Biblical Study: The Age of Kings and Prophets

Following the legendary reigns of King Saul and King David, the monarchy passed to David's son Solomon. Well renown for his wisdom, Solomon built the first temple to honor God and establish Israeli respect within the Mesopotamia region. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah later split after his reign however both endured many foreign wars. The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah prospered from 1000 BC to 600 BC with a total of 42 kings throughout this 400 year period. They were eventually conquered by the Neo-Babylonian empire under Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC and put into captivity for some time. They were later freed by Cyrus the Great in 538 BC to return to their homes as a Persian vassal state. 

A new Israeli dynasty was briefly established in 140 BC when the Hasmoneans defeated the Seleucid Empire. As this point in history both the Greek and Persian empires were on the fall to the rise of the Roman Empire. Israel established an alliance with Rome, which allowed them to have their own monarchy for 103 years. That is until they became a puppet state of the Roman Empire in 37 BC during the reign of King Herod the Great. During this time insurgency arose once again, however the Romans ultimately crushed the resistance. In 70 AD the Romans lay siege to Jerusalem and destroyed their second temple which marked an abrupt end to Jewish influence in the land of Israel. 

During this age of kings, the prophets also played a key role as leaders and consultants. They were considered the voices of God, and would often relay this message to the king and the people. One of the most important of these prophets was Samuel, the king-maker. It was he who helped establish the kingdom of Israel by guiding both Saul and David. He was then followed by Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, and many others thru the early portions of the monarchy. At various stages throughout Israeli history these prophets were considered as leaders of the people.

The Reign of Solomon

The son of David and Bathsheba, Solomon became the 4th king of Israel and considered as one of the greatest. He was not a war tyrant like his predecessors but rather a devout prophet of great wisdom. For this reason God chose him to build the first temple that would host the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. His wealth and wisdom became famous throughout the land, as demonstrated by the ceremonial visit of Queen of Sheba. Perhaps one of his most famous trials of judgement was when he heard the case of the two women. One had lost a child and accused the other of stealing it. In order to seek the truth Solomon suggested the child be killed, and therefore the true mother revealed herself in her love and emotion for her child. 

Aside from his wisdom, wealth, and various construction projects (such as his lavish throne) Solomon also dealt with internal enemies. The first of these enemies was his brother Adonijah, and the commander Joab who had wronged Solomon's father David on various occasions. Joab was eventually killed by Solomon's new appointed military commander Benaiah. Perhaps Solomon's greatest sin was the numerous wives and concubines he took, some of which turned him away from God. This was because he had taken on foreign wives, from the lands of Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, Hittites, and Egyptians who worshiped other gods. According to the bible Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. He reigned for 40 years and passed the monarchy to his son Rehoboam.   

The Split of Israel and Judah

The land of Israel and Judah were united under the reign of King David, however there was still tension amongst the two. After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam quickly lost favor with the northern Israelites. Israel thus declared their own king, in Jeorboam who lead a revolt against King Rehoboam. After nearly 20 years of civil war, the Israelites left the House of David (in Judah) to establish their own kingdom (Israel), with their new capital in the city of Samaria. Thus there were now two kings of the Hebrews; Rehoboam reigned the Kingdom of Judah from 922-915 BC, while Jeroboam reigned the Kingdom of Israel from 922-901 BC.  

The Book of Kings then goes on to describe the reign of each king during this historical period. It's quite fascinating at this point, since these are all indeed historical kings that deal with historical issues. The bible however demonstrates that each king's reign was decided not upon their merit, but rather their faith in God. Thus a good majority of the kings of Israel and even Judah did evil in the eyes of the lord and for the reason their people suffered. One of the more favorable gods of the Israelites was Jehu (841-814 BC) for having destroyed the cult and temple of Baal. The Kingdom of Israel was the first to be conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC under the reign of King Hoshea.   

It seems clear in the Book of Kings and Chronicles, that God took favor with the Kingdom of Judah over Israel. There are far more "good" kings of Judah then there are of Israel, Such as King Asa (911-870 BC) who rooted out idolatry and defeated the Ethiopians. His son Jehoshaphat (870-849 BC) who solidified the Kingdom of Judah against it's enemies such as Israel as well strengthening the laws of Moses. The King Jotham (740-732 BC), who honored God by expanding the Temple and fought successful wars against the Arameans and the Ammons. King Hezekiah (739-687 BC) who also helped improve the temple, destroy any forms of idolatry, and defeated the enemy Philistines. Hezekiah was also able to make peace with the Assyrians in 701 BC. King Josiah (640-609) also made significant contributions and reforms to the Jewish law of God. Zedekiah was the last king of Judah, after it was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC and the temple was destroyed.

