The Kingdom of Israel Israelites Choose a

The Kingdom of Israel

Israelites Choose a King • Around 1000 BC, the Philistines were the strongest group living in Canaan.

Israelites Choose a King • The 12 tribes often fought with each other – The decided they needed a king to unite them • This would help them fight the Philistines

The Rule of King Saul • The Israelites asked Samuel, a prophet (someone instructed by God), to pick a king • He chose a warrior named Saul • He won many battles

The Rule of King Saul • According to the Bible, Saul displeased God by not keeping his commandments – God instructed Samuel to anoint a new king in secret; David (David and Goliath)

The Rule of King Saul • David’s fame as a warrior caused Saul to put David in charge of the army – Saul eventually grew jealous of David, and plotted to kill him

The Rule of King David • David hid until Saul and his sons were killed in battle – He took the throne about 1000 BC • David then drove the Philistines from Canaan

The Rule of King David • David created an empire – A nation that rules several other nations • Conquered people had to pay tribute to the Israelites – Money or slaves given to a stronger ruler

The Rule of King David • David made Jerusalem the new capital of Canaan • He is remembered as the greatest Israelite king.

The Rule of King Solomon • Solomon was David’s son • He built a stone temple that became a symbol and center for Jewish religion

The Rule of King Solomon • Solomon was known for his wise sayings, or proverbs • Many Israelites hated him because of his heavy taxes

The Rule of King Solomon • Fighting broke out when he died – Resulted in 10 of the 12 tribes setting up their own nation (kingdom of Israel) – The other 2 founded the kingdom of Judah • Its people were the Jews

A Troubled Time • The Assyrians and Chaldeans were getting very strong in southwest Asia – They wanted access to the trade routes that ran through the Israelite kingdoms

What Caused the Fall of Israel? • 722 BC the Assyrians conquered Israel and scattered the 10 tribes across their empire – They lost their religion (“the lost tribes of Israel”)

Why did Judah Fall? • The Egyptians conquered Judah in 620 BC • In 605 BC the Chaldeans conquered Egypt – became the new rulers of Judah

Why did Judah Fall? • The Jews united with the Egyptians to rebel against the Chaldeans but ultimately failed – The Chaldean ruler, bound the Jews and took them to Babylon