The Chronological Chaos of Yotam's Reign

Yotam came to the throne in 759 BC and spent a happy fifteen years there, until his death in 744 BC. It is with the dating of Yotam's reign that scholars disagree most passionately. His accession is placed anywhere between 759 and 740 BC, and his death anywhere between 744 and 732 BC. Perhaps he reigned for seven years, or 16. Let us recount the final sad twenty-five years of Israel's history. Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king over Israel in Samaria, for six months. He did what was displeasing to the Lord, as his fathers had done. Shalom conspired against him