Israelite Kingdoms

The Israelite kingdoms refer to the ancient divided states of Israel and Judah that existed after the united monarchy of Saul, David, and Solomon. Around 930 BCE, the kingdom split into Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Israel was eventually conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BCE, leading to the loss of its independent identity. Judah persisted until it was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, resulting in the Babylonian exile. These kingdoms played pivotal roles in Jewish history, shaping religious beliefs, culture, and identity, with Jerusalem and the Temple as central symbols.