1. Israel at Home in Palestine

2. What Really Happened? The Hill country of Palestine suddenly grew in population between 1200BC – 1000BC Who? Possibly people left costal towns and moved inwards (pottery remains found in the coastal plains and hill county would support this) Most likely combination of rural people and former Egyptian slaves – more similar to the Judges account Why? General unrest in the area? Philistine invaders from Greece? Climate changes making pervious homes uninhabitable? Oppressive lifestyle, especially for the poor?

3. What Really Happened? How long? This was a slow process, not the “lightning campaign” we see in Joshua Settlement most likely took place until the Monarchy (ca 1000 BC) Religious Significance? Joshua and Judges were written after the destruction of the Temple and during Babylonian Exile The exaggerated events in these books would have highlighted the difference between the faithful of the people in an earlier era and the current loss of faith Remind people that trust in God result is blessings (conquest), while lack of faith and disobedience results in catastrophe (destruction of the Temple and Exile)

4. The Culture of Israel Bet Av Patriarchal household of both immediate and extended members Mishpachah “Clans” association of the Bet Avs Twelve Tribes Role of the Elders Tempted by Canaanite religions Worshiped Baal….

5. A Revolutionary People While the Israelites adopted some of the local practices, they were radically different But…Read 1 Samuel 7-8 What do the people want? How do Samuel and God respond to them? How does this story relate to the “Murmurings” of the Israelites in the Desert?