The First 
Israelites 
Chapter Three, Section One
 About 1200 BC, great 
changes took place around 
Mediterranean 
◦ Empires fell and new people 
entered the region 
 1000 BC, Israelites built a 
kingdom in Canaan 
 Canaan lies along the 
Mediterranean Sea in Middle 
East.
 Small population of people. 
 Israelites believed in God—only 
one; monotheism 
 Israelite faith become Judaism; 
known as Jews 
◦ Influenced Christianity and Islam 
◦ Shaped beliefs and practices of 
societies in Europe and Americas. 
 Spoke Hebrew; wrote their 
beliefs in the Hebrew Bible 
 Came from Mesopotamia-herders 
and traders; settled in 
Canaan
 Abraham—father of the 
Hebrews. Believe God told 
Abraham to go to Canaan. God 
promised the land to Abraham 
and the Hebrews. 
 Jacob—grandson of Abraham; 
also called Israel 
◦ Had 12 sons; Divided his family into 
12 tribes. 12 Tribes of Israel 
 Lived in Israel for 100 years; 
moved to Egypt to escape 
famine
 While in Egypt they were enslaved 
by Pharaoh. 
 They were subject to infanticide— 
murder of their infants 
 Moses led his people out of Egypt; 
10 plagues on Egyptians 
 Ten Commandments—at top of 
Mt. Sinai, received the laws from 
God. The commandments were an 
important part of the Torah; most 
important in shaping moral laws of 
many nations. 
 Torah—first part of the Hebrew 
Bible; describes a covenant
 Took 40 years to reach Canaan; 
Moses had already died 
 Joshua took over leadership after 
Moses; brought Israelites to Canaan 
 Canaanites were living there when 
they arrived. 
 Joshua and his army took the city of 
Jericho and other lands in three 
wars. 
◦ The territories were divided among the 
12 Tribes of Israel
 Judge—An Israelite military leader 
that guided the 12 tribes after 
Joshua’s death. Usually they 
guided 1 or 2 tribes; 
 Deborah—only known woman 
judge. 
◦ 1125 BC—Deborah and her troops 
destroyed King Jabin and his army of 
Canaanites. 
 Over time, the judges gained control 
over all the hilly regions of Canaan. 
The Canaanites only controlled the 
coastal areas.
 Led by Abraham, the Israelites settled 
in Canaan. They later moved to Egypt 
and were enslaved, but then escaped. 
The Israelites used the Ten 
Commandments as rules to live by. 
 Joshua and the judges, including 
Deborah, won back territory in central 
Canaan for the Israelites.
Kingdom of Israel 
Chapter 3; Section 2
Israelites Choose a King 
 1000 BC— 
Philistines 
strongest in the 
region of Canaan 
 Israelites believe 
they need to 
choose a king to 
unite the tribes and 
become stronger
Rule of King Saul 
 1020 BC— 
Israelites asked 
Samuel to choose 
a king. Samuel—a 
judge and prophet 
 Samuel selects 
Saul a warrior and 
farmer; first king of 
Israel 
 Hebrew Bible says 
Saul lost favor with 
God and the 
people
King David 
 David—was in charge of 
Saul’s army; known for his 
bravery and leadership; 
David and Goliath 
 1000 BC—David takes the 
throne of Israel 
 David as King 
◦ Drove Philistines from the 
region 
◦ Created an Empire 
◦ Conquered nations paid a 
tribute—added to Israel’s 
wealth
King David 
◦ Taxes the Israelites 
heavily 
 Wanted to expand 
Jerusalem 
 Wanted to build a 
temple for the Jews in 
Jerusalem
King Solomon 
 Solomon—last king of a 
united Israel; noted for his 
wisdom, but hated for his 
taxation 
◦ Built the great stone temple 
in Jerusalem 
 Becomes a symbol and center of 
Jewish religion 
◦ Known for his proverbs— 
wise sayings 
◦ 1000-922 BC—the period of 
kings.
After Solomon 
 When Solomon died, 
Northerners rebelled 
◦ 10 of the 12 tribes set 
up their own nation in 
the north—Kingdom 
of Israel (922 BC) 
◦ Samaria—capital of 
Kingdom of Israel. 
