An Age-Based Look at Judah’s Kings
The following analysis used the premium version of GPT-4, which has access to Bing’s ChatGPT search functionality. Each king was queried individually to ensure the highest accuracy in the responses. Our examination starts with King Saul, who preceded David. While David is officially recognized as the first ruler of Judah, it’s important to note that Saul was the first to govern all of Israel. After a 7.5-year reign over just Judah, David succeeded Saul and expanded his rule to encompass all of Israel.
All ages were verified by me personally.
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How old was Saul when he became king?
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Saul became king at the age of 30, as confirmed by several sources:
1. A snippet from **Bible Hub** references that Saul was 30 years old when he ascended to the throne, and that his reign lasted for 42 years over Israel【205†(Bible Hub)】.
2. Another source, **Bible.ca**, reinforces the information that Saul was 30 years old when he became king, and provides additional context regarding Saul’s son Jonathan, who was old enough to lead a battle against the Philistines at that time【206†(Bible.ca)】.
3. A **Biography** snippet underlines the assumption that Saul became king at the age of 30, around 1020 BCE, based on which he would have been born around 1050 BCE【207†(Biography)】.
4. **Learn Religions** also acknowledges that Saul was 30 years old when he became king and reigned over Israel for a period of 42 years, highlighting a particular event during Saul’s reign where he disobeyed God’s command, which formed a crucial aspect of the conditional covenant between God and Israel【208†(Learn Religions)】.
5. Lastly, a discussion on **eBible** mentions Saul being 30 years old when he became king, with a reign lasting for 42 years over Israel, referring to the scriptural verse 1 Samuel 13:1【209†(eBible)】. These various references together provide a comprehensive understanding of Saul’s age at the time of his ascension to the throne of Israel.
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How long did Saul reign? Explain the controversy surrounding how long he reigned.
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The length of King Saul’s reign has been a topic of debate due to inconsistencies and ambiguities in the biblical text. The main points of contention surround the interpretation of 1 Samuel 13:1 and the reference in Acts 13:21. Here are the key elements of the controversy:
1. **Hebrew Text Interpretation**: – 1 Samuel 13:1 is the primary source of the controversy. In the Hebrew text, it states, “Saul was one year old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel”【217†(Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange)】【218†(The Biblical Timeline)】. – However, this translation is generally regarded as problematic because it implies an improbable scenario where Saul begins his reign at the age of one. – The ambiguity arises from a textual issue where the original Hebrew manuscript might have been damaged or altered during transmission, leading to the present wording in the text【219†(Evidence for Christianity)】.
2. **Alternative Interpretations**: – Some interpretations suggest that the text may have originally stated the age of Saul at the beginning of his reign and the total length of his reign, but these numbers have been lost or altered over time【219†(Evidence for Christianity)】. – Due to this ambiguity, biblical commentators have proposed various lengths for Saul’s reign, with some suggesting a reign of 20 or 22 years based on contextual evidence from other parts of the Bible【220†(Wikipedia)】.
3. **Reference in Acts 13:21**: – In the New Testament, Acts 13:21 mentions that Saul reigned for 40 years. This reference is often used to argue for a longer reign of Saul, contrasting the brief reign suggested by 1 Samuel 13:1【221†(Claude Mariottini)】.
4. **Various Translations**: – Different translations of the Bible have rendered 1 Samuel 13:1 in various ways, attempting to reconcile the apparent inconsistency. Some translations, for instance, omit the age of Saul at his accession, while others try to provide a more plausible length for Saul’s reign【221†(Claude Mariottini)】. This controversy reflects the challenges faced by biblical scholars and translators in interpreting ancient texts, especially when the manuscripts have undergone numerous transmissions over centuries.
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How old was David when he became king?
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David became king at the age of thirty and his reign lasted for forty years, as consistently documented across various sources and biblical references:
1. **World History**: According to this source, David ascended to the throne at the age of thirty and reigned for forty years, with some estimates placing the date of his coronation around 1048 or 1011 BC. David was commissioned by God to be king either 15 or 22 years before his actual coronation【195†(source)】.
2. **GotQuestions**: This source also confirms that David was 30 years old when he became king and reigned for a period of 40 years, eventually passing away at the age of 70 or 71【196†(source)】.
3. **Never Thirsty**: This source cites 2 Samuel 5:4 (NASB) which states, “David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.” It also mentions the estimates regarding the time of David’s coronation around 1048 or 1011 BC【197†(source)】.
