History of Ancient Israel

King David (1010-970 BCE)

Oct 10, 1001

King David was the second king of Israel. After the previous king, Saul, and his son were killed in battle, david was made the new king. David either defeated or alligned with surrounding nations during his regin. This gave Israel the oppertunity to prosper, David also chose the captured city of Jerusalem to be the new capital and this is where the Ark of the Covenant would reside.

King Solomon

Jul 9, 1002

King Solomon, son of David, created a glorious temple that would be the permanent home for the Ark. While this building occured Solomon gained a large amount of wealth at his people's expense. This angered the lordand he then divided the country in Israel and Judah (those who would still follow the line of David).

Asyrians (722 BCE)

Sep 30, 1003

After the northern kingdom of Israel became so corrupt, it is said that god allowed the Assyrians to invade the land. To hault repopulation and rebellion many of the Jews were sent to exhile among the Gentiles. These are known as the "Ten lost Tribes".

Babylonians (586 BCE)

Sep 30, 1004

After years of warning, finally in 586 BCE King Nebuchadnezzar battered down the walls of Jerusalem and set fire to its buildings. The temple of the Ark was destroyed and many Jews were sent to exhile in Babylonia.

Persians (515 BCE)

Sep 30, 1005

King Cyrus allowed any and all Jews to leave Babylonia and return to Jerusalem and he also authorized the rebuilding of the Great Temple. Many Jews although, did not return to Judah, they remained living abroad or in Diaspora.

Ezra (430 BCE)

Sep 30, 1006

Ezra was a priest and a scribe and he also lead the way in a new "priestly class". A new emphasis was put on the Torah and editing began to help reveal even more of the hand of God.

The Greeks

Sep 30, 1007

As the Diaspora helped Judaism reach around the ancient world it is believed that it borrowed many ideas from Persian, Greek, Parthian and Roman cultures. But Greek lifestyle was one of the few that stood directly against the Jewish thought of unquestioning belief. Many wealthy Jews actually began to live much more of a Hellenistic lifestyle.

Antiochus IV (175-164 BCE)

Sep 30, 1008

A Hellenistic ruler of Syria, he tried to force a single way of Hellenistic living upon the people of Israel. Antiochus burned Torahs, killed families with circumcised sons, and built a statue of Zeus in the Temple of Jerusale.

Maccabees (164 BCE)

Sep 30, 1009

The Hasmon family of Priest (known as Maccabees in Hebrew) gained some independence for Judea with their revolt. The revolt established an independent kingdom that was called Israel. It was ruled by the Hasmonean family.

Hasmonean Family (164-63 BCE)

Sep 30, 1010

Under the Hasmonean family three sects of of Jews formed in Judea. A sect (Sadducees) of wealthy priests and businessmen formed with the intent to preserve the law. A second sect, Pharisees, were a more liberal population from a wider variety of classes. Essenes were a much more isolated group who believed in discipline and preparation for the Day of Judgement.

The Romans (63-next four centuries BCE)

Sep 30, 1011

After a civil war broke out in Judea, the Roman general Pompey was asked to chose the next ruler of Judea. Instead of choosing the new leader Pompey took the throne.Following Pompey's ascencion were four centuries of harsh Roman rule.

Messiah (Roughly; 165 - turn of the new era BCE-CE)

Sep 30, 1012

During Roman and Greek oppression apocalyptic belief and literature became much more popular among Jews. The Messianic age revolved around God's defeat of evil and "good" people's redemption. Some Jews did beleive that Jesus was the Messiah but most do not.

1st Rebellion against the Romans (66 CE)

Sep 30, 1013

Spurred on by the anti-Roman militia, Zealots, many other Jews rose up against the Roman in a valliant fight. Unfortunately, the revolt was crushed and almost all Jews involved were executed in the city of Jerusalem.

2nd rebellion against the Romans (132-135 CE)

Sep 30, 1014

A second rebellion against the Romans took place, but this revolt ended much worse than the first. Jerusalem was burned to the ground along with most other Judean cities. Any Jews who had not been executed were forbidden to read the Torah and the Temple of Jerusalem was diminished to only a Western Wall that still stands today.