Kingdom of Israel

The Kingdom of Israel (Hebrew: מַלְכוּת יִשְׂרָאֵל, Standard Hebrew Malkut Yisrael) was the Kingdom proclaimed by the Israelite nation around 1030-1020 B.C.E., enduring until the Assyrian invasion around 681 B.C.E.

Traditionally, the nation of Israel was formed as the Israelites left Egypt during the Exodus at an uncertain date, often considered to be in the late 13th century B.C.E. An alternative theory based on recent archaelogical evidence suggests a more gradual evolution of the national identity as semi-nomadic Canaanite clans affiliated to become the nation of Israel. There are no extra-biblical reference to any of the leaders of the United Kingdom of Saul, David, and Solomon. Our primary source for the history of the Kingdom of Israel is the biblical books of Samuel, Chronicles, and especially Kings, together with occasional historical references in other biblical books. However, beginning with Jeroboam I of Israel, several nieghboring rulers left records that confirm the historicity of the biblical chronicle, while of course differening in political and ideological slant.

In the bibical account, the Hebrew people, were led by the patriarchs and later by judges prior to the establishment of the kingdom. The notion of kingship was for a long time resisted, seen as putting a man a position of reverence and power reserved for God. The people appealed to Samuel, the last of the judges, for a king, after Samuel's sons misused their inherited offices. The so-called United Kingdom of Saul, David and Solomon endured for a period of 120 biblical years and then split into two nations. This article will forcus on the Northern Kingdom, or Israel. For information on the Southern Kingdom, please consult the aticle on the Kingdom of Judah.

Jerusalem was the capital of the United Kingdom. The first capital of Northern Kingdom of Israel was Shechem(1 Kings 12:25), then Tirza (14:17), and finally Samaria (16:24), which endured until the destruction of the kingdom by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:5).

The area of Solomon's kingdom is usually agreed to not have much exceeded 34,000 km² (13,000 square miles). Many scholars consider the area of his effective royal administration to have been much smaller. However, a minority of biblical literalists grant a much larger land area for his empire. The later kingdom of Israel encompassed about 24,000 km² (9,375 square miles). [1]

Population?

United Monarchy

Around 1030-1020 B.C.E., Saul became the first King of Israel. A natural leader of uncommonly tall physical stature, he gained important military victories against Israel's traditional enemies, the Philistines and Amalekites. The degree to which he unified the tribes under a single Israelite authority is uncertain. According to the book of Samuel, he ruled with God's approval for only two years, due to his disobedience in failing to complete the slaughter of the Amalekites. Thereafter he continued to reign while the young and future king David gained fame among the southern tribes as bandit leader of heroic proportions. After Saul's death in battle with the Philistines, David was anoinited king by the tribe of Judah at Herbron, where he remained for seven years. The northern tribes seem to have been without a cohesive national identity during this period, during which David captured the strategic Jebusite town of Jerusalem and made it his capital. A civil war between David's forces and several northern tribes supporting the house of Saul raged intermittently, ending when Saul's son Ish-Bosheth was betrayed by his military commander, Abner.

File:426Early-Historical-Israel-Dan-Beersheba-Judea.png

David succeeded in unifying the Hebrew tribes to a degree, and he firmly consolidated the monarchical government in Jerusalem. He embarked on successful military campaigns against Israel's enemies, creating more secure borders for Israel. However, he faced several rebellions, in which elements of the northern tribes joined under the slogan "What have we to do with David?"

The third King of Israel, Shlomo, or "Solomon" in English, is portrayed as a leader of great wisdom who expanded the united Kingdom of Israel into a great empire and constructed a glorious national Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is described as a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity for Israel.

The Northern Kingdom

The history of the Northern Kingdom will be divided into four segments. The first begins with the ascension of Jeroboam and ends with the beginning of the Omrian dynasty. The seconds begins with Omri and ends with the coup by Jehu. The third begins with Jehu and ends with Menahem. The fourth traces the decline and fall of the kingdom of Israel from the time of Menahem until the Assyrian invasion.

