Kingdom of Israel:
Jeroboam, the first king. During Solomon's building operations he discovered a young man by the name of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat an Ephrathite, who was valorous and industrious, and he set him over the charge of the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:26-29). Subsequently as the young man was going out of Jerusalem, he was met by the prophet Ahijah who, in a very impressive manner, assured him that he should reign over ten of the tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-39). Solomon on hearing of this attempted to kill Jeroboam, and for protection Jeroboam fled to Egypt (1 Kings 11:40). Upon the accession of Rehoboam to the throne the people sent for Jeroboam, and he joined his countrymen in requesting the new king to lighten their burdens which he emphatically refused to do, and Jeroboam led the revolt (1 Kings 11:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19). Jeroboam established himself at Shechem in Mount Ephraim, and in order to prevent the people from going to Jerusalem to worship, set up two golden calves, one at Bethel and the other at Dan, assuring the people that these were the gods that had brought them out of the land of Egypt (1 Kings 12:25-30). He also disregarded the law of God and made priests of the lowest of the people, and changed the time of holding the annual feasts ordained by Moses (1 Kings 12:31-33). During these perilous times a prophet of the Lord from Judah went to Bethel and found Jeroboam officiating at the altar. The prophet cried vehemently against the altar and predicted that a child should be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, who would destroy the priests of this altar on account of their sacrilegious work, and emphasized the authenticity of his commission by causing the altar to open and the ashes to pour out. Jeroboam was greatly angered and attempted to arrest the man of God with disastrous results, but through the intercession of the prophet he was restored (1 Kings 13:1-32). After this Jeroboam increased in wickedness (1 Kings 13:33-34). Jeroboam's son Abijah fell sick, and he sent his wife to Shiloh to interview the prophet Ahijah in order to find out the destiny of the child. He told her that the child would die, and predicted the extinction of Jeroboam's house on account of his unparalleled wickedness (1 Kings 14:1-18). Jeroboam reigned twenty-two years (1 Kings 14:19-20). He reigned contemporaneously with Rehoboam seventeen years (1 Kings 12:1-20; 1 Kings 14:20-21), Abijah three years (1 Kings 14:31-15:2), and with Asa two years (1 Kings 14:20, 31; 1 Kings 15:1-2; 1 Kings 15:8-10; 2 Chronicles 12:13). Important fact-Ahijah the prophet. The prophet Ahijah flourished during the reign of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:1-18). Nadab, the second king. Jeroboam was succeeded by his son Nadab, whose uneventful reign continued only two years (1 Kings 15:25). Baasha, the third king-second dynasty. Nadab was overthrown and succeeded by Baasha, who, as soon as he reached the throne, exterminated the house of Jeroboam because of his extreme wickedness (1 Kings 15:2-30). Baasha walked in the footsteps of Jeroboam (1 Kings 15:34). He was visited by the prophet of the Lord who predicted the destruction of his house on account of his sins (1 Kings 16:1-7). Baasha reigned over all Israel twenty-four years (1 Kings 15:34). He reigned contemporaneously with Asa (1 Kings 15:9-10, 33). Important fact-Jehu the prophet. The prophet Jehu flourished during the reign of Baasha (1 Kings 16:1-4). Elah, the fourth king. Baasha was succeeded by his son Elah, who reigned two years contemporaneously with Asa, king of Judah (1 Kings 15:9-10; 1 Kings 16:6-8). Zimri, the fifth king-third dynasty. Elah was assassinated by his servant Zimri who, as soon as he ascended the throne, destroyed all the house of Baasha according to the word of the Lord. Zimri reigned contemporaneously with Asa seven days (1 Kings 15:9-10; 1 Kings 16:8-30). Omri, the sixth king-fourth dynasty. Zimri was succeeded by Omri. He reigned six years in undisputed authority. He was contemporary with Asa (1 Kings 15:9-10; 1 Kings 16:21-23). The chief act of Omri's reign, was the founding of the city of Samaria (1 Kings 16:23-24). His reign was characterized by evil (1 Kings 16:25-27). Ahab, the seventh king. Omri was succeeded by his son Ahab (1 Kings 16:28). He introduced idolatry into the court of Israel, and his reign was distinguished by its remarkable disregard for the law of God (1 Kings 16:9-34; 1 Kings 17:1-24). He reigned contemporaneously with Asa four years (1 Kings 15:9-10; (1 Kings 16:29) and Jehoshaphat eighteen years (1 Kings 