Chapter 6, Lesson 2

The Israelite Kingdom

Early Kings►By 1100 B.C., the Israelites had settled

much of the land of Canaan.►Created a prosperous culture.

Created an alphabet and calendar based on Canaanite ideas.

►The Philistines remained a powerful enemy. When they moved inland from the

Mediterranean Sea, conflict began with the Israelites.

The Israelites wanted a king to unite the Twelve Tribes and lead them against the Philistines.

Saul: The First King►According to the Hebrew Bible, the

Israelites asked the judge Samuel to choose a king. He warned against it claiming a king

would tax and enslave them. Despite this, they still demanded a king so

Samuel chose a young man names Saul.►Samuel anointed Saul as king, pouring

holy oil on him to show that God has blessed him.

Saul: The First King►Under Saul’s leadership, the Israelites

won many battles against the Philistines. Each victory brought him greater fame.

►Despite this in time Saul would lose support. According to the Hebrew Bible, he

disobeyed many of God’s commands. God would request Samuel to choose and

anoint another king and would choose a young shepherd named David.

King David►Even before he became king, David

won praise for his bravery.►The Hebrew Bible tells a story over his

victory of Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior. Goliath dared any Israelite to fight him on-

on-one, bragging he would not lose. David stepped up, with only a shepherd

staff, a slingshot, and five smooth stones. Goliath charged at David with a spear and

was struck in the forehead with one stone and dropped dead.

King David►King Saul was impressed by David’s

skill, and placed his army under David’s control.

►As he won more battles women sang his praises: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David

his tens of thousands.”►Saul was taken by jealousy and tried

to kill David. David escaped and after Saul was killed

by the Philistines in battle, he returned to be king.

King David►Once in power, David united the

Israelite tribes. David would finally defeat the Philistines. He then established the capital for the

Israelites in a city known as Jerusalem built in the hill country away from the coast.

►David was belied to have been a great poet and musician. Possibly wrote many of the sacred songs

found in the Hebrew Bible’s book of Psalms also found in the Christian Bible.

King David►Under David’s rule, the Israelites

enjoyed prosperous times.►Farmers cultivated the tough dry land,

by building terraces on the steep hillsides. Terrace fields are strips of land cut out of

the kill side like stair steps and served the purpose of preventing soil from washing down the hill when it rained.

King David►After David’s death his son would

become the new king around 970 B.C. Through trades and treaties he brought a

long period of peace to the region.►He constructed many cities, as well as

the first temple in Jerusalem according to the Hebrew Bible. Known as Solomon’s Temple, or the First

Temple. Held many sacred objects such as the Ark

of the Covenant.

King David►Solomon was also well known for his

wisdom. Believed to be the author of proverbs

(wise sayings) recorded in the Hebrew Bible.

Shared this proverbs in hopes of helping his people:►“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

►Despite this accomplishment, the Israelites turned against him. Did not enjoy paying high taxes or

working on his building projects.

King David►After Solomon’s death in 922 B.C., The

Israelites hit troubled times. Deep disagreements would split their

kingdom in two and powerful neighbors threatened their survival.

Two Kingdoms►After Solomon’s death the 10 northern

tribes rebelled against Jerusalem. They founded a separate kingdom known

as Israel, with the capital Samaria. The two tribes in the south founded a

smaller kingdom known as Judah, with the capital Jerusalem.

►Although split politically, the people of Israel and Judah preserved the Israelite Kingdom.

Two Kingdoms►During this time, large empires formed

surrounding Israel and Judah. The Assyrians and the Chaldeans built

powerful empires and their rulers wanted to control the trade routes through the Israelite Kingdoms.

Israel and Judah felt threatened by their new neighbors.

The Fall of Israel►The Assyrians spread fear throughout

the region and would force the conquered people to pay tributes. Refusal to pay resulted in destroyed

towns, burnt estates, and the taking of anything valuable.

Afterwards, they forced these people to move into different areas and start all over again.

►Israel refused to pay tribute and as a result was invaded in 722 B.C. They captured many major cities including

the capital at Samaria seeking absolute control.

The Fall of Israel►They forced some Israelites to resettle

in in the Assyrian Empire. They then brought people from other

parts of their empire to live in Israel.►These people would mix with the

Israelites and a new culture developed.

►These people were known as Samaritans and adopted many of the Israelites religious beliefs. Worshipped the God of Israel, read the

Torah, and followed their religious laws.

The Fall of Israel►The Samaritans adopted religious

practices that the Israelites did not like. As time went on, they would begin to

have less in common with each other. The Judaism of today developed from the

religious practices of preserved mainly in the kingdom of Judah.

The Fall of Judah►The people in Judah survived the

Assyrian conquest but freedom did not last. The Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar

forced many people (thousands) to live in Babylon.

He also chose a new king, a Judean, to rule Judah.

►At first, Judah’s king did what he was told but he secretly planned to free Judah. He was warned by a prophet named

Jeremiah not to rebel but he did not listen.

The Fall of Judah►The Chaldeans would retake Jerusalem

in 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar leveled Jerusalem to the

ground destroying the temple, capturing the king, and forcing them all to go to Babylon.

This time was known as the Babylonian Exile (forced absence from one’s home or country).

What was the Prophets Message?► Prophets were important to Judean life as they

provided words of hope during times of despair. At other times, they explained the people were

not obeying God, urging people to change their ways and make the world a better place.

► The prophet Amos once said, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” Meaning: All people should work for a just society

in which everyone is equal.► Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would quote this line in his

“I Have a Dream” speech.► The goals of a just society would later become the

goal of Christianity and Islam. Jewish people also stressed that leading a moral

life and helping others connect with God.