Part 5

5. =The ambition of Jeroboam= was another force in the disruption. It was unfortunate for Solomon's kingdom that the ablest young man of that time in Israel, a wily political leader and an unscrupulous partisan, belonged to the tribe of Ephraim, and from his environment was an enemy of the then existing government. The fact that he was sent for from Egypt to the assembly at Shechem showed collusion and preparation of the scheme (1 Kings 12. 2, 3).

6. But even all these causes might have been insufficient but for =the folly of Rehoboam= (1 Kings 12. 13, 14). If David had been on the throne that day an empire might have been saved. But Rehoboam, brought up in the purple, was without sympathy with the people, tried to act the part of a tyrant, and lost his ancestral realm (1 Kings 12. 16).

II. =THE RESULTS OF THE DIVISION.= These were partly political, partly religious, and were neither of unmixed good nor unmixed evil.

1. The =political results= were: 1.) The entire _disruption_ of Solomon's empire. Five kingdoms took the place of one; Syria on the north, Israel in the center, Judah west of the Dead Sea, Moab east of the Dead Sea, and Edom on the extreme south. Moab was nominally subject to Israel, and Edom to Judah; but only strong kings, like Ahab in Israel and Jehoshaphat in Judah, could exact the tribute (2 Kings 3. 4; 1 Kings 22. 47). 2.) With the loss of empire came _rivalry_, and consequent _weakness_. For fifty years Israel and Judah were at war, and spent their strength in civil strife, while Syria was growing powerful, and afar in the north-east Assyria was threatening. 3.) As a natural result came at last _foreign domination_. Both Israel and Judah fell under the power of other nations, and were swept into captivity as the final result of the disruption wrought by Jeroboam.

2. =The religious results= of the division were more favorable. They were: 1.) _Preservation of the true religion._ A great empire would inevitably have been the spiritual ruin of Israel, for it must have been worldly, secular, and, in the end, idolatrous. The disruption broke off relation with the world, put an end to schemes of secular empire, and placed Israel and Judah once more alone among their mountains. In this sense the event was from the Lord, who had higher and more enduring purposes than an earthly empire (1 Kings 12. 15-24). 2.) _Protection of the true religion._ Israel on the north stood as a "buffer," warding off the world from Judah on the south. It was neither wholly idolatrous nor wholly religious, but was a debatable land for centuries. It fell at last, but it saved Judah; and in Judah was the unconscious hope of the world. 3.) _Concentration of the true religion._ The departure of Israel from the true faith led to the gathering of the priests, Levites and worshiping element of the people in Judah (2 Chron. 11. 13-16). Thus the Jewish kingdom was far more devoted to Jehovah than it might otherwise have been.

III. =THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL.= From the division the name _Israel_ was applied to the northern kingdom and _Judah_ to the southern. We notice the general aspects of Israel during its history, from B. C. 975 to 721.

1. =Its extent.= It embraced all the territory of the twelve tribes except Judah and a part of Benjamin (1 Kings 12. 19-21), held a nominal supremacy over Moab east of the Dead Sea, and embraced about 9,375 square miles, while Judah included only 3,435. Israel was about equal in area to Massachusetts and Rhode Island together.

2. =Its capital= was at first _Shechem_, in the center of the land (1 Kings 12. 25); then, during several reigns, at _Tirzah_ (1 Kings 15. 33; 16. 23); then at _Samaria_ (1 Kings 16. 24), where it remained until the end of the kingdom. That city after a time gave its name to the kingdom (1 Kings 21. 1), and after the fall of the kingdom to the province in the center of Palestine (John 4. 3, 4).

3. =Its religion.= 1.) Very soon after the institution of the new kingdom Jeroboam established a national religion, the _worship of the calves_ (1 Kings 12. 26-33). This was not a new form of worship, but had been maintained in Israel ever since the Exodus (Exod. 32. 1-4). In character it was a modified idolatry, half-way between the pure religion and the abominations of the heathen. 2.) Ahab and his house introduced the Phenician _worship of Baal_, an idolatry of the most abominable and immoral sort (1 Kings 16. 30-33), but it never gained control in Israel, and was doubtless one cause of the revolution which placed another family on the throne. 3.) Through the history of Israel there remained a remnant of _worshipers of Jehovah_, who were watched over by a noble array of prophets, and though often persecuted remained faithful (1 Kings 19. 14, 18).