The Kings of Israel and Judah

United Monarchy

• Saul  (1020-1000 BC) 
• Ish-Bosheth (1000-998 BC) 
• David (1000-962 BC)
• Solomon (962-922 BC)
• Rehoboam (922-915 BC)
  

Kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom)

• 
  Jeroboam (922-901 BC)
• Nadab (901-900 BC)
• Baasha (900-877 BC)
• Elah (877-876 BC)
• Zimri (876-885 BC)
• Tibni (876-885 BC)
• Omri (876-869 BC)
• Ahab (850-849 BC)
• Ahaiah (850-849 BC)
• Joram (849-842 BC)
• Jehu (842-815 BC)
• Jehoahaz (815-801 BC)
• Jehoash (801-786 BC)
• Jeroboam II (786-746 BC)
• Zachariah (746 BC)
• Shallum (745 BC)
• Menahem (745-738 BC)
• Pekahiah (738-737 BC)
• Pekah (737-732 BC)
• Hoshea (732-722 BC) 

Kingdom of Judah (Southern Kingdom)

• 
  Abijah (915-913 BC)
• Asa (913-873 BC)
• Jehoshaphat (873-849 BC)
• Jehoram (849-842 BC)
• Ahaziah (842 BC)
• Athaliah (842-837 BC)
• Jehoash (837-800 BC)
• Amaziah (800-783 BC)
  
• Uzziah (783-742 BC)
• Jotham (742-735 BC)
• Ahaz (735-715 BC)
• Hezekiah (715-687 BC)
• Manasseh (687-642 BC)
• Amon (642-640)
• Josiah (640-609 BC)
• Jeoahaz (609 BC)
• Jehoiakim (609-598 BC)
• Jehoicachin (598 BC)
• Zedekiah (597-587 BC)

Babylonian Captivity

The destruction of Solomon's Temple in 597 BC by the Babylonian Empire marked an end to both the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. None of which would return to their former glory yet rather a vassal state of larger empires. The majority of Jewish population were deported into Babylon in 2 waves. 1st in 597 when Nebuchadnezzar sieged the city of Jerusalem, took some prisoners, while allowing the state to remain and pay him tribute. Then in 587 Nebuchadnezzar returned to destroy the city outright, under King Zedekiah, after it failed to pay him proper tributes. Although the entire city of Jerusalem was deported into Babylon, the rural pockets of Judah were able to remain. It is estimated that 25% (20,000) Jews were sent into exile.

However it should be noted that although they were uprooted from their homeland, they were not entirely made into slaves (as they were in Egypt). Most of the Jews were allocated to the outskirts of the city, where some lived a privileged life, while others were forced to work in agriculture or labor camps. Nonetheless they were still able to practice their religious beliefs and Mosaic traditions. In 539 BC, Cyrus the Great led his Persian army to conquer the Babylonian Empire of which he later freed the Jews. After 60 years in exile the Jews were able to return to their homeland, however as a vassal state of the Persian Empire.

The Second Temple

Upon returning to the land of Israel the Jews no longer had kings to lead them, yet rather high priests and prophets. One of the first notable leaders was Zerubbabel, his prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and his high priest Joshua who began construction on the Second Temple from 521-516 BC. The laws and practices of the Jewish people were later enforced by the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra emphasized the importance of the Torah and to not interact with foreigners, while Nehemiah also implemented religious reforms and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Although their state was still under Persian control, the Jewish solidified their religious law and practice during this period.

Perhaps one of the most well known biblical stories also occurred during this time, that of Esther. Whether fictional or historical it served as a great allegory to the presence of God during trying times. She became wife to the Persian King Ahasuerus (otherwise known as Xerxes) and was able to convince him from saving the Jews from the wrath of the wicked advisor Haman. After being offended by the Jewish advisor Mordecai, Haman plotted to kill all the Jews, however thanks to Esther the King intervened and had Haman executed. This triumph later became celebrated in the Jewish festival of Purim, giving praise to God for surviving annihilation at the hands of the Persians. 

The Prophets

During this age of Kings throughout the Old Testament there were several important prophets who imposed the will of God to the Israelites. They often served at the hand of the king or as influential elder priests who oversaw the law of God. There were four major prophets and twelve minor prophets before and after the exile. The four major prophets were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel (all with books of their own. The twelve minor were Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

• 
  Joel (850 BC) - Prophesized on the plague of locusts
• Jonah (800 BC)- He disobeyed God's call to preach to the city of Nineveh, and thus was punished by being swallowed by a whale. For three days he dwelt within the whale, and prayed to God until he was released. 
  