Jeroboam to Omri

Despite the biblical portrayal of a vast united empire under King Solomon, Jerusalem's control of the territory of Israel outside of Judah was minimal expect for some amount of taxation and forced labor. There is little to suggest that inhabitants of the territory known as "Israel" had acted together previously except in opposition to the house of David. The harsh labor policy of the Judean king Rehoboam, gave the northern tribes found a strong reason to coalesce under the leadership of Jeroboam I. Jeroboam united the northern tribes politically and also revived and expanded two major religious shrines, one in the northern district of Dan, the other just a few miles north of Jerusalem at Beth-El. His erection of these sites, intended to create national cohesion and provide easy access for Israelite pilgrims, earned him the enduring enmity of the Jerusalem priesthood and the biblical authors.

Israel was at first at a disadvantage against Judah due a lack of a standing army and because of internal strife. The rule of Jeroboam's tribe of Ephraim became unpopular; and his son Nadab (913) was slain by the usurper Baasha, of the tribe Issachar (911). Meanwhile the northern districts suffered from border attacks from the Arameans of Damascus.

Baasha moved the capital at Tirzah and made a treaty with Damascus. This, together with the advantage of a greater population and natural resources enabled him to stengthen his position with regard to Judah. However, when King Asa of Judah induced the Arameans to break with Baasha, Israel lost fertile lands northwest of the Sea of Galilee as well as militarily significant southern high ground. Baasha's son Elah (888) was slain in a military coup led by the cavalry commander Zimri. His reign was short-lived, however, and of the two pretenders to the throne who competed to succeed him, the military general Omri emerged victorious.

Omri to Jehu

Omri buiilt a new capital, the strategically located Samaria in central Palestine, increasing his control of trade and providing good access to the Mediterrean. He brought to an end the fratricidal war with Judah and established a friendship with the Phoenician power of Tyre, sealed by a marriage between his son Ahab Tyrian princess Jezebel. He consolidated Israel politically and for the most part successfully resisted Damascus to the north and the Moabites to the south.

Ahab (875) built on his father's foundation economically and politically, but his toleration of the Phoenicain deity Baal brought religious strife with Yahwist elements centering on the prophet Elijah. However, Ahab courageously defended Israel against the growing power of Damascus and eventually forged an alliance with Damascus against the growing Assyrian power of Shalmaneser II. However, war with Damascus soon broke out again, and Ahab was slain in battle at Ramoth in Gilead.

Ahab's son Ahaziah died soon after his accession and succeeded by his brother Joram (853). He vigorously prosecuted the war with Damascus, but internal opposition by religious forces opposed to his toleration of Baal worship grew stronger. The prophet Elisha anointed the Syrian leader Hazel to punish Israel and indicated his support for a coup de etat under the leadership of the military officer Jehu. Joram and his mother Jezebel were soon put to death together with their extended family, and a widespread slaughter of the priests of the Baal followed.

Jehu to Menahem

Jehu, having cleared the way to the throne, found himself at once face to face with Hazael of Damascus, who a short while before had also made himself king by the assassination of his master. To Secure himself Jehu sent many rich presents to Shalmaneser of Assyria. This, however, availed him nothing. The Assyrians had made frequent expeditions against Damascus, and thereby had greatly helped Israel—perhaps, indeed, had saved it from utter destruction; but after 839 Shalmaneser appeared no more in Syria, and Hazael had his way in Israel and Judah. Jehu's reign was thus made utterly inglorious; and his son Jehoahaz (815) was, if possible, still further reduced by the power of Damascus, so that the vassal state was allowed to maintain only a nominal guard of chariots and horsemen.

But deliverance was granted when most sorely needed. The Assyrians again came against Damascus after the death of Hazael (803); and under Joash (799), son of Jehoahaz, Israel gradually revived. In 797 Damascus was captured by the Assyrians, and for two generations remained innocuous. The Assyrians soon retired; and, freed from the double danger, Israel still further revived, till Jeroboam II. (783), son of Joash, brought it to a height of power and prosperity never before known. Indeed, for a time, the old ideal boundaries both east and west of the Jordan were maintained. But the glory was external and short-lived. The moral causes of decay are shown in the prophecies of Amos and Hosea. Jeroboam's son Zachariah (742) had scarcely begun to reign when a usurper, Shallum, put him to death, he in his turn being summarily disposed of by an army officer, Menahem.

Fourth Period.

