The Monarchy
Around 1040 BC the Hebrews needed to create a bond together, against the neighbouring Philistines and to become a nation. Samuel was great prophet that revealed that God had called a young man named Saul to be the first king of Israel. As king of the Hebrew tribes, Saul was successful in many battles, however, he disobeyed God and this led God to call a young shepherd, David, son of Jesse, to become king. David’s military successes and growing popularity with the people led Saul to try to murder him. David and his supporters fled into wild and succeeded to avoid the troops sent by Saul to kill him. Eventually, David and his followers sought the fortification of the Philistines. In time, the Philistines fought Saul’s army and Saul was eventually killed. David then became king of the southern tribe of Judah, around 1000 B.C. Seven years later, after the assassination of Saul’s last surviving son, Ishbaal, David became the king of Israel. The kingdom of Israel comprised the remaining ten tribes of Israel and their lands to the north.
David needed a capital that is acceptable to both the Israelite kingdoms. He dominated Jerusalem around 1000 BC making it the royal and religious capital of his United Kingdom of Judah and Israel. In this period, it was further in progress of the oral tradition including stories of David and of how God, through David, united all the Israelites into one kingdom.
David was the greatest of the Israelite kings. Although at times he was disloyal to God and he would always repent. He was succeeded by one of his sons, Solomon in around 970 BC and the kingdom became an inborn kingdom. About 966 BC, Solomon began building a great Temple in Jerusalem to protect the Ark of the Covenant, which was to be the house of God. This Temple was devoted around 960 BC. From then until its destruction around 587 BC, much of the oral tradition reflected the position of the Temple as the centre of Jewish belief. Solomon, however, did not remain true to God for he permitted other religions to grow in his kingdom and tried to dominate the twelve tribes of Israel. This led to deep bitterness that concluded in the division of the kingdom soon after his passing.
David needed a capital that is acceptable to both the Israelite kingdoms. He dominated Jerusalem around 1000 BC making it the royal and religious capital of his United Kingdom of Judah and Israel. In this period, it was further in progress of the oral tradition including stories of David and of how God, through David, united all the Israelites into one kingdom.
David was the greatest of the Israelite kings. Although at times he was disloyal to God and he would always repent. He was succeeded by one of his sons, Solomon in around 970 BC and the kingdom became an inborn kingdom. About 966 BC, Solomon began building a great Temple in Jerusalem to protect the Ark of the Covenant, which was to be the house of God. This Temple was devoted around 960 BC. From then until its destruction around 587 BC, much of the oral tradition reflected the position of the Temple as the centre of Jewish belief. Solomon, however, did not remain true to God for he permitted other religions to grow in his kingdom and tried to dominate the twelve tribes of Israel. This led to deep bitterness that concluded in the division of the kingdom soon after his passing.
The Monarchy
During the period of the Monarchy, God called special people called prophets. In the Old Testament a prophet was someone who spoke openly on God’s behalf, usually to the kings or religious leaders. On instances they lectured their messages to a gathering to the people. They explained God’s thoughts and the meanings of occasions and involvements. The most well-known prophets of this time were Samuel and Nathan. Prophets that were inspired by the Spirit through various experiences, such as thoughts, visualizations, and practices of excessive happiness and spiritual experiences. They were distinctive by their appearance, for instance, wearing clothing made of hair. There were hundreds of prophets later in the history of Israel. Often they were grouped into schools or brotherhoods. They were usually led by great prophets such as Elijah and Elisha. Other great prophets include Moses, Micah, Isaiah, Zephaniah and Ezekiel.
Most scriptural scholars believe that the books of the Old Testament were written and edited by four main foundations over many centuries. Each of these foundations probably drew upon a number of other sources for their material. The Old Testament is the creation of hundreds, if not thousands, of providers, some as writers and others as editors. The four major foundations are known as the Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist and Priestly. As the last foundation to work on the material, the Priestly tradition was able to combine and edit the four written traditions into what we read in the Old Testament today.
The northern kingdom of Israel was demolished by the Assyrians in 721 BC. They captured its capital, Samaria and after a three-year siege. People from other parts of the Assyrian empire were motivated into the conquered kingdom to break down its cultural, tribal and spiritual union. The people of both kingdoms went through eras of possession and defiance the Sinai Covenant. Often it was the kings and people of Israel who tended to break God’s commandments. Following the pattern of disloyalty, they eventually turned away from God and lost God’s direction and aid. This led to their subjugation and tyranny by the Assyrians.
Most scriptural scholars believe that the books of the Old Testament were written and edited by four main foundations over many centuries. Each of these foundations probably drew upon a number of other sources for their material. The Old Testament is the creation of hundreds, if not thousands, of providers, some as writers and others as editors. The four major foundations are known as the Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist and Priestly. As the last foundation to work on the material, the Priestly tradition was able to combine and edit the four written traditions into what we read in the Old Testament today.
The northern kingdom of Israel was demolished by the Assyrians in 721 BC. They captured its capital, Samaria and after a three-year siege. People from other parts of the Assyrian empire were motivated into the conquered kingdom to break down its cultural, tribal and spiritual union. The people of both kingdoms went through eras of possession and defiance the Sinai Covenant. Often it was the kings and people of Israel who tended to break God’s commandments. Following the pattern of disloyalty, they eventually turned away from God and lost God’s direction and aid. This led to their subjugation and tyranny by the Assyrians.