4. **Hermeneutics Stack Exchange**: Referring to 2 Samuel 5:4, 5, it’s noted that David was 30 years old when he became king, reigned over Judah in Hebron for 7 years and 6 months, and reigned for 33 years over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem, totaling a reign of 40 years【198†(source)】.
5. **Bible Hub**: The source provides the biblical reference from 2 Samuel 5:4, stating that David was thirty years old when he became king, and he ruled for 40 years【199†(source)】. These various references provide a comprehensive understanding of David’s age when he became king and the duration of his reign.
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How old was Solomon when he became king?
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Solomon, the son of King David, ascended to the throne of Israel at a young age, although the exact age is not clearly mentioned in the biblical text. It is often believed that Solomon was around 12 to 20 years old when he became king, based on various interpretations and analyses of the biblical text. His youth at the time of his ascension is often noted in discussions of his reign. The age of 12 is often cited based on traditional Jewish sources, while other interpretations might suggest he was older. Given your expertise in Biblical numbers and chronology, you might have a more precise understanding or interpretation of Solomon’s age based on a thorough analysis of the relevant biblical texts and related historical or chronological information.
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How old was Rehoboam, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, became the king of Judah after the death of his father. According to the biblical account in 1 Kings 14:21, Rehoboam was 41 years old when he began his reign. This is corroborated by the account in 2 Chronicles 12:13.
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How old was Abijah (son of Rehoboam), king of Judah, when Abijah became king?
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Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, became the king of Judah following the death of his father. However, the biblical text does not provide a specific age for Abijah at the time he ascended to the throne. Nonetheless, based on the information provided regarding the years of his reign and his birth year, we can make an educated estimate. Abijah’s reign as king of Judah is noted to have occurred around 913-911 BCE or 915-913 BCE【10†(Britannica)】【11†(GotQuestions.org)】. He was born around 950 BCE【20†(Wikipedia)】. Therefore, using the earliest estimated starting year of his reign (915 BCE) and his birth year, we can calculate that Abijah was about 35 years old when he became king (950 BCE – 915 BCE = 35).
On the other hand, using the latest estimated starting year of his reign (913 BCE), we can calculate that Abijah was about 37 years old when he became king (950 BCE – 913 BCE = 37). This age range (35-37) is an estimate based on the available data and the exact age may vary based on different interpretations of the historical or biblical timeline.
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How old was Asa, king of Judah, when he became king?
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The biblical text does not provide a specific age for Asa when he began his reign as the king of Judah. However, the timeline of his reign can be inferred from the biblical chronology. Asa’s reign commenced in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, and he reigned in Jerusalem for forty-one years, according to 1 Kings 15:9-10【26†(Bible Gateway)】. He is said to have reigned from around 908 to 867 BCE according to other sources【28†(Britannica)】. Without additional contextual information or a clear statement regarding Asa’s age at the time he became king, it’s challenging to determine his exact age when he ascended to the throne. Nonetheless, a thorough examination of the biblical text and any external historical or archaeological evidence might provide further insights into Asa’s age at the beginning of his reign.
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How old was Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Jehoshaphat became king of Judah at the age of thirty-five. This is consistently mentioned across various sources including biblical texts and historical analyses:
1. The biblical account in 1 Kings 22:42 states that “Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years”【37†(Bible Gateway)】.
2. A similar affirmation is found in another biblical resource, corroborating the age of Jehoshaphat at the time he assumed kingship【38†(Biblehub)】.
3. Furthermore, historical timelines also confirm Jehoshaphat’s age as thirty-five when he began his reign over Judah【39†(Amazing Bible Timeline)】.
4. In addition to these, a religious study resource also verifies Jehoshaphat’s age of thirty-five when he became king, succeeding his father, Asa【40†(Learn Religions)】.
5. Lastly, a question-and-answer biblical resource also affirms Jehoshaphat’s age of thirty-five at the commencement of his reign, which lasted twenty-five years from 873 to 848 BC【41†(GotQuestions.org)】. These multiple sources provide a clear and consistent confirmation of Jehoshaphat’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Jehoram, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, became king of Judah at the age of 32. This information is confirmed in various sources including the biblical text and historical references:
1. According to the biblical account in 2 Kings 8:17, Jehoram was 32 years old when he ascended to the throne of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eight years【50†(Bible Gateway)】.
2. Another source, Amazing Bible Timeline, also affirms that Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king, providing a consistent age across different references【47†(Amazing Bible Timeline)】.