4. =Its rulers.= During two hundred and fifty years Israel was governed by nineteen kings, with intervals of anarchy. Five houses in turn held sway, each established by a usurper, generally a soldier, and each dynasty ending in a murder.

1.) _The House of Jeroboam_ (B. C. 974 to 953), with two kings, followed by a general massacre of Jeroboam's family (1 Kings 15. 29, 30).

2.) _The House of Baasha_ (B. C. 953-929), two kings, followed by a civil war (1 Kings 16. 16-22).

3.) _The House of Omri_ (B. C. 929-884), four kings, of whom Omri and Ahab were the most powerful. This was the age of the prophet Elijah and the great struggle between the worship of Jehovah and of Baal (1 Kings 18. 4-21).

4.) _The House of Jehu_ (B. C. 884-772), five kings, under whom were great changes of fortune. The reign of Jehoahaz saw Israel reduced to a mere province of Syria (2 Kings 13. 1-9). His son Joash threw off the Syrian yoke, and _his_ son, Jeroboam II., raised Israel almost to its condition of empire in the days of Solomon (2 Kings 14. 23-29). His reign is called "the Indian summer of Israel."

5.) _The House of Menahem_ (B. C. 772-759), two reigns. Israel had by this time fallen under the power of Assyria, now dominant over the East, and its history is the story of kings rising and falling in rapid succession, with long intervals of anarchy. From the fall of this dynasty there was only the semblance of a state until the final destruction of Samaria, B. C. 721.

5. =Its foreign relations.= During the period of the Israelite kingdom we see lands struggling for the dominion of the East. The history of Israel is interwoven with that of Syria and Assyria, which may now be read from the monuments.

1.) There was a _Period of Division_ (B. C. 975-929). During the reign of the houses of Jeroboam and Baasha there were constant wars between Israel, Syria, and Judah; and as a result all were kept weak, and "a balance of power" was maintained.

2.) Then followed a _Period of Alliance_ (B. C. 929-884)--that is, between Israel and Judah, during the sway of the House of Omri. The two lands were in friendly relations, and the two thrones were connected by marriages. As a result both Israel and Judah were strong, Moab and Edom were kept under control, and Syria was held in check.

3.) Next came the _Period of Syrian Ascendency_ (B. C. 884-840). During the first two reigns of the House of Jehu Syria rose to great power tinder Hazael, and overran both Israel and Judah. At one time Israel was in danger of utter destruction, but was preserved. Near the close of these periods the dying prophecy of Elisha was uttered (2 Kings 13. 14-25).

4.) _The Period of Israelite Ascendency_ (B. C. 840-772). Israel under Jeroboam II. took its turn of power, and for a brief period was again dominant to the Euphrates, as in the days of Solomon.

5.) _The Period of Assyrian Ascendency_ (B. C. 772-721). But its glory soon faded away before that of Assyria, which was now rapidly becoming the empire of the East. Its rise meant the fall of Israel; and under the unfortunate Hoshea Samaria was taken, what was left of the ten tribes were carried captive, and the kingdom of Israel was extinguished (2 Kings 17. 1-6).

IV. =THE FATE OF THE TEN TRIBES.= There has been much idle discussion over this subject and some absurd claims set up; for example, that the Anglo-Saxon race are descended from the ten lost tribes--a statement opposed to all history, to ethnology, and to every evidence of language.

1. After their deposition nearly all the Israelites, having lost their national religion and having no bond of union, =mingled with the Gentiles= around them and lost their identity, just as hundreds of other races have done. The only bond which will keep a nation long alive is that of religion.

2. Some remained in Palestine, others returned thither and formed the =nucleus of the Samaritan people=, a race of mingled origin (2 Kings 17. 24-29).

