The Kingdom of Israel
After first settling in Canaan, the Israelites expanded north and south. The judges occasionally pulled together the widely scattered troops for a united military effort.
From 1020 to 922 BCE, the Israelites united under three able kings. The new kingdom called Israel would enjoy its greatest period of power and independence for nearly a century.
King Saul
Saul was the first of three kings chosen largely for his success in driving out the Philistines, another people in the area who threated Israel. Despite his leadership, the Hebrew Bible paints the picture of a man filled with jealousy. Following his death, he was succeeded by his son-in-law.
King David
King David came to be an extremely popular leader whose reign has later been looked back upon as the golden era. He united the scattered tribes, established Jerusalem as the capital, and founded a dynasty.
After first settling in Canaan, the Israelites expanded north and south. The judges occasionally pulled together the widely scattered troops for a united military effort.
From 1020 to 922 BCE, the Israelites united under three able kings. The new kingdom called Israel would enjoy its greatest period of power and independence for nearly a century.
King Saul
Saul was the first of three kings chosen largely for his success in driving out the Philistines, another people in the area who threated Israel. Despite his leadership, the Hebrew Bible paints the picture of a man filled with jealousy. Following his death, he was succeeded by his son-in-law.
King David
King David came to be an extremely popular leader whose reign has later been looked back upon as the golden era. He united the scattered tribes, established Jerusalem as the capital, and founded a dynasty.
King Solomon
In roughly 962 BCE, David was succeeded by his son, Solomon. Solomon became the most powerful of the Israelite kings. He established a trading empire and beautified the city of Jerusalem. Most notably, Solomon arranged the building of a great temple to glorify God. This temple would become the permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant which contained the tablets of Moses’ Ten Commandments. Solomon also constructed a royal palace that was more expensive than the magnificent temple. As a result, high taxes badly strained the kingdom’s finances. The required labor and expenses created frustration.
Following Solomon’s death, the Jews in the northern part of the kingdom revolted. By 922 BCE, the kingdom had divided into two. Israel was in the North and Judah was in the South.
In roughly 962 BCE, David was succeeded by his son, Solomon. Solomon became the most powerful of the Israelite kings. He established a trading empire and beautified the city of Jerusalem. Most notably, Solomon arranged the building of a great temple to glorify God. This temple would become the permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant which contained the tablets of Moses’ Ten Commandments. Solomon also constructed a royal palace that was more expensive than the magnificent temple. As a result, high taxes badly strained the kingdom’s finances. The required labor and expenses created frustration.
Following Solomon’s death, the Jews in the northern part of the kingdom revolted. By 922 BCE, the kingdom had divided into two. Israel was in the North and Judah was in the South.