22:41-42). Important facts-Micaiah and Elijah the prophets. During the reign of Ahab two distinguished prophets flourished. Micaiah's history is very brief. Ahab formed a military alliance with Jehoshaphat, and they went to war against the king of Syria. Before they went into the battle, Ahab's prophets were called, and they uttered their predictions concerning the result of the contest, after which Micaiah was called, and in a very impressive manner predicted the result of the engagement, and his predictions were fulfilled (2 Chronicles 18:1-34). Elijah is one of the most dramatic characters in history. Both his appearance and departure from the scenes of earthly conflict are most remarkable. He appeared at a time when idolatry held high carnival in the court of Ahab, and when all Israel had apparently departed from the Lord (1 Kings 16:29-34; 1 Kings 17:1). The chief events in his life were, he appeared to Ahab, king of Israel and predicted that there should be neither rain nor dew except by his word (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17); he was fed by the ravens at the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-7); he arrived at Zarephath and dwelt there (1 Kings 17:8-16); he restored the widow's son (1 Kings 17:17-24); he appeared to Ahab the second time (1 Kings 18:1-19); he repaired the altar of the Lord and destroyed the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40); the end of the drought and the race from Carmel to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:41-46); he fled from the anger of Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-3); he sat down under a juniper tree and prayed for death (1 Kings 19:4); the angel of the Lord appeared, fed, and strengthened him (1 Kings 19:5-8); the Lord spoke to him at Mount Sinai and assured him that there were seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:9-18); by the Lord's authority he anointed Elisha of Abelmeholah as his successor (1 Kings 19:15-21); he predicted the terrible end of Ahab and his wife (1 Kings 21:17-29); he called fire down from heaven (2 Kings 1:1-12; Luke 9:54); he predicted the death of Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:13-18); he was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:1-18). Ahaziah, the eighth king. Ahab was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. He followed in the footsteps of his wicked ancestors (1 Kings 22:51-53). An accident befell him, and he was dangerously sick, and he sent to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron if he would recover. The angel of the Lord commanded Elijah to go and tell the messengers to declare to the king that he should surely die. When the king recognized the prophet in their description, he sent a deputation of soldiers requesting him to come to him at once. Disaster followed disaster until the prophet appeared in the court of the king and predicted his speedy death (2 Kings 1:1-16). Ahaziah reigned contemporaneously with Jehoshaphat two years (1 Kings 22:42-51; 2 Kings 3:1). Jehoram, the ninth king. Ahaziah was succeeded by his brother Jehoram (2 Kings 1:17; 2 Kings 3:1). His reign was characterized by evil (2 Kings 3:1-2). The peace of his kingdom was disturbed by the rebellion of the king of Moab. In order to suppress this rebellion he associated with him the king of Judah and the king of Edom. Great destruction and sorrow followed (2 Kings 3:1-27). He reigned contemporaneously with Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:1), Jehoram (1 Kings 22:42; 2 Kings 3:1; 2 Kings 9:29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-5) and Ahaziah (2 Kings 9:29); Important fact-Elisha the prophet. Elisha the prophet flourished during these times. The chief events in his life were: he was anointed by Elijah as his successor (1 Kings 19:19-21); he received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah (2 Kings 2:9-15); he told king Jehoram how to obtain water during his campaign against the Moabites (2 Kings 3:10-20); he increased the widow's oil (2 Kings 4:1-7); he raised the Shunammite's son from the dead (2 Kings 4:8-38); he performed a great miracle at Gilgal (2 Kings 4:39-41); he fed a large multitude by a miraculous increase of the food (2 Kings 4:42-44); he healed Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-19); he entailed leprosy on the house of Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27); the great famine in Samaria (2 Kings 6:1-7); he gave assistance to the king of Israel against his foes (2 Kings 6:8-12); he was captured by the Syrians (2 Kings 6:13-18); he led the Syrians to Samaria, fed them, furnished them with the necessities of life, sent them away, and