The Hebrew kingdom described in the Bible existed in the 11th-10th centuries. BC e. This period includes the reign of the kings Saul, David and Solomon. Under them, the Jewish people lived in a single powerful centralized state.
The Age of Judges
The history of Palestine of those distant times is associated with many myths and legends, the veracity of which continues to be argued by historians and researchers of ancient sources. The Hebrew kingdom is best known for the Old Testament, which describes the events of the mentioned era.
Before the emergence of a single state, the Jews lived under the leadership of judges. They were elected from among the most authoritative and wise members of society, but at the same time they did not have actual power, but only resolved internal conflicts between residents. At the same time, the Jews were in constant danger from aggressive nomad neighbors. The main threat was the Philistines.
Election of Saul as king
About 1029 BC. e. the worried people demanded from the prophet Samuel (one of the judges) to elect the most worthy kingcandidate. The sage at first dissuaded his fellow tribesmen, convincing them that the power of the military leader would turn into dictatorship and terror. Nevertheless, the common people groaned from the invasions of enemies and continued to insist on their own.
Finally, according to the Bible, Samuel turned to God for advice, who answered that the young man Saul from the tribe of Benjamin should become king. It was the smallest of the Jewish families. Soon the prophet brought the pretender to the thirsty people. Then it was decided to cast lots to confirm the correctness of the choice of the king. He did point to Saul. This is how the Hebrew kingdom appeared.
Prosperity of Israel
The early years of Saul's reign were a time of relief for all his people. The military leader gathered and organized an army that was able to defend the fatherland from enemies. During armed conflicts, the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Idumea were defeated. The confrontation with the Philistines was especially fierce.
The Sovereign was distinguished by religiosity. He dedicated each of his victories to God, without whom, in his opinion, the Hebrew kingdom would have perished long ago. The history of his wars against his neighbors is described in detail in the Bible. It also reveals the character of the young Saul. He was not only religious, but also a very humble person. In his spare time from power, the sovereign himself cultivated the field, showing that he was no different from the inhabitants of his country.
Conflict between king and prophet
After one of the campaigns between Saul and Samuel there was a quarrel. It was caused by a blasphemous actking. On the eve of the battle with the Philistines, he himself performed the sacrifice, while he did not have the right to do so. Only the clergy, or rather Samuel, could do this. There was a gap between the king and the prophet, which became the first signal of the onset of difficult times.
Samuel, who left the courtyard, was disappointed in Saul. He decided that he put the wrong person on the throne. God (whose remarks are often found in the Bible) agreed with the clergyman and offered him a new candidate. They became the young David, whom Samuel secretly anointed to reign.
David
The young man had many talents and amazing features. He was an excellent warrior and musician. His abilities became known at the court of the king. Saul at this time began to suffer bouts of melancholy. The priests advised him to treat this disease with the help of music. So David appeared at the court, playing the harp for the ruler.
Soon approaching the king glorified himself with another feat. David joined the Israelite army when another war began against the Philistines. In the camp of the enemy, the most terrible warrior was Goliath. This descendant of giants possessed gigantic stature and strength. David challenged him to a personal duel and defeated him with his dexterity and sling. As a sign of victory, the young man cut off the head of the defeated giant. This episode is one of the most famous and quoted in the entire Bible.
The victory over Goliath made David the favorite of the people. Between him and Saul there was a conflict that escalated into a civil war,that shook the Hebrew kingdom. At the same time, the Philistines were again operating in Palestine. They defeated Saul's army, and he himself committed suicide, not wanting to be captured by the enemy.
New king
So in 1005 B. C. e. David became king. Even at the court of Saul, he married his daughter, thus becoming the son-in-law of the monarch. It was under David that the capital of the Hebrew kingdom was transferred to Jerusalem, which has since become the heart of all people's life. The new sovereign patronized urban development and beautification of the provinces.
The location of the Hebrew kingdom at that time remains a matter of debate. If we refer to the Bible, then we can assume that the borders of Israel ran from Gaza to the banks of the Euphrates. Like other rulers of the Hebrew kingdom, David waged successful wars against his neighbors. The nomads were repeatedly thrown back from the borders when they started another campaign with robberies and bloodshed.
However, not all of David's reign was cloudless and calm. The country again had to go through a civil war. This time, David's own son Absalom rebelled against the central government. He encroached on the throne of his father, although he had no right to it. In the end, his army was defeated, and the prodigal son himself was killed by the king's servants, which was contrary to the orders of the king.
Solomon
When David grew old and decrepit, the question of succession to the throne again sharply arose. The king wanted to transfer powerone of his younger sons Solomon: he was distinguished by wisdom and ability to govern. The choice of father was not liked by another eldest offspring - Adoniy. He even tried to organize a coup d'état by arranging his own coronation during the life of his incapacitated father.
However, Adoniah's attempt failed. Because of his cowardice, he fled to the Tabernacle. Solomon forgave his brother after his repentance. At the same time, other participants in the conspiracy from among the officials and close associates were executed. The kings of the Hebrew kingdom firmly held power in their hands.
Construction of the Temple in Jerusalem
After the death of David, the actual reign of Solomon began (965-928 BC). This was the heyday of the Hebrew kingdom. The country was reliably protected from external threats and developed steadily and grew rich.
The main act of Solomon was the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem - the main shrine of Judaism. This religious building symbolized the unification of the whole people. David did a great job of preparing materials and creating a plan. Shortly before his death, he handed over all the papers to his son.
Solomon began building in the fourth year of his reign. He turned for help to the king of the Phoenician city of Tyre. Famous and talented architects came from there, who supervised the direct work on the construction of the temple. The main religious building of the Jews became part of the royal palace. It was located on a mountain called the Temple. On the day of consecration in 950year BC e. the main national relic, the Ark of the Covenant, was transferred to the building. The Jews celebrated the completion of construction for two weeks. The temple became the center of religious life, where pilgrims from all the Jewish provinces flocked.
Death of Solomon in 928 BC e. put an end to the prosperity of a single state. The successors of the sovereign divided the state among themselves. Since then, there has been a northern kingdom (Israel) and a southern kingdom (Judah). The era of Saul, David and Solomon is considered the golden age of the entire Jewish people.