 Kingdom of Judah 
◦ Two tribes 
◦ Jerusalem remained 
the Capital
Fall of Israel 
◦ 722 BC—Assyrians 
conquered Israel and 
scattered 10 tribes 
across their empire. 
◦ They are known as the 
“Lost Tribes of Israel”
Fall of Judah 
◦ 620 BC—Egyptians conquered the Kingdom of Judah 
 Israelites kept their king but paid tribute to Egypt 
◦ 605 BC—Chaldeans conquer Egypt; Egyptians and 
Jews unite but fail 
◦ 597 BC—Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem 
 Punished Jews severely—10,000 forced to leave and live in 
Babylon 
 A second rebellion was crushed and the Temple was 
destroyed. 
 Time in Babylon called the Babylonian Exile—597-538 BC 
◦ 538 BC—Persian king Cyrus allows Jews to rebuild 
Jerusalem
Review the Main Ideas 
 Saul was the first king of the Israelites. He 
united the 12 tribes into one kingdom. 
 King David built an Israelite empire and made 
Jerusalem his capital. Solomon built a great 
temple at Jerusalem, but after he died, the 
Israelites split into two kingdoms—Israel and 
Judah 
 The Assyrians and then the Chaldeans 
conquered Israel and Judah, and forced many 
Israelites to leave their homeland.
Growth of Judaism 
Chapter three, section three
Exile and Return 
 During the exile (586-538 BC) in 
Babylon the Israelite religion 
became what we call Judaism 
 Sabbath—small groups of Jews 
would meet for a day of worship 
and rest at the synagogues 
 538 BC—Cyrus allowed the Jews 
to return to Judah; some stayed 
in Babylon, many went home 
 They rebuilt Jerusalem and the 
temple. Were not allowed to have 
their own king 
 Religious leaders ran their society 
 Scribes became religious scholars 
 Ezra—wrote five books of the 
Torah on pieces of parchment— 
scrolls; Torah and writings added 
later made up the Hebrew Bible.
Jews Look to the Future 
 Story of Daniel reminded 
Jews that God would 
rescue them 
 Daniel was important to 
the Chaldean rulers but 
he refused to worship 
Babylonian gods. They 
threw him into the Lion’s 
den but God protected 
Daniel from the Lions. 
 Jews believed that evil 
and suffering would
Jews and the Greeks 
 331 BC, Alexander the Great 
(Greek) defeated Persians so 
Judah came under his control 
 Jews were allowed to stay in 
Judah; Hebrews were 
introduced Greek language 
and culture 
 Jews were living throughout 
Alexander’s empire at this time; 
This became known as 
diaspora 
 During diaspora, Jews learned 
Greek ways and copied the
The Maccabees 
 168 BC—Greek Ruler Antiochus 
controlled Judah; He decided to 
make Jews worship Greek gods. 
 Judas Maccabeus—a priest that 
led a rebellion against Antiochus 
 Maccabees fled to the hills and 
formed an army. After many 
battles they drove the Greeks out 
of Judah and destroyed all traces 
of Greek gods. 
 Hanukkah—Jewish festival that 
celebrates the Maccabees and 
their victory. 
 Judas Maccabeus’s family 
became new rulers and they took 
over land that had been part of
Roman Rule 
 Jews and the Romans 
 63 BC—Romans conquered Judah; 
renamed it Judaea 
 At first, Romans allowed Jewish rulers 
to run Judaea 
 King Herod—most famous ruler of 
Judaea 
◦ Added to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem 
◦ Became one of the most awe-inspiring 
buildings in the entire Roman world 
 Romans replaced the Jewish king with 
Roman officials when Herod died. 
 Jews were divided over how to deal 
with the Romans
Jewish Revolts 
 60’s AD—Jewish hatred of Roman rule was at its peak 
 Jews waited for a messiah—deliverer sent from God 
 Zealots—wanted to fight the Romans for Freedom 
 66 AD—Zealots revolted against the Romans and drove 
them out of Jerusalem; 
 70 AD—Romans returned and killed thousands of Jews and 
forced many others to leave; Romans destroyed the temple 
in Jerusalem; The Western Wall is all that remains today 
 132 AD—Jews revolted again; Revolt was crushed in 135 
AD; Romans forbade the Jews to live in or even visit 
Jerusalem; Started calling Judah by the name Palestine. 
