Solomon’s idolatry and his son’s recklessness result in a division of God’s people (1 Kings 11). The sons of David and Solomon rule over Judah and Benjamin, while various others rule over the ten tribes collectively called Israel. Again, the rulers are virtually all men as seen in the following lists:
Rulers of Judah: Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.
Rulers of Israel: Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah and Hoshea.
In these lists, the one exception is Athaliah who “destroyed all the royal family of the house of Judah” (2 Chronicles 22:10). She craves power so much that she kills her own grandchildren—all except Joash. He is rescued by the brave princess Jehosheba (2 Kings 11:2; 2 Chronicles 22:11). Eventually Joash and the high priest Jehoiada and loyalists overthrow Athaliah, and the pattern of male leadership resumes.