thus gained a great victory (2 Kings 6:19-24); he predicted sudden plenty, during the famine of Samaria (2 Kings 7:1-2); his prediction was fulfilled (2 Kings 7:3-20); he carried out the commission originally given to Elijah (1 Kings 19:15-18; 2 Kings 8:1-15; 2 Kings 9:1-13). Jehu, the tenth king-fifth dynasty. Jehoram was slain and succeeded by Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. He inaugurated a reformation by killing Jezebel, the sons of Ahab and the prophets of Baal (2 Kings 9:1-37; 2 Kings 10:1-28). Because of his success in the destruction of evil, the Lord promised him that his children should sit upon the throne for four generations (2 Kings 10:29-34). Jehu reigned over Israel twenty-eight years, and was contemporary with Athaliah seven years (2 Kings 10:36; 2 Kings 11:1-4) and Jehoash twenty-one years (2 Kings 12:1). Jehoahaz, the eleventh king. Jehu was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz, who reigned in Samaria seventeen years (2 Kings 18:1). His reign was characterized by a continuance of the idolatrous practice inaugurated by Jeroboam. The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of the Syrians. The king seemed to be penitent but did not reform (2 Kings 12:2-8). He was contemporary with Jehoash seventeen years (2 Kings 12:1; 2 Kings 13:1). Joash, the twelfth king. Jehoahaz was succeeded by his son Joash, who followed in the footprints of his wicked progenitors. During Elisha's last illness he was visited by Joash to whom he communicated the information that he should smite the Syrians three times (2 Kings 13:14-19). Joash reigned sixteen years, and was contemporary with Jehoash two years (2 Kings 13:9-10; 2 Kings 12:1; 2 Kings 14:1) and Amaziah fourteen years (2 Kings 14:1-2). Jeroboam II., the thirteenth king. Joash was succeeded by his son Jeroboam. He adhered to the ways of his ancestors. He restored the coast of Israel from the "entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain," according to the prediction of Jonah the son of Amittai (2 Kings 14:23-25). Israel was greatly afflicted during these times, but the Lord granted them deliverance by the hand of the king (2 Kings 14:26-27). He reigned forty-one years, and was contemporary with Amaziah fifteen years (2 Kings 14:1-2, 23) and Uzziah fourteen years (2 Kings 15:1). Important fact-Jonah the prophet. Jonah the prophet flourished during the reign of Jeroboam II. (2 Kings 14:23-25). The chief events in his life were, he received a commission from the Lord to go unto the great city of Nineveh and cry against it (Jonah 1:1-2); he was cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish (Jonah 1:3-17); he prayed to the Lord and was delivered (Jonah 2:1-10); the people of Nineveh repented at his preaching (Jonah 3:1-10). he prayed for death (Jonah 4:1-11). Interregnum. There was a space of about twenty-four years between the death of Jeroboam II., and the accession of Zachariah (2 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 15:1, 8). Zachariah, the fourteenth king. Jeroboam II., was succeeded by his son Zachariah in whom was fulfilled the promise of the Lord to Jehu (2 Kings 14:29; 2 Kings 15:8-12). He reigned six months contemporaneously with Uzziah (2 Kings 15:1-2, 2 Kings 15:8). Shallum, the fifteenth king.#8212;sixth dynasty. Zachariah was slain and succeeded by Shallum who reigned a full month, contemporaneously with Uzziah (2 Kings 15:1-2, 10, 13). Menahem, the sixteenth king-seventh dynasty. Shallum was slain and succeeded by Menahem. His reign was distinguished by a very great wickedness, war and excessive taxation (2 Kings 15:14-22). He reigned ten years contemporaneously with Uzziah (2 Kings 15:1-2, 2 Kings 15:17). Pekahiah, the seventeenth king. Menahem was succeeded by his son Pekahiah. His reign was distinguished on account of wickedness. He reigned two years contemporaneously with Uzziah (2 Kings 15:1-2, 22-24). Pekah, the eighteenth king-eighth dynasty. Pekahiah was slain and succeeded by Pekah (2 Kings 15:25-27). He departed not from the example of his progenitors (2 Kings 15:28). He reigned twenty years (2 Kings 15:27), and was contemporary with Uzziah about one year (2 Kings 15:1-2), Jotham sixteen years (2 Kings 15:32-33; 2 Kings 16:1). Important fact-Interregnum. There was an interregnum of about eight years between the death of Pekah and the accession of Hoshea (2 Kings 15:27; 2 Kings 16:1-2; 2 Kings 17:1). Hoshea, the nineteenth king-ninth dynasty. Pekah was slain and succeeded by Hoshea (2 Kings 15:30). During the reign of Hoshea, Israel was carried by the Assyrians into captivity, and their country was occupied by their enemies (2 Kings 17:1-41).Kingdom of Israel:
Israel, Kingdom Of:
I. THE FIRST PERIOD
1. The Two Kingdoms
2. The Ist Dynasty
3. The IInd Dynasty
4. Civil War
II. PERIOD OF THE SYRIAN WARS
1. The IIIrd Dynasty
2. World-Politics
3. Battle of Karkar
4. Loss of Territory
5. Reform of Religion
6. Revolution
7. The IVth Dynasty
8. Renewed Prosperity
9. Anarchy
III. DECLINE AND FALL
1. Loss of Independence
2. Decline
3. Extinction4. Summary
LITERATURE
I. The First Period.
1. The Two Kingdoms:
The circumstances leading up to the foundation of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, or the Kingdom of the Ten Tribes, have been detailed under the heading KINGDOM OF JUDAH. From a secular point of view it would be more natural to regard the latter as an offshoot from the former, rather than the converse. But not only is the kingdom of Judah of paramount importance in respect of both religion and literature, but its government also was in the hands of a single dynasty, whereas that of the Northern Kingdom changed hands no less than 8 times, during the two and a half centuries of its existence. Moreover, the Southern Kingdom lasted about twice as long as the other.
2. The Ist Dynasty:
No sooner had Jeroboam I been elected the first ruler of the newly founded state than he set about managing its affairs with the energy for which he was distinguished (1Ki 11:28). To complete the disruption he established a sanctuary in opposition to that of Jerusalem (Ho 8:14), with its own order of priests (2Ch 11:14; 13:9), and founded two capital cities, Shechem on the West and Penuel on the East of the Jordan (1Ki 12:25). Peace seems to have been maintained between the rival governments during the 17 years' reign of Rehoboam, but on the accession of his son Abijah war broke out (1Ki 15:6,7; 2Ch 13:3 if). Shortly afterward Jeroboam died and was succeeded by his son Nadab, who was a year later assassinated, and the Ist Dynasty came to an end, after an existence of 23 years, being limited, in fact, to a single reign.
3. The IInd Dynasty:
The turn of the tribe of Issachar came next. They had not yet given a ruler to Israel; they could claim none of the judges, but they had taken their part at the assembling of the tribes under Deborah and Barak of Naphtali. Baasha began his reign of 24 years by extirpating the house of his predecessor (1Ki 15:29), just as the ?Abbasids annihilated the Umeiyads. The capital was now Tirzah (1Ki 14:17; So 6:4), a site not yet identified. His Judean contemporary was ASA (which see), who, like his father Abijah, called in the aid of the Syrians against the Northern Kingdom. Baasha was unequal to the double contest and was forced to evacuate the ground he had gained. His son Elah was assassinated after a reign of a year, as he himself had assassinated the son of the founder of the preceding dynasty, and his entire family and adherents were massacred (1Ki 16:11).
4. Civil War:
The name of the assassin was Zimri, an officer of the charioteers, of unknown origin and tribe. But the kingship was always elective, and the army chose Omri, the commander-in-chief, who besieged and took Tirzah, Zimri setting the palace on fire by his own hand and perishing in the flames. A second pretender, Tibni, a name found in Phoenician and Assyrian, of unknown origin, sprang up. He was quickly disposed of, and security of government was reestablished.
II. Period of the Syrian Wars.
1. The IIId Dynasty:
The founder of the new dynasty was Omri. By this time the Northern Kingdom was so much a united whole that the distinctions of tribe were forgotten. We do not know to what tribe Omri and his successors belonged. With Omri the political sphere of action of Israel became wider than it had been before, and its internal affairs more settled. His civil code was in force long after his dynasty was extinct, and was adopted in the Southern Kingdom (Mic 6:16). The capital city, the site of which he chose, has remained a place of human habitation till the present day. Within the last few years, remains of his building have been recovered, showing a great advance in that art from those believed to go back to Rehoboam and Solomon. He was, however, unfortunate in his relations with Syria, having lost some towns and been forced to grant certain trading concessions to his northern neighbors (1Ki 20:34). But he was so great a king that long after his death the Kingdom of the Ten Tribes was known to the Assyrians as "the house of Omri."
