The Ancient Israelites The Kingdom of Israel Section 2

Did You Know? Jerusalem has had different names throughout history. Jerusalem has had different names throughout history. Before King David conquered Jerusalem, the city was called Jebus. Before King David conquered Jerusalem, the city was called Jebus. King David renamed the city the City of David. King David renamed the city the City of David. Account of the Assyrians’ conquering of the city referred to Jerusalem as the City of Judah. Account of the Assyrians’ conquering of the city referred to Jerusalem as the City of Judah.

Israelites Choose a King Philistines were the strongest people in Canaan around 1000 B.C. Philistines were the strongest people in Canaan around 1000 B.C. Israelites feared the Philistines, so they copied their ways and worshiped their gods. Israelites feared the Philistines, so they copied their ways and worshiped their gods. To keep from quarreling among themselves and to save their religion, the 12 tribes asked Samuel, a prophet, to choose a king. To keep from quarreling among themselves and to save their religion, the 12 tribes asked Samuel, a prophet, to choose a king. Prophet: a person who claims to be instructed by God. Prophet: a person who claims to be instructed by God. Samuel warned the Israelites against having a king. Samuel warned the Israelites against having a king. Israelites named Saul as king. Israelites named Saul as king. Samuel anointed him, Samuel anointed him, King Saul displeased God. King Saul displeased God. So God chose another king, David. So God chose another king, David. God told Samuel anoint David in secret. God told Samuel anoint David in secret.

Discussion Question Why did Samuel warn the Israelites against choosing a king? Why did Samuel warn the Israelites against choosing a king? Samuel told the Israelites that a king would enslave them and make them pay taxes. Samuel told the Israelites that a king would enslave them and make them pay taxes.

David & Solomon David was a famous warrior. David was a famous warrior. He killed a giant Philistine named Goliath with a slingshot and stones. He killed a giant Philistine named Goliath with a slingshot and stones. King Saul put David in charge of the army but later grew envious of David and plotted to have him killed. King Saul put David in charge of the army but later grew envious of David and plotted to have him killed. David hid until Saul and his sons were killed. David hid until Saul and his sons were killed. Then, David took the throne. Then, David took the throne. David drove the Philistines out and conquered other countries, building his empire. David drove the Philistines out and conquered other countries, building his empire. An empire is a nation that rules several other nations. An empire is a nation that rules several other nations. The conquered people had to pay tribute to David. The conquered people had to pay tribute to David. Money or slaves. Money or slaves. Israelites also had to pay heavy taxes. Israelites also had to pay heavy taxes. David used the money to expand his capital, Jerusalem. David used the money to expand his capital, Jerusalem.

David & Solomon continued Solomon was David’s son who took the throne after David’s death. Solomon was David’s son who took the throne after David’s death. Solomon built the stone temple in Jerusalem that David wanted to build. Solomon built the stone temple in Jerusalem that David wanted to build. He was known for his proverbs, or wise sayings. He was known for his proverbs, or wise sayings. When Solomon died, the 12 tribes began fighting. When Solomon died, the 12 tribes began fighting. 10 of the tribes moved to the north and called their nation: kingdom of Israel. 10 of the tribes moved to the north and called their nation: kingdom of Israel. The other 2 tribes moved to the south and called their nation: kingdom of Judah. The other 2 tribes moved to the south and called their nation: kingdom of Judah. The capital of Judah was Jerusalem, and the people of Jerusalem were called Jews. The capital of Judah was Jerusalem, and the people of Jerusalem were called Jews.

Discussion Question Why did David want to build a temple in Jerusalem? Why did David want to build a temple in Jerusalem? David wanted the Israelites to have a permanent place for their sacred objects. David wanted the Israelites to have a permanent place for their sacred objects.

A Troubled Time After creating the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, many Israelites forgot their religion. After creating the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, many Israelites forgot their religion. The prophets told the Israelites to return to God’s laws to create a just society. The prophets told the Israelites to return to God’s laws to create a just society. The Assyrians conquered Israel and dispersed the 10 tribes throughout their empire. The Assyrians conquered Israel and dispersed the 10 tribes throughout their empire. These Israelites lost their religion and were often called the “lost tribes of Israel”. These Israelites lost their religion and were often called the “lost tribes of Israel”.

Assyrian Samaritans The Assyrians settled around Samaria and were called Samaritans. The Assyrians settled around Samaria and were called Samaritans. The Samaritans thought God would be angry with them for taking the Israelites’ land. The Samaritans thought God would be angry with them for taking the Israelites’ land. To appease God, they offered sacrifices and began following the Israelites’ religion. To appease God, they offered sacrifices and began following the Israelites’ religion. The people of Judah believed that God only accepted sacrifices from the temple at Jerusalem. The people of Judah believed that God only accepted sacrifices from the temple at Jerusalem. They believed they were God’s only people. They believed they were God’s only people.

Conquered The Egyptians conquered the kingdom of Judah in 620 B.C. The Egyptians conquered the kingdom of Judah in 620 B.C. The Chaldeans conquered Egypt and became rulers of Judah in 605 B.C. The Chaldeans conquered Egypt and became rulers of Judah in 605 B.C. The Jews joined forces with the Egyptians to conquer the Chaldeans. The Jews joined forces with the Egyptians to conquer the Chaldeans. King Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans captured Jerusalem and punished the Jews. King Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans captured Jerusalem and punished the Jews. He sent 10,000 Jews to Babylon and appointed a new Jewish king. He sent 10,000 Jews to Babylon and appointed a new Jewish king. In 586 B.C., the Jews revolted against the Chaldeans, and the Chaldean ruler crushed Jerusalem. In 586 B.C., the Jews revolted against the Chaldeans, and the Chaldean ruler crushed Jerusalem. The Chaldeans took the king of Judah and thousands of Jews to Babylon. The Chaldeans took the king of Judah and thousands of Jews to Babylon. This period is known as the Babylonian Captivity. This period is known as the Babylonian Captivity.

Discussion Question What message did the prophets bring to the Israelites? What message did the prophets bring to the Israelites? The prophets warned the Israelites that being faithful to God was more than simply going to temple to worship. The prophets warned the Israelites that being faithful to God was more than simply going to temple to worship. It meant working for a just society and dealing fairly with other people. It meant working for a just society and dealing fairly with other people.