Rebellion

The Bible records many rebellions. Many were against God’s chosen leaders. They were doomed for failure. Others were begun by wicked men against wicked men. While these were sometimes successful, the rebel’s life usually came to a violent end. Still other rebellions were made by good people against the wicked or unjust actions of others. This kind of rebellion is sometimes good in freeing the common people from oppression and giving them the freedom to turn back to God.

Who rebelled?

Whom they rebelled against

What happened

Reference

Adam and Eve

God

Expelled from Eden

Genesis 3

Israelites

God, Moses

Forced to wander in wilderness for 40 years

Numbers 14

Korah

Moses

Swallowed by the earth

Numbers 16

Israelites

God

God took away his special promise of protection

Judges 2

Absalom
(David's son)

David

Killed in battle

2 Samuel 15-18

Sheba

David

Killed in battle

2 Samuel 20

Adonijah
(David's son)

David, Solomon

Killed for treason

1 Kings 1, 2

Joab

David, Solomon

Supported Adonijah's kingship without seeking God's choice. Killed for treason

1 Kings 1, 2

Ten tribes of Israel

Rehoboam

The kingdom was divided. The 10 tribes forgot about God, sinned, and were eventually taken into captivity

1 Kings 12:16-20

Baasha,
king of Israel

Nadab king of Israel

Overthrew the throne and became king. God destroyed his descendants

1 Kings 15:27-16:7

Zimri,
king of Israel

Elah king of Israel

Overthrew the throne, but killed himself when his rule was not accepted

1 Kings 16:9-16

Jehu,
king of Israel

Joram king of Israel

Ahaziah king of Judah

Killed both kings. Later turned from God and his dynasty was wiped out

2 Kings 9, 10

Joash,
king of Judah

Jehoiada,
a priest

Athaliah queen of Judah

Athaliah, a wicked queen, was overthrown.

This was a "good" rebellion

2 Kings 11

Shallum,
king of Israel

Zechariah king of Israel

Overthrew the throne, but then was assassinated

2 Kings 15:8-15

Menahem,
king of Israel

Shallum king of Israel

Overthrew the throne, but then was invaded by Assyrian army

2 Kings 15:16-22

Hoshea,
king of Israel

Assyria

The city of Samaria was destroyed, the nation of Israel taken into captivity

2 Kings 17

Zedekiah,
king of Judah

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

The city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the nation of Judah taken into captivity

2 Kings 24, 25