Vassalage, Revolt, and Ruin.

—Menahem to Hoshea (741-722):

In the time of Menahem, Israel had at last to deal directly with the Assyrians, who under Tiglathpileser III. were now beginning their final era of conquest. In 738 he bought them off for a thousand talents of silver. His reign was brief, and his son Pekahiah, after ruling little more than a year, was slain by his general Pekah (735). In 734 the Assyrians returned. To cope with them Pekah made an alliance with Damascus. The Assyrians annexed Galilee and Damascus, dethroned Pekah, and put an intriguer, Hoshea, in his place. Over the central remnant Hoshea reigned as an Assyrian vassal till in 724 he was incited to revolt by Egypt under the Ethiopian dynasty. Samaria was soon placed under siege, and at the end of 722 was taken. Of the little kingdom 27,290 people were deported, and it was made an Assyrian province.

During the siege of Samaria (lasting for three years) by the Assyrians, Shalmaneser V died and was succeeded by Sargon II of Assyria, who himself records the capture of that city thus: "Samaria I looked at, I captured; 27,280 men who dwelt in it I carried away" (2 Kings 17:6) into Assyria. Thus, after a duration of two hundred and fifty-three years, the kingdom of the ten tribes came to an end. They were scattered throughout the East, and are popularly known as the Lost ten tribes of Israel.

" Judah held its ground against Assyria for yet one hundred and twenty-three years, and became the rallying-point of the dispersed of every tribe, and eventually gave its name to the whole race. Those of the people who in the last struggle escaped into the territories of Judah or other neighbouring countries naturally looked to Judah as the head and home of their race. And when Judah itself was carried off to Babylon, many of the exiled Israelites joined them from Assyria, and swelled that immense population which made Babylonia a second Judah".

After the deportation of the ten tribes, the vacated land was colonized by various eastern tribes, especially Syrians, whom the king of Assyria sent there (Ezra 4:2, 10; 2 Kings 17:24-29).

The Kings of Israel

For this period, most historians follow either of the older chronologies established by William F. Albright or Edwin R. Thiele, or the newer chronology of Gershon Galil, all of which are shown below. All dates are BCE.