Name refers to the Philistines. 
 1947 AD—Jews return to Judah and form the state of Israel.

The Ancient Israelites

  • 1.
    The First Israelites Chapter Three, Section One
  • 2.
     About 1200BC, great changes took place around Mediterranean ◦ Empires fell and new people entered the region  1000 BC, Israelites built a kingdom in Canaan  Canaan lies along the Mediterranean Sea in Middle East.
  • 3.
     Small populationof people.  Israelites believed in God—only one; monotheism  Israelite faith become Judaism; known as Jews ◦ Influenced Christianity and Islam ◦ Shaped beliefs and practices of societies in Europe and Americas.  Spoke Hebrew; wrote their beliefs in the Hebrew Bible  Came from Mesopotamia-herders and traders; settled in Canaan
  • 4.
     Abraham—father ofthe Hebrews. Believe God told Abraham to go to Canaan. God promised the land to Abraham and the Hebrews.  Jacob—grandson of Abraham; also called Israel ◦ Had 12 sons; Divided his family into 12 tribes. 12 Tribes of Israel  Lived in Israel for 100 years; moved to Egypt to escape famine
  • 5.
     While inEgypt they were enslaved by Pharaoh.  They were subject to infanticide— murder of their infants  Moses led his people out of Egypt; 10 plagues on Egyptians  Ten Commandments—at top of Mt. Sinai, received the laws from God. The commandments were an important part of the Torah; most important in shaping moral laws of many nations.  Torah—first part of the Hebrew Bible; describes a covenant
  • 6.
     Took 40years to reach Canaan; Moses had already died  Joshua took over leadership after Moses; brought Israelites to Canaan  Canaanites were living there when they arrived.  Joshua and his army took the city of Jericho and other lands in three wars. ◦ The territories were divided among the 12 Tribes of Israel
  • 7.
     Judge—An Israelitemilitary leader that guided the 12 tribes after Joshua’s death. Usually they guided 1 or 2 tribes;  Deborah—only known woman judge. ◦ 1125 BC—Deborah and her troops destroyed King Jabin and his army of Canaanites.  Over time, the judges gained control over all the hilly regions of Canaan. The Canaanites only controlled the coastal areas.
  • 8.
     Led byAbraham, the Israelites settled in Canaan. They later moved to Egypt and were enslaved, but then escaped. The Israelites used the Ten Commandments as rules to live by.  Joshua and the judges, including Deborah, won back territory in central Canaan for the Israelites.
  • 9.
    Kingdom of Israel Chapter 3; Section 2
  • 10.
    Israelites Choose aKing  1000 BC— Philistines strongest in the region of Canaan  Israelites believe they need to choose a king to unite the tribes and become stronger
  • 11.
    Rule of KingSaul  1020 BC— Israelites asked Samuel to choose a king. Samuel—a judge and prophet  Samuel selects Saul a warrior and farmer; first king of Israel  Hebrew Bible says Saul lost favor with God and the people
  • 12.
    King David David—was in charge of Saul’s army; known for his bravery and leadership; David and Goliath  1000 BC—David takes the throne of Israel  David as King ◦ Drove Philistines from the region ◦ Created an Empire ◦ Conquered nations paid a tribute—added to Israel’s wealth
  • 13.
    King David ◦Taxes the Israelites heavily  Wanted to expand Jerusalem  Wanted to build a temple for the Jews in Jerusalem
  • 14.
    King Solomon Solomon—last king of a united Israel; noted for his wisdom, but hated for his taxation ◦ Built the great stone temple in Jerusalem  Becomes a symbol and center of Jewish religion ◦ Known for his proverbs— wise sayings ◦ 1000-922 BC—the period of kings.
  • 15.
