History of Israel

Topic 3 History of Israel I. Deuteronomistic History II. Chronicler’s History III. Later history I. Deuteronomistic History Content    Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Tells rise and fall of Israel. Conquest – Monarchy – Exile Origin     Written c. 587 BC to explain Exile. Takes theme from “Retribution Theology” in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 30:15-20). Faithfulness to covenant brings blessing; unfaithfulness brings curses. Uses older sources/traditions – edits to illustrate theme. I. Deuteronomistic History A. Joshua: Conquest of Canaan (c. 1250-1200) 1. “Idealistic” view of Conquest a. Quick military conquest of whole land in 3 campaigns. b. Land divided among tribes. (Map of Twelve Tribes of Israel) 2. Gift of the Promised Land B. Judges: Struggle for the Land (c. 1200-1020) 1. “Realistic” view of Conquest a. Individual tribes gain foothold in midst of Canaanites. b. Continuing struggle for possession and mastery of land. c. Period of “tribal confederation” – loose league of 12 tribes. 2. “Judges’ Cycle” (Jdg. 2:11-23; BPJM, p. 22) a. b. c. d. e. Apostasy (abandoning faith – worshipped Baal) Oppression (defeat by enemy) Repentance (turning around) Deliverance (by a judge) Peace (until judge dies) 3. Judges – charismatic military heroes (Deborah; Gideon; Samson) I. Deuteronomistic History C. United Monarchy (1020-922 BC) 1. Saul (1 Sam.)         Background: Philistine threat. Map Samuel “anoints” Saul as first king. Accomplished little; disobedient; falls from favor. David is groomed as successor; kills Philistine giant Goliath. Moved capital to Jerusalem – “Zionism.” Military conquests rounded out borders. (Map) Golden Age of Israel – “Davidic theology” (2 Sam. 7). Bathsheba affair created turmoil. 2. David (2 Sam.) 3. Solomon (1 Kings 1-11)     Period of wealth and foreign trade. Built Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kgs. 6-8). Sponsored wisdom movement. High taxes; forced labor; foreign wives. I. Deuteronomistic History D. Divided Monarchy (1 & 2 Kings) Division in 922 BC (1 Kgs. 12) 1. Kingdom of Israel – North (Map of Divided Kingdoms)          10 tribes – capital at Samaria Kings arise by power – all paganizing Ahab and Jezebel – promoted Baal worship 722 BC – conquered by Assyria (2 Kgs. 17:7-8) 2 tribes – capital at Jerusalem Kings descended from David - good kings/bad kings Manasseh – worst king Josiah – major reform 587 BC – conquered by Babylonia (Exile begins) 2. Kingdom of Judah – South II. Chronicler’s History Contents   1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah. Parallels Deut. Hist., then continues. Origin   Written in post-Exilic period (c. 350 B.C.). Perspective similar to P-source. II. Chronicler’s History A. Exile (587-39 BC) 1. 2. 3. 4. Babylonian captivity National tragedy (Lam. 1) Preserved traditions; produced literature. “Judaism” emerged B. Restoration (539-333 BC) 539 – King Cyrus of Persia – liberated Jews (Ezra 1) 1. Zerubbabel – rebuilt Temple (516 BC) 2. Nehemiah – rebuilt city wall (445 BC) 3. Ezra – brought Torah (Law of Moses) to Jerusalem (398 BC) III. Later History A. Hellenistic period (333-166 BC) 1. 2. 3. 4. 333 – Alexander the Great conquered Palestine. Jews ruled by his successors 167 – Antiochus IV persecuted Jews Book of Daniel (c. 165 BC)   Call to faithfulness and assurance of God’s ultimate victory. Prob. the latest book of OT. B. Maccabean Revolt & Hasmonean period (166-63 BC) 1. Successful rebellion; achieved Jewish independence. 2. Hasmonean dynasty brought most of Palestine under Jewish control. (Map) 3. 1 & 2 Maccabees – describe persecution and revolt.