2. World-Politics:
Contemporarily with this dynasty, there occurred a revival of the Phoenician power, which exerted a powerful influence upon the Israelite kings and people, and at the same time the Assyrians once more began to interfere with Syrian politics. The Northern Kingdom now began to play a part in the game of world-politics. There was peace with Judah, and alliance with Phoenicia was cemented by the marriage of Ahab, it seems after his father's death, with Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal (1Ki 16:31). This led to the erection of a temple in Samaria in which the Tyrian Baal was worshipped, while side by side with it the worship of Yahweh was carried on as before. It seems as if the people had fallen back from the pure monotheism of Moses and David into what is known as henotheism. Against this relapse Elijah protested with final success. Ahab was a wise and skillful soldier, without rashness, but also without decision. He defeated a Syrian coalition in two campaigns (1Ki 20) and imposed on Ben-hadad the same conditions which the latter had imposed on Omri. With the close of the reign of Asa in Judah, war ceased between the two Israelite kingdoms and the two kings for the first time became friends and fought side by side (1Ki 22). In the reign of Ahab we note the beginning of decay in the state in regard to personal liberty and equal justice. The tragedy of Naboth's vineyard would not have happened but for the influence of Tyrian ideas, any more than in the case of the famous windmill which stands by the palace of Sans Souci at Potsdam. A further improvement in the art of building took place in this reign. The palace of Ahab, which has recently been recovered by the excavations carded on by the Harvard University Expedition under Dr. G.A. Reisner, shows a marked advance in fineness of workmanship upon that of Omri.
3. Battle of Karkar:
The object of Ben-hadad's attack upon Ahab seems to have been to compel him to join a league founded to resist the encroachments of Assyria upon the countries bordering upon the Mediterranean. The confederates, who were led by Ben-hadad, and of whom Ahab was one, were defeated by Shalmaneser II in the battle of Karkar. The date is known from the inscriptions to have been the year 854-853. It is the first quite certain date in Hebrew history, and from it the earlier dates must be reckoned by working backward. Ahab seems to have seized the moment of Syria's weakness to exact by force the fulfillment of their agreement on the part of Ben-hadad (1Ki 22).
4. Losses of Territory:
On the other hand, the king of Moab, Mesha, appears to have turned the same disaster to account by throwing off his allegiance to Israel, which dated from the time of David, but had apparently lapsed until it was enforced anew by Omri (MS, ll. 4 ff, but l. 8 makes Omri's reign plus half Ahabs = 40 years). Ahab's son and successor Jehoram (omitting Ahaziah, who is chiefly notable as a devotee of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron), with the aid of Jehoshaphat and his vassal, the king of Edom, attempted to recover his rights, but in vain (2Ki 3). It may have been in consequence of the failure of this expedition that the Syrians again besieged Samaria and reduced it to great straits (2Ki 6:24; 7), but the date is uncertain. Jehoram replied with a counter-attack upon the East of the Jordan.
5. Reform of Religion:
It was no doubt owing to his connection with the king of Judah that Jehoram so far modified the worship and ritual as to remove the worst innovations which had come to prevail in the Northern Kingdom (2Ki 3:1-3). But these half-measures did not satisfy the demands of the time, and in the revolution which followed both he and his dynasty were swept away. The dynasty had lasted, according to the Biblical account, less than half a century.
6. Revolution:
The religious reformation, or rather revolution, which swept away almost entirely both royal houses, bears a good deal of resemblance to the Wahhabi rising in Arabia at the beginning of the 18th century. It took its origin from prophetism (1Ki 19:16), and was supported by the Rechabite Jonadab. The object of the movement headed by Jehu was nominally to revenge the prophets of Yahweh put to death by order of Jezebel, but in reality it was much wider and aimed at nothing less than rooting out the Baal-worship altogether, and enforcing a return to the primitive faith and worship. Just as the Wahhabis went back to Mohammed's doctrine, as contained in the Koran and the Tradition, and as the Rechabites preserved the simplicity of the early desert life, so Jehu went back to the state of things as they were at the foundation of the Northern Kingdom under Jeroboam I.
7. IVth Dynasty:
Jehu's reforms were carried out to the letter, and the whole dynasty of Omri, which was responsible for the innovations, was annihilated like its predecessors. The religious fervor, however, soon subsided, and Jehu's reign ended in disaster. Hazael, whose armies had been exterminated by the forces of Assyria, turned his attention to the eastern territory of Israel. In the turbulent land of Gilead, the home of Elijah, disappointed in its hopes of Jehu, he quickly established his supremacy (2Ki 10:32 ). Jehu also appreciated the significance of the victories of Assyria, and was wise enough to send tribute to Shalmaneser II. This was in the year 842. Under his son and successor Jehoahaz the fortunes of Israel continued to decline, until Hazael imposed upon it the most humiliating conditions (Am 1:3-5; 2Ki 13:1 ).
