Who was King Shallum in the Bible?

Two Kings Named Shallum

The Bible mentions more than one man named Shallum. Because of this, it is important to identify which Shallum is being discussed.

There are two notable men named Shallum who were connected with kingship.

The first was Shallum, king of Israel, mentioned in 2 Kings 15:13-15. He assassinated King Zechariah of Israel and took the throne. However, his reign lasted only one month before he was killed by Menahem.

The second was Shallum, king of Judah, also known as Jehoahaz. He was the son of King Josiah and ruled Judah for only three months before Pharaoh Necho removed him from the throne and took him captive to Egypt.

This article will focus mainly on Shallum of Judah, also called Jehoahaz, while briefly mentioning Shallum of Israel for historical context.

Shallum, King Of Israel

Shallum of Israel appears in the history of the northern kingdom. The Bible says, “Shallum the son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria” 2 Kings 15:13.

His rise to power came through violence. He conspired against Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, struck him down, and reigned in his place 2 Kings 15:10.

But his rule did not last. After only one month, Menahem came from Tirzah, attacked Shallum, killed him, and took the throne 2 Kings 15:14.

This Shallum is remembered as an assassin-king whose reign was extremely short. His story reflects the instability and violence that marked the later years of the northern kingdom of Israel.

But the more commonly discussed King Shallum is the king of Judah known also as Jehoahaz.

Shallum, Also Called Jehoahaz

Shallum of Judah is identified in Jeremiah 22:11 as the son of Josiah. He is also called Jehoahaz in “2 Kings 23” and “2 Chronicles 36.”

Jeremiah wrote, “For thus says the Lord concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father” Jeremiah 22:11.

This shows that Shallum and Jehoahaz refer to the same king. He was one of the sons of Josiah, one of the most faithful kings Judah ever had.

Josiah was known for his reforms, his love for God’s law, and his efforts to turn Judah away from idolatry. Sadly, Shallum did not follow his father’s faithful example.

After Josiah died, the people of the land made Shallum king. Scripture says, “Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem” 2 Chronicles 36:1.

Although he came from a godly family, Shallum did not walk in the ways of the Lord.

The Death Of Josiah

To understand Shallum’s rise to the throne, we must look at the death of his father, King Josiah.

Josiah died after going out to meet Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. Necho was moving north to fight near the Euphrates, but Josiah opposed him. The result was tragic. Josiah was wounded at Megiddo and later died in Jerusalem 2 Chronicles 35:20-24.

His death was a devastating moment for Judah. Josiah had led the nation in spiritual reform, and his passing marked the beginning of Judah’s final decline before the Babylonian captivity.

After Josiah’s death, the people chose Jehoahaz, or Shallum, as king. He was twenty-three years old when he began to reign.

The Bible says, “Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem” 2 Kings 23:31.

His reign began with popular support, but it ended quickly in humiliation and exile.

His Short Reign

Shallum’s reign lasted only three months. Though his time on the throne was brief, the Bible gives a clear moral evaluation of his rule.

Second Kings says, “And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done” 2 Kings 23:32.

This is sad because Shallum’s father, Josiah, had done what was right in God’s sight. But Shallum followed the wicked pattern of Judah’s earlier unfaithful kings rather than the godly example of his father.

The Bible does not give many details about his specific sins. But the phrase “he did evil in the sight of the Lord” often points to idolatry, injustice, rebellion, and failure to lead the people in obedience to God.

His reign was brief, but it was long enough to reveal the direction of his heart.

A godly heritage did not make him righteous. He had to choose faithfulness for himself, and he did not.

Pharaoh Necho Removes Him

During this time, Egypt was a major political power in the region. Pharaoh Necho had already been involved in the events surrounding Josiah’s death. After Shallum became king, Necho intervened in Judah’s government.

The Bible says, “Now the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold” 2 Chronicles 36:3.

Pharaoh Necho removed Shallum from power and placed his brother Eliakim on the throne. Necho then changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim.

Second Kings records, “Then Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and changed his name to Jehoiakim” 2 Kings 23:34.

This showed Egypt’s dominance over Judah. Judah was no longer politically free. Its king could be removed and replaced by a foreign ruler.

Shallum’s reign ended not with honor, but with defeat.

Taken Captive To Egypt

After removing Shallum from the throne, Pharaoh Necho took him captive to Egypt. The Bible says, “And Pharaoh took Jehoahaz and went to Egypt, and he died there” 2 Kings 23:34.

This fulfilled the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah. The prophet declared that Shallum would not return to Judah.

Jeremiah wrote, “He shall not return here anymore, but he shall die in the place where they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more” Jeremiah 22:11-12.