3. GotQuestions.org also provides the same age for Jehoram at the time of his ascension to the throne, reiterating the age of 32 when he began to reign, and mentioning that he reigned for four years with his father and another eight years on his own in Judah【49†(GotQuestions.org)】.
4. Additionally, the EasyEnglish Bible, in its explanation of 2 Kings 8, corroborates Jehoram’s age of 32 when he became king, further emphasizing the consistent information across diverse sources【51†(EasyEnglish Bible)】. These multiple sources provide a clear and consistent confirmation of Jehoram’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Ahaziah, king of Judah, when he became king?
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The age of Ahaziah when he became king of Judah is a subject of discussion due to varying accounts in the biblical text. Here’s a breakdown of the information gathered from different sources:
1. **Twenty-Two Years Old**: – According to 2 Kings 8:26, Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king and reigned for one year in Jerusalem【59†(Wikipedia)】. – Another source corroborates this age, mentioning that Ahaziah began his reign over Judah at the age of twenty-two and reigned for one year in Jerusalem, with his reign dated to either 842 BC or 841/840 BC【57†(Ministry Samples)】. – A separate source also affirms the age of 22 when Ahaziah ascended to the throne, adding that he had other siblings but all of his brothers were killed by raiders while they were away from the palace【60†(Amazing Bible Timeline)】.
2. **Forty-Two Years Old**: – Contrary to the aforementioned references, 2 Chronicles 22:2 states that Ahaziah was 42 years old when he became king【59†(Wikipedia)】. – Another source provides a similar account, mentioning that Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, but it goes on to question this age, asking whether Ahaziah was 22 or 42 years old when he became king of Judah【58†(Answers in Genesis)】. – A different source discusses the difficulty surrounding Ahaziah’s age, stating that the age of forty-two years is impossible in light of 2 Chronicles 21:20, implying a contradiction or an error in the text【61†(Bible Sprout)】.
The consensus among most scholars is that the age of 42 mentioned in 2 Chronicles 22:2 is likely a copyist’s error and that Ahaziah was 22 years old when he became king, as stated in 2 Kings 8:26【59†(Wikipedia)】. This age is further supported by historical dating and other sources outside of the biblical text【57†(Ministry Samples)】. Nonetheless, the discrepancy between the two biblical accounts presents an interesting discussion point concerning the historical accuracy and the reliability of ancient texts.
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How old was Jehoash, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Jehoash, also known as Joash, became king of Judah at the tender age of seven. This information is consistently affirmed across various sources, as outlined below:
1. According to **Wikipedia**, Jehoash was 7 years old when his reign began, and he reigned for 40 years【67†(Wikipedia)】.
2. A **Bible Hub** reference to 2 Kings 11:21 states, “Jehoash was seven years old when he became king”【69†(Bible Hub – 2 Kings 11:21)】.
3. Another **Bible Hub** reference, this time to 2 Chronicles 24:1, provides the same information, stating, “Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years”【70†(Bible Hub – 2 Chronicles 24:1)】.
4. The information is further corroborated by another source on **Bible Hub**, which mentions that “Joash was only 7 years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled 40 years from Jerusalem”【68†(Bible Hub)】. The unanimous agreement among these sources provides a clear and reliable answer concerning Jehoash’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Amaziah, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Amaziah, who became the king of Judah following the reign of his father King Joash, ascended to the throne at the age of 25. This is confirmed by multiple sources as well as the biblical text:
1. According to the biblical account in 2 Chronicles 25:1, Amaziah was 25 years old when he began his reign, and he reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem【79†(2 Chronicles 25:1 – Bible Hub)】.
2. This information is corroborated by another source, which states that Amaziah was 25 years old when he took the throne and reigned for 29 years【78†(Amazing Bible Timeline)】.
3. Yet another source reaffirms that Amaziah was 25 years old when he became king and that he ruled for 29 years from Jerusalem【76†(Bible Hub)】.
4. A fourth source also confirms the age of Amaziah at 25 when he became king, additionally providing a broader narrative of his reign, including his actions against the assassins of his father and his military campaigns【80†(Bible Wiki)】.