8. Renewed Prosperity:
Toward the end of the reign of Jehoahaz, however, the tide began to turn, under the leadership of a military genius whose name has not been recorded (2Ki 13:5); and the improvement continued, after the death of Hazael, under his son Jehoash (Joash), who even besieged and plundered Jerusalem (2Ki 14:8 ). But it was not until the long reign of Jeroboam II, son of Jehoash, that the frontiers of Israel, were, for the first time since the beginning of the kingdom, restored to their ideal limits. Even Damascus and Hamath were subdued (2Ki 14:28). But the prosperity was superficial. Jeroboam II stood at the head of a military oligarchy, who crushed the great mass of the people under them. The tribune of the plebs at this time was Amos of Tekoa. His Cassandra-like utterances soon fulfilled themselves. The dynasty, which had been founded in blood and had lasted some 90 years, on the accesssion of Jeroboam's son Zachariah gave place to 12 years of anarchy.
9. Anarchy:
Zachariah was almost immediately assassinated by Shallum, who within a month was in turn assassinated by Menahem, a soldier of the tribe of Gad, stationed in Tirzah, to avenge the death of his master. The low social condition of Israel at this time is depicted in the pages of Hos. The atrocities perpetrated by the soldiers of Menahem are mentioned by Josephus (Ant., IX, xi, 1).
III. Decline and Fall.
1. Loss of Independence:
Meantime Pul or Pulu had founded the second Assyrian empire under the name of Tiglath-pileser III. Before conquering Babylonia, he broke the Independ power of the Hittites in the West, and made himself master of the routes leading to the Phoenician seaports. As the eclipse of the Assyrian power had allowed the expansion of Israel under Jeroboam II, so its revival now crushed the independence of the nation forever. Menahem bought stability for his throne by the payment of an immense bribe of 1,000 talents of silver, or $2,000,000, reckoning the silver talent at $2,000. The money was raised by means of an assessment of 50 talents each upon all the men of known wealth. The payment of this tribute is mentioned on the Assyrian monuments, the date being 738.
2. Decline:
Menahem reigned 10 years. His son Pekahiah was, soon after his accession, assassinated by one of his own captains, Pekah, son of Remaliah, who established himself, with the help of some Gileadites, as king. He formed an alliance with Rezin of Damascus against Israel, defeating Ahaz in two pitched battles, taking numerous captives, and even reaching the walls of Jerusalem. The result was disastrous to both allies. Ahaz called in the aid of the Assyrians. Tiglath-pileser put an end to the kingdom of Damascus, and deported the inhabitants of Northern and Eastern Palestine. The kingdom of Israel was reduced to the dimensions of the later province of Samaria. Pekah himself was assassinated by Hoshea, who became king under the tutelage of the Assyrian overlord. The depopulated provinces were filled with colonists from the conquered countries of the East. The year is 734 BC.
3. Extinction:
Hoshea was never an independent king, but the mere vassal of Assyria. He was foolish enough to withhold the annual tribute, and to turn to Egypt for succor. Meanwhile, Tiglath-pileser III had been succeeded by Shalmaneser IV. This king laid siege to Samaria, but died during the siege. The city was taken by his successor Sargon, who had seized the throne, toward the end of the year 722.
4. Summary:
The Northern Kingdom had lasted 240 years, which fall into three periods of about 80 years each, the middle period being the period of the Syrian wars. As it was fully formed when it broke off from the Southern Kingdom, its history shows no development or evolution, but is made up of undulations of prosperity and of decline. It was at its best immediately after its foundation, and again under Jeroboam II. It was strong under Baasha, Omri and Ahab, but generally weak under the other kings. Every change of dynasty meant a period of anarchy, when the country was at the mercy of every invader. The fortunes of Israel depended entirely on those of Assyria. When Assyria was weak, Israel was strong. Given the advance of Assyria, the destruction of Israel was certain. This was necessary and was clearly foreseen by Hosea (9:3, etc.). The wonder is that the little state, surrounded by such powerful neighbors, lasted as long as it did.
LITERATURE.
The most important works are Ewald, Geschichte des Volkes Israel (English Translation by Martineau and Glover); Wellhausen, Geschichte Israels; Derenbourg, Essai sur l'histoire.... de la Palestine; and there are many more. Ewald is best known to English readers through the medium of Dean Stanley's Lectures on the History of the Jewish Church. See further under CHRONOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; ISRAEL, and articles on individual kings.
Written by Thomas Hunter Weir
See ISRAEL, HISTORY OF
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