This was a solemn judgment. Shallum had briefly sat on David’s throne in Jerusalem, but he would never see his homeland again. He died in Egypt as a captive king.

His story is tragic. He began as the people’s choice, but he ended as a prisoner in a foreign land.

His downfall reminds us that leadership without obedience to God cannot stand.

Why Did Shallum Fall So Quickly?

Shallum fell quickly for both spiritual and political reasons.

Spiritually, he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not follow the reforms of Josiah. He did not lead Judah in faithfulness. He had the privilege of a godly father, but he chose a wicked path.

Politically, he was weak in a time of international crisis. Judah was caught between powerful empires, especially Egypt and Babylon. Shallum did not have the strength, wisdom, or divine favor needed to stand in such a dangerous time.

But the deeper issue was spiritual. The Bible consistently shows that the strength of a nation is not found merely in armies, alliances, or rulers. It is found in faithfulness to God.

Proverbs says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” Proverbs 14:34.

Shallum’s short reign showed the weakness of a leader who lacked righteousness. His fall was a warning that Judah’s spiritual decline would bring national disaster.

Godly Heritage Is Not Enough

One of the clearest lessons from Shallum’s life is that godly heritage does not guarantee godly character.

Shallum was the son of Josiah, a faithful king who loved God’s law. Josiah led one of the greatest revivals in Judah’s history. He repaired the temple, rediscovered the Book of the Law, removed idolatry, and renewed the covenant with the Lord.

Yet Shallum did not follow his father’s path. The Bible says he did evil.

This teaches that every person must choose God personally. No one is saved by a parent’s faith, a family name, a religious background, or a godly environment.

Ezekiel wrote, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son” Ezekiel 18:20.

Each person is responsible before God. A righteous father does not automatically make a righteous son. Every generation must decide whether it will obey the Lord.

Leadership Carries Responsibility

Shallum’s story also teaches that leadership carries great responsibility. A king’s choices affect not only himself but also the people he leads.

When a ruler rejects God, the people often suffer. When leaders promote wickedness, injustice, idolatry, or pride, they bring harm upon the nation.

Psalm 75 says, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south” Psalm 75:6. It continues, “But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another” Psalm 75:7.

God sees rulers. He knows their hearts. He holds them accountable.

Shallum’s throne lasted only three months because God allowed him to be removed. His position did not protect him from judgment.

This is a warning to every leader, whether in government, church, family, or business. Authority should be exercised in humility, justice, and obedience to God.

Worldly Power Cannot Save

Shallum’s removal by Pharaoh Necho also shows the danger of trusting worldly power. Judah was surrounded by strong nations, and its kings often looked to political alliances for security.

But the Bible warns against trusting in human power instead of God. Isaiah wrote, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help… but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” Isaiah 31:1.

Egypt could not save Judah. In Shallum’s case, Egypt became the power that removed him and carried him away captive.

Psalm 118 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” Psalm 118:8. It adds, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” Psalm 118:9.

Worldly strength may appear impressive, but it is unstable. God alone is trustworthy.

Shallum’s story reminds us not to build our hope on politics, power, popularity, or human alliances. Our confidence must be in the Lord.

A Warning Before Judah’s Captivity

Shallum’s brief reign was part of Judah’s final decline before the Babylonian captivity. After him, Jehoiakim ruled under Egyptian influence and later Babylonian pressure. Then Jehoiachin and Zedekiah followed. Eventually, Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken to Babylon.

Shallum’s removal was a warning sign. Judah was losing its independence because it had turned away from God.

The Lord had sent prophets again and again, calling the nation to repent. But the people and many of their leaders continued in rebellion.

Second Chronicles later says, “And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them” 2 Chronicles 36:15. But they mocked the messengers and rejected the prophets until judgment came 2 Chronicles 36:16.

Shallum’s life fits into this larger picture. His downfall was not an isolated event. It was part of Judah’s spiritual collapse.

Lessons From King Shallum

There are several important lessons from the life of King Shallum.

First, a person must choose God personally. Shallum had a righteous father, but he did not follow the Lord. Faith cannot be inherited automatically.

Second, sin brings consequences. Shallum did evil in God’s sight, and his reign was cut short. God is patient, but He is also just.

Third, leadership matters. Those who lead others should do so with reverence for God, because their choices influence many lives.

Fourth, human power cannot replace divine protection. Shallum could not save himself from Pharaoh Necho, and Egypt did not become Judah’s deliverer.

Fifth, God’s word always comes to pass. Jeremiah said Shallum would die in captivity and never return to Judah, and that is exactly what happened.

His story is short, but its message is powerful. A life without obedience to God can fall quickly, no matter how promising it appears at first.