• Amos (780-755 BC)- Spoke out against the social injustice against the poor and the corruption of the wealthy
• Hosea (760-710 BC)- Spoke out against idolatry and prophesized the doom of northern Israel.
• Micah (740 BC)- Prophesized against social injustice, the downfall of Israel, and the birth of a messiah in Bethlehem.  
• Isaiah (740-680 BC)- One of the most well known of the prophets thru his Book of Isaiah. He prophesizes on the coming of the Messiah, of his death and the resurrection. He warned Israel from it's sins and it's downfalls and looked to a new savior to bring them salvation. 
• Nahum (666-615 BC)- Prophesized the downfall of the Assyrian empire and the city of Nineveh to bring comfort to the Jews
• Zephaniah (630-620 BC)- He prophesized the destruction of Jerusalem if the people did not repent
• Habakkuk (627-587 BC)- Prays for the injustices and questions why God allows evil to occur
• Jeremiah (626-580 BC)- The author of the Book of Jeremiah and Lamentations he is considered the weeping prophet for his prophecies on the fall of Jerusalem due to their disobedience to God. 
• Daniel (604-535 BC)- Known as an interpreter of dreams, he consulted the King Nebuchadnezzar before he was thrown into a lion's den for not worshiping him. Daniel is saved by the grace of God, and then goes on to prophesize on the coming of a new Messiah in his Book of Daniel.
• 
  Ezekiel (593-570 BC)- Prophesized the restoration of the Israelites thru visions, including his most famous one in the Valley of Dry Bones. In this vision he saw the dry bones of the dead rising up to life, to symbolize the resurrection of Israel. 
• Obadiah (585 BC)- He condemned the nation of Edom for their wickedness towards Israel, as well as the message of humility
  
• Haggai (520 BC)- He is best known for encouraging the Israelites to rebuild the Second Temple after returning from Babylonian captivity
• Zechariah (520-518 BC)- He also urged the construction of the Second Temple, and shared his visions of God's plans to restore Israel thru a Messiah
• Malachi (450-400 BC)- Called the Israelites into repentance and prophesized on the coming of a messenger (John the Baptist) who would prepare the way for the lord.

The Maccabean Revolt

In the Book of Maccabees the rise of Alexander the Great is recounted who conquered the Persian Empire. The region of Israel then became a state of the Ptolemaic Kingdom (which was the Greek-Egyptian kingdom of Alexander). Israel remains under Ptolemaic control from 300-200 BC until they are conquered by the Seleucid Empire (also a former kingdom of Alexander). It is at this point that the Jews rise up again to lead a revolt to restore their monarchy. They are led by Judas Maccabeus in the year 167 BC in what is known as the Maccbean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire which lasted until 141 BC.

The bible recounts how Judas Maccabeus and his brothers Jonathan and Simon prayer to God to deliver them victory as he once did with Moses, Joshua, and David. Thru various battles and over twenty years of fighting the Israelite rebels are finally able to achieve independence in 141 BC. The first feast of of Hanukkah is celebrated to commemorate the recapture of Jerusalem and the Second Temple from Seleucid control. Simon is able to secure a peaceful alliance with the Roman Republic and establishes the Hasmonean Kingdom in Israel. From 104-37 BC there are 6 more kings to reign over Israel, until they are once again subjugated this time by the Roman Republic.     

The Roman Destruction of Jerusalem

In 37 BC King Antigonus II Mattathias became the last king of Judea until he is overthrown by Herod the Great at the behest of the Roman Republic. Thru strong ties with Julius Caesar, Herod becomes appointed as 1st governor of the newly established province of Rome. Despite helping bring an end to the Hasmonean Dynasty, Herod is still a devout Jew and makes great contributions to the city of Jerusalem. He renovates and expands the Second Temple by building the Western Wall in 19 BC (which still stands to this day). However Herod is often criticized as a great villain during the Nativity Story, by which he seeks to hunt this coming Messiah and slaughter thousands of innocent children. After Herod's death in 4 BC the kingdom of Judea was further divided into smaller Roman provinces among his sons. 

By this point the Roman Republic had transformed into a Roman Empire under Augustus by which Roman prefects oversaw the affairs of Judea. It is also quite significant that during this time Jesus of Nazareth began his life (approx. 4 BC-33 AD) considered as the new Messiah of God. His ministry took a significant hold throughout Jerusalem, of which he was later executed by Jewish elders. However Jesus' religious movement (that would eventually inspire the spread of Christianity), was merely at the backdrop of a rising political insurgency throughout Judea. 

Known as zealots, many insurgents throughout Judea began to publicly oppose Roman occupation. This wave of Jewish nationalism grew after Herod's death with a desire to replicate the successful Maccabean Revolution over the Seleucid Empire 200 years earlier. The first Jewish outbreak of rebellion against the Romans occurred in 66 AD which brought a start to the Jewish-Roman War of 66-74 AD. The Jews achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Beth Horon to briefly establish it's own government in Jerusalem. However it was quickly crushed by the Roman armies under the command of Vespasian and Emperor Titus. In 70 AD the Siege of Jerusalem occurred which destroyed the second temple and once again completely subjugated the Jews. This marked a major turning point in Jewish history, where they were sent into a diaspora away from Israel.