5. Lastly, the same age is confirmed in a different translation of the biblical text, which states that Amaziah was 25 years old when he became king, ruling for 29 years in Jerusalem【77†(Bible Gateway)】. These multiple sources provide a clear and consistent understanding of Amaziah’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Uzziah, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Uzziah, who is also referred to as Azariah in the Biblical text, became the king of Judah at the age of 16. This is consistently affirmed across different sources as well as within the biblical text itself:
1. The book of 2 Chronicles 26:1, as cited by Wikipedia, states that Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king of Judah, and he reigned for a total of 52 years. The initial 24 years of his reign were as a co-regent alongside his father, Amaziah【86†(Wikipedia)】.
2. A similar affirmation is found on GotQuestions.org, which mentions that King Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, ruling for 52 years in Judah from approximately 790 to 739 BC. This source also notes the alternate name Azariah for Uzziah, as found in 2 Kings 14:21【87†(GotQuestions.org)】.
3. The Bible Hub’s reference to 2 Chronicles 26:3 also confirms that Uzziah became king at the age of sixteen and ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-two years【88†(Bible Hub – 2 Chronicles 26:3)】.
4. Lastly, Bible Gateway’s rendition of 2 Chronicles 26:1-3 reiterates the same information, noting that Uzziah, at sixteen years of age, was made king in place of his father Amaziah and reigned in Jerusalem for fifty-two years【89†(Bible Gateway – 2 Chronicles 26)】. These various sources provide a clear and consistent depiction of Uzziah’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Jotham, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Jotham ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of 25 and reigned for 16 years. This information is consistently affirmed across a variety of sources:
1. A snippet from **Wikipedia** states, “Jotham was 25 years old when he began his reign, and he reigned for 16 years”【95†(Wikipedia)】.
2. Another source, **SalvationCall**, also confirms that “King Jotham was 25 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem”【96†(SalvationCall)】.
3. The **Amazing Bible Timeline** similarly mentions that Jotham “was 25 years old when he took the throne and ruled Judah for 16 years”【97†(Amazing Bible Timeline)】.
4. On **GotQuestions.org**, it’s noted that “Jotham became king of Judah at age twenty-five and reigned for sixteen years, from 750 to 735 BC”【98†(GotQuestions.org)】.
5. The biblical account in **2 Chronicles 27:1**, as cited on Bible Gateway, provides a clear affirmation, stating, “Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years”【99†(Bible Gateway)】. These multiple sources provide a clear and consistent understanding of Jotham’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Ahaz, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Ahaz became king of Judah at the age of 20, as consistently affirmed across different sources:
1. **Wikipedia** mentions that Ahaz was 20 years old when he became the king of Judah and reigned for a total of 16 years. It’s also noted that Ahaz might have served as a co-regent with Jotham from 736/735 BC, with his sole reign beginning in 732/731 BC and ending in 716/715 BC【105†(Wikipedia)】.
2. **SalvationCall** confirms that Ahaz was twenty years old when he began his reign over Judah, which lasted for 16 years【106†(SalvationCall)】.
3. **GotQuestions.org** mentions that Ahaz became king at the age of 20 and initially reigned for 4 years alongside his father, Jotham, from 735 to 731 BC, before reigning on his own for an additional 16 years from 731 to 715 BC【107†(GotQuestions.org)】.
4. **Chabad.org** also reiterates that Ahaz was twenty years old when he succeeded his father Jotham to the throne of Judea, portraying Ahaz as a weak and idolatrous king【108†(Chabad.org)】.
5. The biblical account in **2 Chronicles 28:1** is cited as well, stating, “Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years”【109†(Bible Gateway)】. These various sources corroborate the age of Ahaz at the time he became king, providing a clear and consistent understanding of this historical event.
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How old was Hezekiah, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Hezekiah became king of Judah at the age of 25. This information is consistently affirmed across various sources, including:
1. **GotQuestions.org**, which mentions that Hezekiah began his reign over Judah at age 25, citing 2 Kings 18:2 as a reference【115†(GotQuestions.org)】.
2. **Christianity.com** also confirms Hezekiah’s age at the commencement of his reign as 25, basing this information on the biblical narrative【116†(Christianity.com)】.
3. **Bible Hub** quotes 2 Chronicles 29:1, which states, “Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became the king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years”【117†(Bible Hub)】.
4. **My Jewish Learning** reiterates that Hezekiah, the twelfth king of Judah, ascended to the throne at the age of 25, succeeding his father, Ahaz【118†(My Jewish Learning)】.
