1. The First Israelites Chapter Three, Section One

2. About 1200 BC, great changes took place around Mediterranean ◦ Empires fell and new people entered the region 1000 BC, Israelites built a kingdom in Canaan Canaan lies along the Mediterranean Sea in Middle East.

3. Small population of people. monotheism Israelites believed in God—only one; monotheism Judaism Israelite faith become Judaism; known as Jews ◦ Influenced Christianity and Islam ◦ Shaped beliefs and practices of societies in Europe and Americas. Spoke Hebrew; wrote their beliefs in the Hebrew Bible Came from Mesopotamia-herders and traders; settled in Canaan

4. Abraham—father Abraham—father of the Hebrews. Believe God told Abraham to go to Canaan. God promised the land to Abraham and the Hebrews. Jacob Jacob—grandson of Abraham; also called Israel ◦ Had 12 sons; Divided his family into 12 tribes. 12 Tribes of Israel Lived in Israel for 100 years; moved to Egypt to escape famine

5. While in Egypt they were enslaved by Pharaoh. infanticide They were subject to infanticide— murder of their infants Moses Moses led his people out of Egypt; 10 plagues on Egyptians TenCommandments Ten Commandments—at top of Mt. Sinai, received the laws from God. The commandments were an important part of the Torah; most important in shaping moral laws of many nations. Torah—first part of the Hebrew Bible; describes a covenant

6. Took 40 years to reach Canaan; Moses had already died Joshua took over leadership after Moses; brought Israelites to Canaan Canaanites were living there when they arrived. Joshua and his army took the city of Jericho and other lands in three wars. ◦ The territories were divided among the 12 Tribes of Israel

7. Judge Judge—An Israelite military leader that guided the 12 tribes after Joshua’s death. Usually they guided 1 or 2 tribes; Deborah Deborah—only known woman judge. ◦ 1125 BC—Deborah and her troops destroyed King Jabin and his army of Canaanites. Over time, the judges gained control over all the hilly regions of Canaan. The Canaanites only controlled the coastal areas.

8. Led by Abraham, the Israelites settled in Canaan. They later moved to Egypt and were enslaved, but then escaped. The Israelites used the Ten Commandments as rules to live by. Joshua and the judges, including Deborah, won back territory in central Canaan for the Israelites.

9. Kingdom of Israel Chapter 3; Section 2

10. Israelites Choose a King 1000 BC—Philistines strongest in the region of Canaan Israelites believe they need to choose a king to unite the tribes and become stronger

11. Rule of King Saul 1020 BC—Israelites asked Samuel to choose a king. Samuel—a judge and prophet Samuel selects Saul a warrior and farmer; first king of Israel Hebrew Bible says Saul lost favor with God and the people

12. King David David—was in charge of Saul’s army; known for his bravery and leadership; David and Goliath 1000 BC—David takes the throne of Israel David as King ◦ Drove Philistines from the region ◦ Created an Empire ◦ Conquered nations paid a tribute—added to Israel’s wealth

13. King David ◦ Taxes the Israelites heavily  Wanted to expand Jerusalem  Wanted to build a temple for the Jews in Jerusalem

14. King Solomon Solomon—last king of a united Israel; noted for his wisdom, but hated for his taxation ◦ Built the great stone temple in Jerusalem  Becomes a symbol and center of Jewish religion ◦ Known for his proverbs—wise sayings ◦ 1000-922 BC ◦ 1000-922 BC—the period of kings.

15. After Solomon When Solomon died, Northerners rebelled 922 BC ◦ 10 of the 12 tribes set up their own nation in the north—Kingdom of Israel (922 BC) ◦ Samaria—capital of Kingdom of Israel. Kingdom of Judah ◦ Two tribes ◦ Jerusalem remained the Capital

16. Fall of Israel ◦ 722 BC ◦ 722 BC—Assyrians conquered Israel and scattered 10 tribes across their empire. ◦ They are known as the “Lost Tribes of Israel”

17. Fall of Judah ◦ 620 BC ◦ 620 BC—Egyptians conquered the Kingdom of Judah  Israelites kept their king but paid tribute to Egypt ◦ 605 BC ◦ 605 BC—Chaldeans conquer Egypt; Egyptians and Jews unite but fail ◦ 597 BC ◦ 597 BC—Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem  Punished Jews severely—10,000 forced to leave and live in Babylon  A second rebellion was crushed and the Temple was destroyed. 597-538BC  Time in Babylon called the Babylonian Exile—597-538 BC ◦ 538 BC ◦ 538 BC—Persian king Cyrus allows Jews to rebuild Jerusalem

18. Review the Main Ideas Saul was the first king of the Israelites. He united the 12 tribes into one kingdom. King David built an Israelite empire and made Jerusalem his capital. Solomon built a great temple at Jerusalem, but after he died, the Israelites split into two kingdoms—Israel and Judah The Assyrians and then the Chaldeans conquered Israel and Judah, and forced many Israelites to leave their homeland.

19. Chapter three, section three Growth of Judaism

20. Exile and Return During the exile (586-538 BC) in Babylon the Israelite religion became what we call Judaism Sabbath—small groups of Jews would meet for a day of worship and rest at the synagogues 538 BC—Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Judah; some stayed in Babylon, many went home They rebuilt Jerusalem and the temple. Were not allowed to have their own king Religious leaders ran their society Scribes became religious scholars Ezra—wrote five books of the Torah on pieces of parchment—scrolls; Torah and writings added later made up the Hebrew Bible.

21. Jews Look to the Future Story of Daniel reminded Jews that God would rescue them Daniel was important to the Chaldean rulers but he refused to worship Babylonian gods. They threw him into the Lion’s den but God protected Daniel from the Lions. Jews believed that evil and suffering would eventually be replaced by goodness.

22. Jews and the Greeks 331 BC, Alexander the Great (Greek) defeated Persians so Judah came under his control Jews were allowed to stay in Judah; Hebrews were introduced Greek language and culture Jews were living throughout Alexander’s empire at this time; This became known as Diaspora During Diaspora, Jews learned Greek ways and copied the Torah in Greek As a result, Jewish ideas spread throughout the Mediterranean world.

23. The Maccabees 168 BC—Greek Ruler Antiochus controlled Judah; He decided to make Jews worship Greek gods. Judas Maccabeus—a priest that led a rebellion against Antiochus Maccabees fled to the hills and formed an army. After many battles they drove the Greeks out of Judah and destroyed all traces of Greek gods. Hanukkah—Jewish festival that celebrates the Maccabees and their victory. Judas Maccabeus’s family became new rulers and they took over land that had been part of Kingdom of Israel

24. Roman Rule Jews and the Romans 63 BC—Romans conquered Judah; renamed it Judaea At first, Romans allowed Jewish rulers to run Judaea King Herod—most famous ruler of Judaea ◦ Added to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem ◦ Became one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the entire Roman world Romans replaced the Jewish king with Roman officials when Herod died. Jews were divided over how to deal with the Romans

25. Jewish Revolts 60’s AD—Jewish hatred of Roman rule was at its peak Jews waited for a messiah—deliverer sent from God Zealots—wanted to fight the Romans for Freedom 66 AD—Zealots revolted against the Romans and drove them out of Jerusalem; 70 AD—Romans returned and killed thousands of Jews and forced many others to leave; Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem; The Western Wall is all that remains today 132 AD—Jews revolted again; Revolt was crushed in 135 AD; Romans forbade the Jews to live in or even visit Jerusalem; Started calling Judah by the name Palestine. Name refers to the Philistines. 1947 AD—Jews return to Judah and form the state of Israel.