 1 Chronicles 6:46, 1 Chronicles 6:47, 1 Chronicles 6:55, 1 Chronicles 6:56, 1 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Chronicles 7:17 (and 124 more)

Saul

Name meaning: "Asked for"
Approximately 415 references

First king of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, anointed by Samuel at the people's insistence (1 Samuel 9–10). Initially humble and effective in battle, he later disobeyed God repeatedly and was rejected as king. He spent his final years in jealous pursuit of David, his sanity fraying under divine abandonment. He died by his own hand after defeat at the hands of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 1:48, 1 Chronicles 1:49, 1 Chronicles 4:24, 1 Chronicles 5:10, 1 Chronicles 6:9, 1 Chronicles 8:33, 1 Chronicles 9:39, 1 Chronicles 10:2, 1 Chronicles 10:3, 1 Chronicles 10:4 (and 331 more)

Solomon

Name meaning: "Peaceful"
Approximately 305 references

Son of David and Bathsheba, third king of Israel. Famous for his wisdom (1 Kings 3), building the first Temple in Jerusalem, and his wealth and international prestige. Traditionally credited with Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. His many foreign wives led him into idolatry in his later years, prompting God's judgment of dividing the kingdom after his death (1 Kings 11).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 3:5, 1 Chronicles 3:10, 1 Chronicles 5:36, 1 Chronicles 6:17, 1 Chronicles 14:4, 1 Chronicles 18:8, 1 Chronicles 22:5, 1 Chronicles 22:6, 1 Chronicles 22:7, 1 Chronicles 22:9 (and 263 more)

Uzziah

Also known as: Azariah
Name meaning: "YHWH is my strength"
Approximately 48 references

Long-reigning king of Judah (c. 792–740 BC) who strengthened the military and economy. However, pride led him to burn incense in the Temple — a priestly prerogative — and God struck him with leprosy for the rest of his life (2 Chronicles 26). Isaiah's call came "in the year that King Uzziah died" (Isaiah 6:1).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 2:8, 1 Chronicles 2:38, 1 Chronicles 2:39, 1 Chronicles 3:12, 1 Chronicles 5:35, 1 Chronicles 5:36, 1 Chronicles 5:37, 1 Chronicles 5:39, 1 Chronicles 5:40, 1 Chronicles 6:21 (and 34 more)

13 entries. Reference counts are approximate, based on morphological analysis of the Westminster Leningrad Codex (Hebrew) and Open Greek New Testament.