A Brief History of Isreal
The Patriarchs
There were many tribes that moved freely from one place to another in the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Scholars believe that there was some exchange of ideas, world views, and religions and there was no one group that was dominant over the others. During this time many of the group started to settle in Palestine.
Moses and the Conquest of the Land
Israel’s distinctive faith and identity as a people begins with Moses. Those who had come from the desert with Moses were a fairly small group. Their flight from slavery in Egypt and the years they spent in the desert had led them to a faith that was unlike any other in the ancient world. When the group entered Palestine they were joined by others already living there. Most of these people came from the lowest levels of society, they were not artisans or aristocrats. This diverse group, joined together by a common faith in God, gradually gained control of the interior of Palestine.
The Time of the Judges
For about 200 years, this loosely knit group of tribes kept there bond with each other without any form of government. What united them was the mobile shrine, the Ark of Covenant. Members of all the tribes would gather together around the Ark to renew their covenant with their God. There were no permanent leaders who governed the tribes together. When the need arose judges would be raised up to lead the people.
The Creation of Monarchy and an Empire
When the Philistines began to gain power, this loose tribal system no longer worked. The Philistines were a military aristocracy. They stole the Ark of the Covenant and killed or scattered the priests and scattered the tribal forces. Many people thought that the defeat would be permanent unless the tribes were united under a monarch to hold them together in a common and lasting stand against that enemy. Saul was chosen as king. He drove back the Philistine army but he could not defeat them completely. David finally forced the Philistines to admit
There were many tribes that moved freely from one place to another in the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Scholars believe that there was some exchange of ideas, world views, and religions and there was no one group that was dominant over the others. During this time many of the group started to settle in Palestine.
Moses and the Conquest of the Land
Israel’s distinctive faith and identity as a people begins with Moses. Those who had come from the desert with Moses were a fairly small group. Their flight from slavery in Egypt and the years they spent in the desert had led them to a faith that was unlike any other in the ancient world. When the group entered Palestine they were joined by others already living there. Most of these people came from the lowest levels of society, they were not artisans or aristocrats. This diverse group, joined together by a common faith in God, gradually gained control of the interior of Palestine.
The Time of the Judges
For about 200 years, this loosely knit group of tribes kept there bond with each other without any form of government. What united them was the mobile shrine, the Ark of Covenant. Members of all the tribes would gather together around the Ark to renew their covenant with their God. There were no permanent leaders who governed the tribes together. When the need arose judges would be raised up to lead the people.
The Creation of Monarchy and an Empire
When the Philistines began to gain power, this loose tribal system no longer worked. The Philistines were a military aristocracy. They stole the Ark of the Covenant and killed or scattered the priests and scattered the tribal forces. Many people thought that the defeat would be permanent unless the tribes were united under a monarch to hold them together in a common and lasting stand against that enemy. Saul was chosen as king. He drove back the Philistine army but he could not defeat them completely. David finally forced the Philistines to admit