Biblical Hebrew Blog by ClassicalHebrew.com

In approximately 930 B.C.E., the short-lived United Monarchy, which ruled over all the tribes of Israel, was divided into two kingdoms: Israel in the north, led by Jeroboam son of Nebat, and Judea in the South, led by Rehoboam the son of Solomon. The two kingdoms differed in cultural and religious aspects, the Judean faith’s main place of worship being in the Jerusalem temple, while Jeroboam established temples in Bethel and Dan in which he placed golden calves.

The Book of Kings presents us with the history of the two kingdoms, always separate and distinct. The northern kingdom is considered, in biblical terms, to be a sinful institution, while the southern kingdom is also generally not held in high moral regard, although some kings were considered worthy religious leaders. The two kingdoms were often involved in mutual conflicts such as the war raged by the Aramites against the Israelite king Baasha at the request of the Judean king Asa. However, there were also times of military treaties, as in the days of Jehoshaphat of Judea and Ahab of Israel, who fought together against the Aramites.

The Israelite kingdom was destroyed by Shalmaneser III king of Assyria, in 722 B.C.E. Following the fall of the kingdom, some refugees who escaped exile fled to Jerusalem, which was attacked by the Assyrians but withstood their attack some years later (701). The Judean kingdom was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.

Despite their differences and disputes, the two kingdoms were always considered sister kingdoms, sharing the same language (though there were two distinct dialects) and a variation of the same religion. The cultural connections between the two led to joint prophecy: Hosea, of the eighth century, who preached to both populations; Amos, who was from Judea but preached to the people of Samaria, and more.

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