THE ANCIENT HEBREWS

Lesson 3: Changes for Israel

Israel and Judah

Tribes in Northern Israel didn’t like King Solomon

thought he gave special treatment to Judah

(didn’t have taxes or forced labor)

Rehoboam king when S. died

N. Israel asked for no taxes or forced labor, King R. refused and decided to treat more harshly

N.Israel rebelled and split offN. Israel kept name Israel and made capital Samria

Israel and Judah

Only Judah and Benjamin tribes stayed loyal to King R.

Called kingdom Judah (where term Jewish came from) and their capital was Jerusalem

200 years, 2 kingdoms – united in religious beliefs, but often fought

Judah was small but string kingdom – all kings from House of David (helped keep government stable)

Israel had more people – 10 tribes often fought. Also, many poor people

Israel Falls to Assyrians

Assyrians – fierce warriors from Mesopotamia

722BC A. conquered Israel

A. 2 step plan for controlling captured territories 1. Forced conquered people to leave2. Brought in Assyrians

Many Israelites had to leave land – lost contact with Judah and those who remained= “lost tribes of Israel”

Assyrians settled in Samaria – mixed with Israelites who stayed (Samaritans)

Judah Remains Independent

Assyrians tried to take over Judah

King Hezekiah of Judah helped keep A. out of Jerusalem

J. was walled city, so people surrounded – trapped.

King H. ordered tunnel built to get water into city

Remained independent for almost 100 years