THE ANCIENT HEBREWSLesson 2: The Kingdom of Israel

The Israelites Get a King

After Exodus, Israelites settle in Canaan

Enemies surround them, often attacked

Lived as 12 independent tribes – each had own leader

In times of war, an Israelites (called a judge) was given temporary leadership power.

What usually happens when you have a group of separate leaders and groups in

one area?

Stop and Think

The Israelites Get a King

Without a leader, hard to fend off attackers

Decided they needed a king

Asked Samuel – a tribal judge – to appoint a king

Samuel told people, God was only leader

Reluctantly S. chose Saul – about 1000BC

Saul and David

King Saul defeated most enemies (except Philistines)

Expanded kingdom

Saul died in war

David (from tribe of Judah) became king

David defeated Philistines and expanded kingdom from Egypt to Mesopotamia

Saul and David

David named Jerusalem capital of kingdom of Israel

Jerusalem was between David’s kingdom, Judah and lands of other tribes( did not belong to any tribe)

J. became center of government and religious life in Israel

David’s descendants ruled for another 400 years

Kingdom of Solomon

Solomon (David’s son) became king when D. died

S. planned a temple in Jerusalem to worship God and keep Ark of Covenant (box that held stone tablets on which 10 Commandments were carved)

Called “the Temple”

S. had many projects, so people heavily taxed to pay for them and drafted(required) people to work on them

Kingdom of Solomon

S. organized kingdom into 12 tax districts

Each district had governor

Torah law of land

Good economy – trade with Phoenicia and Egypt

I. traded food for wood with Phoenicia

Model of the Temple of Solomon

Kingdom of Solomon

To protect trade routes, large army created and alliances (agreements to help, not harm) with neighbors

Time of peace

Peaceful times led to religious growth

Many different jobs (farmers, metalworkers, carpenters, etc.)

Women ran households or worked for others in homes

Life in Ancient Israel

A few women had positions of power – Deborah was a judge and advisor

King S. known for wisdom, so others rulers sought his advice

King S. known for proverbs (short sayings that express a truth about life)

King S. thought to be author of Proverbs and Song of Songs in Bible

Problems arose because some were unhappy about high taxes and forced labor

S. died in 928BC -kingdom falling apart

Life in Ancient Israel

Big Idea

For a kingdom to be successful, you need strong leaders.

(Saul, David, Solomon)

Often a military is needed to protect kingdom.

Trade is important as well for a successful economy.