04.1.4. Preface To Section II

SECTION II - SPIRITUAL DECLINE WAS EMPHASIZED FROM DAVID TO BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY Chapter 4 - PREFACE TO SECTION II The second division of the generations of Jesus Christ is portrayed as the decline of Israel. God’s ordained form of government was a theocracy. Therefore, Israel’s decline began with her demand for a king and concluded with the Babylonian captivity.

During the declining years of Israel’s history, David, Solomon, and Rehoboam reigned over Israel. The kingdom was divided into the northern (Israel) and the southern (Judah) kingdoms under Rehoboam. Subsequent to Rehoboam, there was not one good king in Israel (the northern kingdom). However, among the kings of Judah (the southern kingdom), there were eight good kings, four of whom are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The last three kings of Judah—Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah—did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 23:37; 2 Kings 24:9; 2 Kings 24:19).