It can feel like certain forces are far too powerful for the people to take them on, but history has shown us that even the seemingly most powerful rulers can be destroyed by their own wickedness. Throughout the Bible, kings and rulers who abused their power, rejected divine authority, and oppressed others met dramatic ends—not at the hands of men, but by the judgment of God. Here are some of the most striking biblical accounts of kings who were destroyed due to their wickedness.
1. Pharaoh of Egypt – Swallowed by the Sea
Exodus 14:28-29
Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, defied God’s command through Moses to release the Israelites from slavery. After a series of plagues that devastated Egypt, he finally let them go—only to change his mind and pursue them with his army. At the Red Sea, as the Israelites passed through on dry land, Pharaoh and his army followed, only for the waters to collapse upon them, drowning them all. His downfall was a testament to divine power over human arrogance.
2. King Sihon of the Amorites & King Og of Bashan – Defeated in Battle
Deuteronomy 31:4
When the Israelites sought passage through the lands of King Sihon and King Og, both rulers refused and led their armies against them. Despite their military might, both kings were defeated by Israel under God’s command. Their destruction marked the beginning of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, proving that no earthly ruler could stand against divine will.
3. King Jeroboam – Struck Down by Judgment
1 Kings 14:10
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after it split from Judah. Instead of leading his people in worship of God, he built golden calves for them to worship, leading Israel into idolatry. As a result, the prophet Ahijah foretold the total destruction of his dynasty. His reign ended in ruin, his house wiped out, and his legacy remembered for its rebellion.
4. King Ahab – An Arrow to the Heart
1 Kings 22:34-38
King Ahab, one of Israel’s most infamous rulers, promoted Baal worship and allowed Queen Jezebel to execute prophets of God. He ignored warnings from the prophet Micaiah and went to war disguised in an attempt to escape fate. A stray arrow pierced his armor, and he died in his chariot, fulfilling the prophecy that dogs would lick his blood at the site of Naboth’s murder.
5. King Sennacherib of Assyria – Army Annihilated Overnight
2 Kings 19:35-37
Sennacherib, the powerful king of Assyria, mocked God and besieged Jerusalem. In response, God sent an angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night, forcing him to retreat in disgrace. Later, while worshiping his god in Nineveh, his own sons assassinated him, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of his demise.
6. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon – Driven to Madness
Daniel 4:28-37
Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the most powerful empire of his time, became consumed with pride, declaring that he built Babylon by his own strength. God humbled him, driving him into the wilderness to live as a wild beast, eating grass and losing his sanity for seven years. Only when he acknowledged God’s sovereignty was his kingdom restored.
7. King Belshazzar of Babylon – A Party Interrupted by Death
Daniel 5:1-31
Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, threw a grand feast using sacred vessels stolen from the Jewish temple, mocking God. In the middle of the celebration, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN” on the wall—a prophecy of his doom. That very night, the Persians invaded, and Belshazzar was killed. His empire fell in one swift motion.
8. King Herod Agrippa I – Devoured by Worms
Acts 12:21-23
Herod Agrippa I accepted worship from the people, allowing them to call him a god. Immediately, an angel struck him down, and he died in agony, being eaten by worms. His fate serves as a chilling warning against pride and self-deification.
Conclusion: A Warning to the Powerful
Each of these kings thought themselves untouchable, yet all were humbled, destroyed, or overthrown by God. Their stories remind us that earthly power is temporary, and no ruler is beyond divine judgment.
The rise and fall of these kings are not just ancient tales—they serve as a reminder that justice comes for the wicked, and no human force can stand against divine truth.
Purchase the artwork, Belshazzar’s Feast here.