5. The **EasyEnglish Bible** translation of 2 Kings 18 also confirms that Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king and reigned in Jerusalem for 29 years【119†(EasyEnglish Bible)】. These sources collectively provide a clear and consistent understanding of Hezekiah’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Manasseh, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Manasseh was 12 years old when he ascended to the throne of Judah, following the death of his father, King Hezekiah. His reign lasted for 55 years, making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the history of Judah. Below are the confirmations from various sources:
1. **Britannica** states that Manasseh became king at the age of 12, reigning from approximately 686 to 642 BCE. His reign, although lengthy and peaceful, was marked by a return to idolatrous practices, which included various forms of pagan worship and even child sacrifice【125†(Britannica)】.
2. **The Amazing Bible Timeline** also notes that Manasseh was only 12 years old when he became king, taking over the throne after the death of his father, King Hezekiah, who was considered one of Judah’s greatest monarchs【126†(Amazing Bible Timeline)】.
3. A reference from **Bible Hub** to 2 Kings 21:1 confirms that “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem”【127†(Bible Hub – 2 Kings 21:1)】.
4. **Bible Gateway** also cites the same verse from 2 Kings, reiterating that Manasseh was 12 years old when he inherited the throne, with his reign in Jerusalem lasting 55 years【128†(Bible Gateway – 2 Kings 21)】.
5. A different verse from the Bible, 2 Chronicles 33:1, as cited on **Bible Gateway**, provides the same information about Manasseh’s age at ascension and the length of his reign【129†(Bible Gateway – 2 Chronicles 33)】. These various sources provide a clear and consistent understanding of Manasseh’s age when he became the king of Judah.
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How old was Amon, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Amon became king of Judah at the age of 22 and his reign lasted for two years. This information is consistently affirmed across various sources:
1. **Bible Gateway** provides a direct biblical reference, stating, “Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years”【135†(Bible Gateway)】.
2. **GotQuestions.org** also confirms that Amon was twenty-two years old when he began his rule, reigning for two years from 642–640 BC before he was assassinated【136†(GotQuestions.org)】.
3. **SalvationCall** mentions that King Amon began his reign in Jerusalem at the age of 22, reigning for two years as well【137†(SalvationCall)】.
4. **About Bible Prophecy** reiterates that Amon, the son of King Manasseh, became king of Judah at age 22, and his reign lasted for 2 years【138†(About Bible Prophecy)】.
5. A discussion on **Hermeneutics Stack Exchange** references 2 Kings 21:19, which states that Amon was 22 years old when he became king over Judah and reigned for only 2 years before being put to death【139†(Hermeneutics Stack Exchange)】. These multiple sources provide a clear and consistent understanding of Amon’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah.
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How old was Josiah, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Josiah became king of the Kingdom of Judah at the tender age of eight following the assassination of his father, King Amon. His reign lasted for 31 years, from 641/640 to 610/609 BCE. This information is corroborated by multiple sources:
1. **Wikipedia** states that Josiah ascended to the throne at age eight after his father’s assassination, reigning for 31 years from 641/640 to 610/609 BCE【145†(Wikipedia)】.
2. **Christianity.com** also notes that Josiah was only 8 years old when he became king of Judah, following a line of wicked kings, and later began to seek the Lord in the eighth year of his reign【146†(Christianity.com)】.
3. The **Amazing Bible Timeline** affirms that Josiah became king at age eight and ruled from the seventh century B.C., following the assassination of his father, King Amon, who had led the people of Judah astray【149†(Amazing Bible Timeline)】. Additionally, direct biblical references from **2 Kings 22:1** and **2 Chronicles 34:1** are cited in different sources, confirming Josiah’s age at the time of his ascension to the throne of Judah【147†(2 Kings 22:1 – Bible Hub)】【148†(2 Kings 22 NIV – Bible Gateway)】.
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How old was Jehoahaz, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Jehoahaz became the king of Judah at the age of 23, following the death of his father, King Josiah. His reign was notably brief, lasting for only three months, during which he was known to have “done evil in the eyes of the Lord,” akin to his predecessors. After this short reign, Jehoahaz was dethroned and subsequently imprisoned by Pharaoh Necho, who then placed Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim by Necho) on the throne. The ascension of Jehoahaz to the throne occurred in the summer of 609 BCE.
1. A passage from **2 Kings 23:31** cited on Bible Gateway states: “Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months”【155†(Bible Gateway)】.
2. The **Jewish Virtual Library** also notes that Jehoahaz was made king at the age of 23 in the summer of 609 BCE, following the demise of his father, King Josiah, in battle against Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo【157†(Jewish Virtual Library)】.
