1. TIME.

From the anointing of Saul, 1095 B. C., to the captivity of Judah, 587 B. C.

2. SCRIPTURE.

More books are devoted to the history of this period than that of any other, yet it was not as long in time. The last twenty-one Chapters of First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, First and Second Chronicles, Job, most of the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah.

3. GOVERNMENT.

The government during this period was Royal. During the rule of the judges Israel became dissatisfied and wanted to be under the government of a king, like the heathen nations around them. God permitted Israel to choose a king, but the king was under the direct control of the Lord to whom these people belonged.

4. SUBDIVISIONS.

(1) The United Kingdom. — 1 Sam. 1:1 - 1 Kings 11:43.

The United Kingdom continued 120 years, Saul, David and Solomon reigning each 40 years. The kingdom properly began with David, as Saul was not from the kingly line of the Tribe of Judah. During David's reign the promise that the land of Israel should extend from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates was fulfilled.

(2) The Divided Kingdom. — 1 Kings 12:1 - Kings 18:12.

Near the close of Solomon's reign he made his service and taxes so burdensome that after his death his son Rehoboam was not able to hold the United Kingdom under the same system of taxation. In 975 the Ten Tribes of the north appointed a king from their own number, and or ganized an independent kingdom. Nineteen kings reigned over this Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Kingdom of the Two Tribes in the south was called Judah.

(3) The Declining Kingdom. — 2 Kings 18:13 - 25:30.

In 721 B. C. the Assyrians destroyed Samaria, the capital of Israel, and carried the Ten Tribes captive. The Kingdom of Judah continued 134 years after the captivity of the Ten Tribes, and was ruled by twenty different kings. The first company from Judah was taken captive by the Chaldeans in 606 B. C., the second company in 598 B. C., and in 587 B. C. the Temple at Jerusalem was destroyed and the rest of the people carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.

5. EVENTS.

(1) The Anointing of Saul, 1095 B. C. — 1 Sam. 10:1-13.

(2) The Dedication of the Temple, 1006 B. C. — 1 Kings 8:1-6.

(3) The Division of the Kingdom, 975 B. C. — 1 Kings 12:1-21.

(4) The Captivity of the Ten Tribes, 721 B. C. — 2 Kings 17:6-41.

6. CHIEF CHARACTERS.

(1) David, the organizer of the kingdom.

(2) Solomon, the builder of the temple.

(3) Elijah, the representative prophet.

(4) Isaiah, the savior of Judah.

(5) Jeremiah, the weeping prophet.

QUESTIONS.

• What is the fifth period of Old Testament history called?
• What are the opening and closing events?
• What are the dates?
• What Scripture records the history of this period?
• What was the form of government during this period?
• How was the king controlled?
• What are the subdivisions?
• What kings reigned over the United Kingdom?
• When was the kingdom divided?
• What was the cause of the division?
• What was each kingdom called after the division?
• When were the Ten Tribes taken captive?
• How long did Judah continue after this?
• How many companies were taken captive from Judah?
• When was Jerusalem destroyed?
• What are the chief events of this period?
• Who are the chief characters?
• For what is each distinguished?