1. Lesson 2: The Kingdom of Israel
The Ancient Hebrews
Lesson 2: The Kingdom of Israel

2. 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.
The Israelites Get a King

3. Stop and Think
What usually happens when you have a group of separate leaders and groups in one area?

5. 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
The Israelites Get a King

6. 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

7. 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
Saul and David

11. 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

12. 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
Kingdom of Solomon

13. Model of the Temple of Solomon

15. Life in Ancient Israel 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
Kingdom of Solomon
Life in Ancient Israel

16. 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

17. 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.