King Zechariah is a figure mentioned briefly in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. He was one of the later kings of the northern kingdom of Israel during a turbulent time in the nation’s history. Here is an overview of what the Bible records about Zechariah:
Zechariah’s Reign
Zechariah ascended to the throne of Israel after the assassination of King Shallum. The Bible tells us in 2 Kings 15:10 that “Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against [King] Zechariah, assaulted him in public, executed him, and succeeded him as king.” So Zechariah’s reign was very brief, ended by assassination after only 6 months on the throne (2 Kings 15:8).
The exact dates of Zechariah’s reign are difficult to pinpoint. Based on the biblical chronology, scholars estimate he ruled around 753 BC. This was during a period of constant turnover in Israel’s monarchy. Zechariah was the fourth of six kings who reigned over the span of just 25 years (2 Kings 15:8-31).
Political Background
After the reign of Jeroboam II, who ruled for 41 years, the northern kingdom of Israel began a steady decline. None of the succeeding kings could establish a stable, lasting dynasty. Assyria was the rising world power of the day, threatening Israel’s borders. Internally, there were constant coups and conquests as military commanders vied for control.
Zechariah was not part of a dynastic line, but rather came from a lower social class. The Bible describes him as the “son of Jeroboam” but a different Jeroboam than the former king (2 Kings 15:8). His background as a commoner rather than royalty made it difficult for Zechariah to consolidate his power. After only six months, he was overthrown by Shallum son of Jabesh.
God’s Judgment
The author of 2 Kings interprets all of Israel’s political turmoil at this time as punishment from God for the nation’s idolatry and disregard of God’s ways. Several times in chapter 15, an evil king is said to have “done what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 15:9, 18, 24, 28). Zechariah is faulted in this way too, described as doing “what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done” (2 Kings 15:9).
So while Zechariah was a victim of assassination, the biblical author sees divine justice at work behind the scenes. Earlier prophets like Hosea and Amos had warned that continual sin would lead to judgment, and the chaos enveloping Israel was the fulfillment of those prophecies. The whole period from Jeroboam II’s death until the Assyrian conquest was a manifestation of God’s wrath upon idolatrous Israel.
Summary of Zechariah’s Life
In summary, here are a few key facts about King Zechariah’s life and reign:
- He succeeded Shallum as king of Israel, reigning for 6 months around 753 BC
- His reign was ended when he was assassinated by Shallum son of Jabesh
- Zechariah arose from a lower class background, not a royal dynasty
- His reign occurred during a turbulent period in Israelite history
- He continued the idolatrous practices of previous evil kings
- His death demonstrated God’s judgment on the nation’s sin
So while Zechariah occupied the throne of Israel for only a short time, his life illustrates several themes found throughout Scripture. God expects His people to follow Him faithfully and punishes sin. Leaders face stricter judgment. And politics alone cannot save a nation whose fundamental problem is spiritual rebellion against God.
Zechariah’s Potential Identity
There is some ambiguity about Zechariah’s family background that has led to debate about whether this Zechariah was the same person as the previous king, Zechariah son of Jeroboam II. The key verse is 2 Kings 15:8 which says Zechariah was the “son of Jeroboam” but does not specify which Jeroboam. Here are the main possibilities:
- Jeroboam II – Some scholars believe Zechariah was the son of Israel’s powerful and long-reigning King Jeroboam II. In this case, Zechariah would have been part of a royal dynasty. But the biblical text does not make this clear.
- Jeroboam I – If Zechariah was the son of the first King Jeroboam (Jeroboam I) who led the revolt against Solomon’s son Rehoboam, then he was likely not part of the royal house of Israel. This fits the biblical description of his relatively humble background.
- Another Jeroboam – He may have been the son of an otherwise unknown Jeroboam who was not part of the royal lineage.
Most modern scholars lean towards the second view – that this Zechariah was probably not the son of Jeroboam II but a different Jeroboam. Frankly, the Bible does not provide enough evidence to be dogmatic. Either way, Zechariah only ruled briefly before his assassination after six months.
Prophecies About Zechariah’s Death
The violent death of Zechariah was foretold symbolically by a couple prophets centuries earlier:
- Isaiah – In Isaiah 7-8, the prophet refers cryptically to “the son of Remaliah” (meaning King Pekah, one of the assassins) defeating an enemy named “the son of Tabeel.” This seems to foreshadow Pekah’s overthrow of Zechariah.
- Amos – More specifically, Amos 7:9 speaks of God judging “the high places of Isaac” and the sanctuaries of Israel with “the sword.” This prophecy was strikingly fulfilled when Zechariah was killed by the sword at the royal palace.
So while Zechariah’s reign and death were largely political, God’s hand was involved in bringing about His intended judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. The prophets recognized this theological significance even hundreds of years prior.
Lessons From Zechariah’s Life
What can we learn from this brief snapshot of an obscure king’s life?
- God is sovereign – Even amidst political turmoil, God is on His throne working out His purposes.
- Sin has consequences – Zechariah continued in idolatry and disobedience, contributing to Israel’s judgment.
- Leaders are accountable – Kings face stricter judgment for using power to promote evil.
- Only God saves – Politics and military strength cannot save a nation ensnared in sin. Israel needed revival.
- Fulfilled prophecy – God’s word through Isaiah and Amos was vindicated in Zechariah’s death.
So this obscure king illustrates God’s faithfulness, humanity’s sinfulness, and the value of heeding prophecy. For a man who ruled only six months, Zechariah packs some theological punch!
Zechariah in Biblical Literature
There are only a few direct references to King Zechariah in the Bible, all in the historical literature of the Old Testament. Two parallel accounts describe his reign:
- 2 Kings 15:8-12 – Israel’s king for six months before his assassination
- 2 Chronicles 26:1-4 – Brief mention of his reign and death
In addition, the prophet Hosea seems to refer to Zechariah’s death when he condemns the rulers of Israel who gained power through murder and assassination (Hosea 7:3-7). So while he is not mentioned frequently, Zechariah’s sad story contributed to prophetic preaching about corrupt leadership.
Extrabiblical Sources
There are no undisputed references to Zechariah outside the Bible. Some scholars think he might possibly be mentioned in the ancient Annals of Tiglath-Pileser III under the name “Azariah.” But this proposed connection is very uncertain. The Assyrian records have fragmentary references to various kings of Israel, but none can be positively identified with Zechariah. So Scripture provides the only clear descriptions of his life and reign.
Significance For Today
Christians today can learn a number of lessons from Zechariah’s legacy:
- The danger of spiritual compromise – Zechariah’s idolatry contributed to Israel’s downfall.
- Accountability for leaders – Those in power face stricter judgment.
- The wisdom of obeying prophecy – Amos and Isaiah predicted disaster for disobedient Israel.
- God’s sovereignty in human affairs – Despite political chaos, God’s purposes prevailed.
- The wages of sin – Zechariah’s death illustrated the cost of covenant betrayal.
Even this obscure history demonstrates timeless spiritual truths. As Augustine said, the God of Scripture is ever ancient, ever new. By learning from Zechariah and other ancient kings, Christians today can live more faithfully and anticipate Christ’s eternal kingdom.