Albright dates	Thiele dates	Galil dates	Common name	Regnal Name and style	Notes
The House of Saul
c.1021–1000		c.1030–1010	Saul	שאול בן-קיש מלך ישראל Shaul ben Qysh, Melek Ysr’al	Benjamite tribesman. Fought Amalekites and Philistines. Killed in battle.
c.1000		c.1010–1008	Ishbaal (Ish-boseth)	איש-בשת בן-שאול מלך ישראל Ish-boshet ben Shaul, Melek Ysr’al	Led Benjamin and n. tribes in civil war against David. Assassinated after betryal by his general, Abner.
The House of David
c.1000–962		c.1008–970	David	דוד בן-ישי מלך ישראל David ben Yeshy, Melekh Ysr’al	Son-in-law of Saul and legendary bandit leader. Established monarchy with Jerusalem as its capital.
c.962–c.922		c.970–931	Solomon	שלמה בן-דוד מלך ישראל Shelomoh ben David, Melekh Yisr’al	Son of David by Bathsheba. Described as reigning in peace over a United Kingdom.
Israel was divided into northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms
The House of Jeroboam
922–901	931–910	931–909	Jeroboam I	ירבעם בן-נבט מלך ישראל Yerobo’am ben Nebat, Melek Ysr’al	Broke from Judah in labor dispute. Established national shrines in Dan and Beth-El.
901–900	910–909	909–908	Nadab	נדב בן-ירבעם מלך ישראל Nadab ben Yerobo’am, Melek Ysr’al	Laid seige to Philistine city of Gath, where he was assassinated by Baasha.
The House of Baasha
900–877	909–886	908–885	Baasha	בעשא בן-אחיה מלך ישראל Ba’asa ben Achiy’a, Melek Ysr’al	Moved capital to Tirzah in Issachar. Lost territory when Damascus allied with Judah.
877–876	886–885	885–884	Elah	אלה בן-בעשא מלך ישראל ’Alah ben Ba’asa, Melek Ysr’al	Reigned two years and was assassinated by Zimri.
The House of Zimri
876	885	884	Zimri	זמרי מלך ישראל Zimry, Melek Ysr’al	Ruled for 7 days. Kingdom splits briefly but unites under the military leader Omri.
The House of Omri
876–869	885–874	884–873	Omri	עמרי מלך ישראל ’Omry, Melek Ysr’al	Consolidate the nation, moved the capital to Samaria, made peace with Judah and Tyre.
869–850	874–853	873–852	Ahab	אחאב בן-עמרי מלך ישראל Achwav ben ’Omry, Melek Ysr’al	Developed Israel's economy and military, but faced internal religious strife. Killed in battle.
850–849	853–852	852–851	Ahaziah	אחזיהו בן-אחאב מלך ישראל ’Achazyhu ben ’Ach’ab, Melek Ysr’al
849–842	852–841	851–842	Joram	יורם בן-אחאב מלך ישראל Yoram ben ’Ach’ab, Melek Ysr’al	Assassinated with his mother Jezebel by Jehu at the instigation of the prophet Elisha.
The House of Jehu
842–815	841–814	842–815	Jehu	יהוא בן-נמשי מלך ישראל Yehu’a ben Nimshi, Melek Ysr’al	See Note 1
815–801	814–798	819–804	Jehoahaz	יהואחז בן-יהוא מלך ישראל Yeho’achaz ben Yehu’a, Melek Ysr’al
801–786	798–782	805–790	Jehoash (Joash)	יואש בן-יואחז מלך ישראל Yeho’ash ben Yeho’achaz, Melek Ysr’al	Jehoash paid tribute to King Adad-nirari III of Assyria (810–783).
786–746	782–753	790–750	Jeroboam II	ירבעם בן-יואש מלך ישראל Yerobo’am ben Yeho’ash, Melek Ysr’al	Israel at the height of its power
746	753	750–749	Zachariah	זכריה בן-ירבעם מלך ישראל Zachariah ben Yerobo’am, Melek Ysr’al	Assassinated
The House of Jabesh
745	752	749	Shallum	שלם בן-יבש מלך ישראל Shallum ben Yabesh, Melek Ysr’al
The Last Houses of Israel
745–738	752–742	749–738	Menahem	מנחם בן-גדי מלך ישראל Menochem ben Gady, Melek Ysr’al
738–737	742–740	738–736	Pekahiah	פקחיה בן-מנחם מלך ישראל Pekahyah ben Menahem, Melek Ysr’al	Assassinated
737–732	740–732	736–732	Pekah	פקח בן-רמליהו מלך ישראל Pekah ben Ramalyhu, Melek Ysr’al	Assassinated
732–722	732–722	732–722	Hoshea	הושע בן-אלה מלך ישראל Hosh’e ben ’Alah, Melek Ysr’al	Deposed. See Note 2

Notes

1. Jehu: Considered to be a contemporary of the Assyrian King Shalmaneser III (858–824) to whom he paid tribute. This is based on an inscription on The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III showing "Yaua" son of Omri paying tribute, dated to 841 B.C.E.

2. Hoshea: Paid tribute to the Assyrian King Shalmaneser V (727–722 B.C.E.) but rebelled in 725 B.C.E. Shalmaneser besieged the capital, Samaria, but died shortly before the fall of the city. His brother Sargon II (722–705 B.C.E.) completed the siege with success in 722, making Judah the sole remaining Hebrew kingdom. The ten tribes were exiled to other parts of the Assyrian Empire and never heard from again in recorded history. A small group of people fled south to take refuge in Judah.

See also

• Government of ancient Israel
• Kingdom of Judah
• History of ancient Israel and Judah

External links

• Complete Bible Genealogy A synchronized chart of the kings of Israel and Judah

ca:Regne d'Israel cs:Izraelské království de:Königreich Israel es:Reino de Israel eo:Izraelo fr:Royaume d'Israël he:ממלכת ישראל ko:이스라엘 왕국 id:Kerajaan Israel nl:Koninkrijk Israël ja:イスラエル王国 pt:Reino de Israel ru:Израильское царство fi:Israelin kuningaskunta Vi:Y-sô-ra-eân Quốc Vương zh:以色列王國

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

• Kingdom of Israel  ^history

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

• History of "Kingdom of Israel"

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.