Studies in Old Testament History Part 10

2.) _The House of Baasha_ (B. C. 953-929), two kings, followed by a civil war (1 Kings 16. 16-22).

3.) _The House of Omri_ (B. C. 929-884), four kings, of whom Omri and Ahab were the most powerful. This was the age of the prophet Elijah and the great struggle between the wors.h.i.+p of Jehovah and of Baal (1 Kings 18. 4-21).

4.) _The House of Jehu_ (B. C. 884-772), five kings, under whom were great changes of fortune. The reign of Jehoahaz saw Israel reduced to a mere province of Syria (2 Kings 13. 1-9). His son Joash threw off the Syrian yoke, and _his_ son, Jeroboam II., raised Israel almost to its condition of empire in the days of Solomon (2 Kings 14. 23-29). His reign is called "the Indian summer of Israel."

5.) _The House of Menahem_ (B. C. 772-759), two reigns. Israel had by this time fallen under the power of a.s.syria, now dominant over the East, and its history is the story of kings rising and falling in rapid succession, with long intervals of anarchy. From the fall of this dynasty there was only the semblance of a state until the final destruction of Samaria, B. C. 721.

5. =Its foreign relations.= During the period of the Israelite kingdom we see lands struggling for the dominion of the East. The history of Israel is interwoven with that of Syria and a.s.syria, which may now be read from the monuments.

1.) There was a _Period of Division_ (B. C. 975-929). During the reign of the houses of Jeroboam and Baasha there were constant wars between Israel, Syria, and Judah; and as a result all were kept weak, and "a balance of power" was maintained.

2.) Then followed a _Period of Alliance_ (B. C. 929-884)--that is, between Israel and Judah, during the sway of the House of Omri. The two lands were in friendly relations, and the two thrones were connected by marriages. As a result both Israel and Judah were strong, Moab and Edom were kept under control, and Syria was held in check.

3.) Next came the _Period of Syrian Ascendency_ (B. C. 884-840). During the first two reigns of the House of Jehu Syria rose to great power tinder Hazael, and overran both Israel and Judah. At one time Israel was in danger of utter destruction, but was preserved. Near the close of these periods the dying prophecy of Elisha was uttered (2 Kings 13.

14-25).

4.) _The Period of Israelite Ascendency_ (B. C. 840-772). Israel under Jeroboam II. took its turn of power, and for a brief period was again dominant to the Euphrates, as in the days of Solomon.

5.) _The Period of a.s.syrian Ascendency_ (B. C. 772-721). But its glory soon faded away before that of a.s.syria, which was now rapidly becoming the empire of the East. Its rise meant the fall of Israel; and under the unfortunate Hoshea Samaria was taken, what was left of the ten tribes were carried captive, and the kingdom of Israel was extinguished (2 Kings 17. 1-6).

IV. =THE FATE OF THE TEN TRIBES.= There has been much idle discussion over this subject and some absurd claims set up; for example, that the Anglo-Saxon race are descended from the ten lost tribes--a statement opposed to all history, to ethnology, and to every evidence of language.

1. After their deposition nearly all the Israelites, having lost their national religion and having no bond of union, =mingled with the Gentiles= around them and lost their ident.i.ty, just as hundreds of other races have done. The only bond which will keep a nation long alive is that of religion.

2. Some remained in Palestine, others returned thither and formed the =nucleus of the Samaritan people=, a race of mingled origin (2 Kings 17.

24-29).

3. Some of those who remained in the East retained their religion, or were revived in it, and later became a part of the =Jews of the dispersion=; though "the dispersion" was mainly Jewish, and not Israelite.

4. A few =families united with the Jews= returned with them to Palestine after the exile, yet retained their tribal relations.h.i.+p; for example, Anna (Luke 2. 36).

Blackboard Outline.

=I. Cau. Div.= 1. Opp. gov. 2. Opp. pro. 3. For. int. 4. Tri. jeal.

5. Am. Jer. 6. Fol. Re.

=II. Res. Div.= 1. Pol. res. 1.) Dis. emp. 2.) Riv. and weak.

3.) For. dom.

2. Rel. res. 1.) Pres. rel. 2.) Pro. rel. 3.) Conc. rel.

=III. Kin. Isr.= 1. Ext. 9,375.

2. Cap. 1.) Sh. 2.) Tir. 3.) Sam.

3. Rel. 1.) Wor. cal. 2.) Wor. Ba. 3.) Wor. Jeh.

4. Rul. 1.) Hou. Jer. 2.) Hou. Ra. 3.) Hou. Om. 4.) Hou. Je.

5.) Hou. Men.

5. For. Rel. 1.) Per. Div. 2.) Per. All. 3.) Per. Syr. Asc.

4.) Per. Isr. Asc. 5.) Per. a.s.s. Asc.

=IV. Fat. Ten. Tri.= 1. Min. Gen. 2. Sam. peo. 3. Disp.

4. Jews.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.

What causes may be a.s.signed for the division of Israel? How far was Solomon's government responsible? What was the relation of the prophets to the revolution? What foreign intrigues contributed to break up the kingdom? Who were connected with these intrigues? What ancient jealousy aided, and how? What man led in the breaking up of the kingdom? Whose folly enabled the plot to succeed?

What were the political results of the division? What were its religious results? How was this event from the Lord?

How long did the new kingdom of Israel last? What was its extent? What were its three successive capitals? What three forms of religion were found in it? Who was the first king of the ten tribes? What family introduced foreign idolatry? How many kings ruled over the ten tribes?

What were the five royal houses? Which house raised Israel almost to its ancient power? What is this period of prosperity called? Who was the greatest King of Israel? With what other history is that of Israel interwoven? What were the five periods in the foreign relations of Israel? By what kingdom was Israel destroyed? Who was its last king?

What finally became of the ten tribes?

CHART OF THE KINGS OF ISRAEL,

From the DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM TO THE CAPTIVITY Together with the Contemporaneous PROPHETS AND KINGS OF JUDAH

Subjects for Special Papers.

THE HISTORY AND TRAITS OF THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM.

SHECHEM, AND EVENTS CONNECTED WITH IT.

THE RELIGION OF THE TEN TRIBES.

QUEEN JEZEBEL AND HER INFLUENCE.

THE MISSION OF ELIJAH.

ELISHA AND HIS INFLUENCE.

CHART OF THE KINGS OF ISRAEL,

From the DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM TO THE CAPTIVITY Together wiht the Contemporaneous PROPHETS AND KINGS OF JUDAH

Years B.C. 975 970 960 950 940 930 920 910 900

DIVISION OF KINGDOM _Dynasty of Jeroboam_ --- > _Dynasty of Baasha_ Jeroboam I.[1] <> _Dynasty of Omri_ ------------+ Nadab[1] < kings="" }="" ++="" baasha[1]="" elah="" zimri="" of="" }="" +-------------------------------+="" tibni="" israel="" }="" +-----="">

--- ------------+ Ahab[1]

KINGS } Rehoboam[1]

OF } -----------------+ Abijam[1]

JUDAH } +-+ Asa[2]

+------------------------------------------+ Jehoshaphat[2]

+------------- --- Iddo ------------- Ahijah Azariah Elijah Prophets -------------------- ---- Jehu ----------- -------- Shemaiah Hanani Elisha --------------- ---- -----