Semerkhet came to the throne after Anedjib, whose legitimacy as king has been questioned. Semerkhet himself is not recorded in all the extant king lists, evidence perhaps of the uncertainties which attended the latter years of the dynasty.

An important document from Semerkhet's reign is an ivory label containing his name which is associated with one of his high officials, Henuka. It records a ceremony related to the worship of "The Great White', a baboon god.

Semerkhet was succeeded by the last king of the First Dynasty, Ka'a, who was probably his son.