3. Some of those who remained in the East retained their religion, or were revived in it, and later became a part of the =Jews of the dispersion=; though "the dispersion" was mainly Jewish, and not Israelite.

4. A few =families united with the Jews= returned with them to Palestine after the exile, yet retained their tribal relationship; for example, Anna (Luke 2. 36).

Blackboard Outline.

=I. Cau. Div.= 1. Opp. gov. 2. Opp. pro. 3. For. int. 4. Tri. jeal. 5. Am. Jer. 6. Fol. Re.

=II. Res. Div.= 1. Pol. res. 1.) Dis. emp. 2.) Riv. and weak. 3.) For. dom. 2. Rel. res. 1.) Pres. rel. 2.) Pro. rel. 3.) Conc. rel.

=III. Kin. Isr.= 1. Ext. 9,375. 2. Cap. 1.) Sh. 2.) Tir. 3.) Sam. 3. Rel. 1.) Wor. cal. 2.) Wor. Ba. 3.) Wor. Jeh. 4. Rul. 1.) Hou. Jer. 2.) Hou. Ra. 3.) Hou. Om. 4.) Hou. Je. 5.) Hou. Men. 5. For. Rel. 1.) Per. Div. 2.) Per. All. 3.) Per. Syr. Asc. 4.) Per. Isr. Asc. 5.) Per. Ass. Asc.

=IV. Fat. Ten. Tri.= 1. Min. Gen. 2. Sam. peo. 3. Disp. 4. Jews.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.

What causes may be assigned for the division of Israel? How far was Solomon's government responsible? What was the relation of the prophets to the revolution? What foreign intrigues contributed to break up the kingdom? Who were connected with these intrigues? What ancient jealousy aided, and how? What man led in the breaking up of the kingdom? Whose folly enabled the plot to succeed?

What were the political results of the division? What were its religious results? How was this event from the Lord?

How long did the new kingdom of Israel last? What was its extent? What were its three successive capitals? What three forms of religion were found in it? Who was the first king of the ten tribes? What family introduced foreign idolatry? How many kings ruled over the ten tribes? What were the five royal houses? Which house raised Israel almost to its ancient power? What is this period of prosperity called? Who was the greatest King of Israel? With what other history is that of Israel interwoven? What were the five periods in the foreign relations of Israel? By what kingdom was Israel destroyed? Who was its last king? What finally became of the ten tribes?

CHART OF THE KINGS OF ISRAEL,

From the DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM TO THE CAPTIVITY Together with the Contemporaneous PROPHETS AND KINGS OF JUDAH

Subjects for Special Papers.

THE HISTORY AND TRAITS OF THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM. SHECHEM, AND EVENTS CONNECTED WITH IT. THE RELIGION OF THE TEN TRIBES. QUEEN JEZEBEL AND HER INFLUENCE. THE MISSION OF ELIJAH. ELISHA AND HIS INFLUENCE.

CHART OF THE KINGS OF ISRAEL,

From the DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM TO THE CAPTIVITY Together wiht the Contemporaneous PROPHETS AND KINGS OF JUDAH

Years B.C. 975 970 960 950 940 930 920 910 900

DIVISION OF KINGDOM _Dynasty of Jeroboam_ --- .......................> _Dynasty of Baasha_ Jeroboam I.[1] <......................> _Dynasty of Omri_ ------------+ Nadab[1] <............................ KINGS } ++ Baasha[1] Elah Zimri OF } +-------------------------------+ Tibni ISRAEL } +----- Omri[1] --- ------------+ Ahab[1] +-------------------

KINGS } Rehoboam[1] OF } -----------------+ Abijam[1] JUDAH } +-+ Asa[2] +------------------------------------------+ Jehoshaphat[2] +------------- --- Iddo ------------- Ahijah Azariah Elijah Prophets -------------------- ---- Jehu ----------- -------- Shemaiah Hanani Elisha --------------- ---- -----