3. A similar account is provided on **Wikiwand**, where it’s mentioned that Jehoahaz began his rule at age 23 in 609 BC, ruling for 3 months in Jerusalem before being taken to Egypt by Pharaoh Necho, who then appointed another of Josiah’s sons as the new King of Judah【158†(Wikiwand)】. This consistency across multiple sources provides a clear and thorough understanding of Jehoahaz’s age when he ascended to the throne of Judah and the circumstances surrounding his brief reign.
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How old was Jehoiakim, king of Judah when he became king?
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Jehoiakim, originally named Eliakim, ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of 25, following the deposition of his younger brother Jehoahaz by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt. His reign lasted from 609 to 598 BCE. This information is consistently affirmed across various sources:
1. **New World Encyclopedia** mentions that Jehoiakim became king at age 25 and reigned between 609 and 598 BCE, succeeding his younger brother Jehoahaz who was deposed by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt【165†(New World Encyclopedia)】.
2. **Timeline of Humanity** also states that Jehoiakim became king at the age of 25 and reigned for 11 years, after Pharaoh Necho II deposed Jehoahaz and appointed Eliakim (later renamed Jehoiakim) as king【166†(Timeline of Humanity)】.
3. **Jewish Virtual Library** provides similar information, noting that Jehoiakim was 25 when he ascended the throne, having been selected likely due to his known support of a pro-Egyptian policy【167†(Jewish Virtual Library)】.
4. **Bible Gateway** cites 2 Chronicles 36:5-21, which states, “Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years”【168†(Bible Gateway – 2 Chronicles 36:5-21)】.
5. Additionally, another verse from the Bible, 2 Kings 23:36-37, as cited on **Bible Gateway**, provides the same information about Jehoiakim’s age at ascension and the length of his reign【169†(Bible Gateway – 2 Kings 23:36-37)】. These multiple sources collectively provide a clear and detailed understanding of Jehoiakim’s age when he became the king of Judah.
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How old was Jehoiachin, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Jehoiachin ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of 18, as corroborated by various sources:
1. **Britannica** mentions that Jehoiachin came to the throne at the age of 18 during the midst of the Chaldean invasion of Judah, with his reign lasting for three months【176†(Britannica)】.
2. The **Bible Archaeology Report** provides a reference from 2 Kings 24:8-9, stating that Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, reigning for three months in Jerusalem【177†(Bible Archaeology Report)】.
3. A biblical reference from **2 Chronicles 36:9** on Bible Gateway also mentions that Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, with his reign lasting for three months and ten days, during which he “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”【178†(Bible Gateway)】.
4. Similarly, **Bible Hub** provides the verse from 2 Chronicles 36:9, confirming that Jehoiachin was 18 years old at the time of his ascension, with his reign lasting for three months and ten days in Jerusalem【179†(Bible Hub)】. While there is a mention of a discrepancy in the biblical account regarding Jehoiachin’s age, with 2 Chronicles 36:9 in some translations stating that Jehoiachin was 8 years old, the consensus among various sources and the most accepted translation is that Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he became the king of Judah【175†(GotQuestions)】.
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How old was Zedekiah, king of Judah, when he became king?
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Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, was twenty-one years old when he ascended to the throne. His reign commenced in 597 BC and was marked by the overarching influence of Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonian king, who installed Zedekiah as the ruler of Judah. This information is well-documented across various sources:
1. According to the **Hebrew Bible**, Zedekiah was 21 years old when he was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar II in 597 BC【185†(Wikipedia)】.
2. A passage on **Bible Hub** corroborates this, stating that Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for eleven years【186†(Bible Hub)】.
3. **Chabad** also notes that Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he ascended to the throne of Judah in the year 3327 (as per the Hebrew calendar), highlighting the shaky political conditions of Judah during his reign【187†(Chabad)】.
4. **GotQuestions.org** further substantiates this information, indicating that Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king and ruled for 11 years, continuing the evil practices of his predecessors【188†(GotQuestions)】.
5. The **Jewish Virtual Library** adds that Zedekiah, the third son of Josiah, was 21 years old when he assumed the throne, marking the last reign before the Babylonian exile【189†(Jewish Virtual Library)】. These various sources collectively provide a clear and thorough understanding of Zedekiah’s age when he became the king of Judah, underlining the tumultuous political scenario of Judah during his reign.
References: 2 Kings 24:18; 2 Chronicles 36:11; Jeremiah 52:1