    After Solomon When Solomon died, Northerners rebelled ◦ 10 of the 12 tribes set up their own nation in the north—Kingdom of Israel (922 BC) ◦ Samaria—capital of Kingdom of Israel.  Kingdom of Judah ◦ Two tribes ◦ Jerusalem remained the Capital
  • 16.
    Fall of Israel ◦ 722 BC—Assyrians conquered Israel and scattered 10 tribes across their empire. ◦ They are known as the “Lost Tribes of Israel”
  • 17.
    Fall of Judah ◦ 620 BC—Egyptians conquered the Kingdom of Judah  Israelites kept their king but paid tribute to Egypt ◦ 605 BC—Chaldeans conquer Egypt; Egyptians and Jews unite but fail ◦ 597 BC—Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem  Punished Jews severely—10,000 forced to leave and live in Babylon  A second rebellion was crushed and the Temple was destroyed.  Time in Babylon called the Babylonian Exile—597-538 BC ◦ 538 BC—Persian king Cyrus allows Jews to rebuild Jerusalem
  • 18.
    Review the MainIdeas  Saul was the first king of the Israelites. He united the 12 tribes into one kingdom.  King David built an Israelite empire and made Jerusalem his capital. Solomon built a great temple at Jerusalem, but after he died, the Israelites split into two kingdoms—Israel and Judah  The Assyrians and then the Chaldeans conquered Israel and Judah, and forced many Israelites to leave their homeland.
  • 19.
    Growth of Judaism Chapter three, section three
  • 20.
    Exile and Return  During the exile (586-538 BC) in Babylon the Israelite religion became what we call Judaism  Sabbath—small groups of Jews would meet for a day of worship and rest at the synagogues  538 BC—Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Judah; some stayed in Babylon, many went home  They rebuilt Jerusalem and the temple. Were not allowed to have their own king  Religious leaders ran their society  Scribes became religious scholars  Ezra—wrote five books of the Torah on pieces of parchment— scrolls; Torah and writings added later made up the Hebrew Bible.
  • 21.
    Jews Look tothe Future  Story of Daniel reminded Jews that God would rescue them  Daniel was important to the Chaldean rulers but he refused to worship Babylonian gods. They threw him into the Lion’s den but God protected Daniel from the Lions.  Jews believed that evil and suffering would
  • 22.
    Jews and theGreeks  331 BC, Alexander the Great (Greek) defeated Persians so Judah came under his control  Jews were allowed to stay in Judah; Hebrews were introduced Greek language and culture  Jews were living throughout Alexander’s empire at this time; This became known as diaspora  During diaspora, Jews learned Greek ways and copied the
  • 23.
    The Maccabees 168 BC—Greek Ruler Antiochus controlled Judah; He decided to make Jews worship Greek gods.  Judas Maccabeus—a priest that led a rebellion against Antiochus  Maccabees fled to the hills and formed an army. After many battles they drove the Greeks out of Judah and destroyed all traces of Greek gods.  Hanukkah—Jewish festival that celebrates the Maccabees and their victory.  Judas Maccabeus’s family became new rulers and they took over land that had been part of
  • 24.
    Roman Rule Jews and the Romans  63 BC—Romans conquered Judah; renamed it Judaea  At first, Romans allowed Jewish rulers to run Judaea  King Herod—most famous ruler of Judaea ◦ Added to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem ◦ Became one of the most awe-inspiring buildings in the entire Roman world  Romans replaced the Jewish king with Roman officials when Herod died.  Jews were divided over how to deal with the Romans
  • 25.
    Jewish Revolts 60’s AD—Jewish hatred of Roman rule was at its peak  Jews waited for a messiah—deliverer sent from God  Zealots—wanted to fight the Romans for Freedom  66 AD—Zealots revolted against the Romans and drove them out of Jerusalem;  70 AD—Romans returned and killed thousands of Jews and forced many others to leave; Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem; The Western Wall is all that remains today  132 AD—Jews revolted again; Revolt was crushed in 135 AD; Romans forbade the Jews to live in or even visit Jerusalem; Started calling Judah by the name Palestine. Name refers to the Philistines.  1947 AD—Jews return to Judah and form the state of Israel.