Zechariah

28The other things Jeroboam did are written down. So is how strong he was, and how he fought his wars. He also took back Damascus and Hamath for Israel. You can read it in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

29Jeroboam slept with his fathers, the kings of Israel. His son Zechariah became king after him.

And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.

8Azariah had been king of Judah for 38 years. Then Zachariah, son of Jeroboam, became king of Israel. He ruled in the city of Samaria for six months.

In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

NoteSamaria was the capital city of Israel, in the north. Jerusalem was the capital city of Judah, in the south.

9He did what was evil in the LORD's eyes, like his fathers had. He kept doing the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Jeroboam had led Israel into those sins.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

NoteJeroboam son of Nebat was Israel's very first king after the split. He made two golden calves for people to bow down to. Every king after him kept those calves. That is what "the sins of Jeroboam" means.

10Shallum son of Jabesh made a secret plan against him. He struck Zachariah down in front of the people and killed him. Then Shallum became king instead.

And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead.

NoteIsrael's kings were often killed by someone who wanted the throne. Zachariah was king for only six months.

11The other things Zachariah did are written down. They are in the book called the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

12This was what the LORD had told Jehu long before. He said, "Your sons will sit on Israel's throne for four generations." And that is what happened.

This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.

NoteJehu was a king of Israel long before this. God had promised him that his family would rule for four more turns: his son, his grandson, and so on. Zachariah was the last of them.