900 890 880 870 860 850 840 830 820 810

_Dynasty of Omri_ ....................>

_Dynasty of Jehu_ <......................................................................... Ahab[1] ---+ Ahaziah II.[1] +-+ Jehoram I.[1] ISRAEL +----------+ Jehu[2][1] +----------------------------+ Jehoahaz I.[2] +---------------+ Jehoash II.[1] Jehosaphat[2] [3]-+-------------+ Jeroboam II.[1] -----------+ Jehoiam II.[1] [3]--------+--------------- JUDAH -------+---+ Ahaziah II.[1] ++ Athaliah[1] +-----+ Jehoash I.[2] Elijah +----------------------------------------+ Amaziah[2][1] ----- +--------------------------- Micaiah Zechariah ----- Elisha ------ -------------------------------------------------------------- Jehaziel Jonah -------- -------------------------------------

810 800 790 780 770 760 750 740 730 720

_Dynasty of Jehu_ ........................................>

Jeroboam II.[1] Zachariah[1] --------------------------- _Anarchy_ + Shallum Menakeu[1] +---------+ Pekahiah[1] ISRAEL +-+ Pekah[1] Hoshea[1] _Captivity_ +--------------------- -------- Azariah or Uzziah[2] ---------------------------------------------------- Jotham[2] JUDAH ---------------+ Ahaz[1] +---------------+ Hez.[2] Hosea +------ Joel ----------------------------------------------------------- PROPHETS -------------------------------------- Isaiah Amos ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Micah ----------------------------- Oded ----- _Fish and See, N.Y._

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Did evil in the sight of the Lord

[2] Did right in the sight of the Lord

[3] Viceroy with his father

EIGHTH STUDY.

THE RIVAL THRONES--JUDAH.

I. =GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH.=

1. =Its territory.= It embraced the mountain portion of the tribe of Judah, from the Dead Sea to the Philistine plain; a part of Benjamin, in which tribe the larger part of Jerusalem stood; and also a part of Dan (2 Chron. 11. 10). Simeon was nominally within its border, but was practically given up to the Arabians of the desert; Edom was tributary, though often in rebellion, and finally independent (1 Kings 22. 47; 2 Kings 8. 20); Philistia was outside of its boundary. Its extent was about 3,435 square miles, about half the area of Massachusetts.

2. =Its government= was a monarchy, with but one family on the throne, the line of David, in direct succession, with the exception of Athaliah's usurpation (2 Kings 11. 1-3), through nineteen reigns.

3. =Its religion.= Through all the history we find two forms of worship strongly opposed to each other, yet both rooted in the nation. 1.) The worship of Jehovah through the temple, the priesthood, and the prophets. 2.) But side by side with this pure religion was the worship of idols upon "high places," probably begun as a form of worshiping Jehovah, but degenerating into gross and immoral idolatry. There was a struggle going on constantly between these two elements in the state, the spiritual and the material. Notwithstanding the efforts of reforming kings like Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, the general tendency was downward.

II. =THE DURATION OF THE KINGDOM.= The kingdom lasted from B. C. 975 to 587--more than one hundred and thirty years longer than Israel. Reasons for its endurance may have been:

1. =Its retired situation=: hemmed in by mountains and deserts; at a distance from the ordinary lines of travel; not in the direct path of conquest from any other nation. Judah had few foreign wars as compared with Israel.

2. =The unity of its people.= They were not ten tribes loosely connected, but one tribe, with a passionate love of their nation and a pride in their blood.

3. =Its concentration at Jerusalem.= Through all its history there was but one capital, where the palace of the king and the temple of the Lord were standing together.

4. =The reverence for the House of David= also kept the people together. There was no change in dynasty, and the loyalty of the people grew stronger through the generations toward the family on the throne. There being no usurpers, the throne was permanent until destroyed by foreign power.

5. =The purity of its religion= tended to keep the nation united, and to keep it in existence. No bond of self-interest or of blood will hold a people together as strongly as the tie of religion. Judah's strength was in the measure of her service of God, and when she renounced Jehovah her doom came speedily.

III. =PERIODS IN THE HISTORY.= Though Judah was not without political contact with other nations, yet its history is the record of internal events rather than external relations. We may divide its history into four epochs:

1. =The first decline and revival.= (B. C. 975-889.) 1.) The reigns of Rehoboam and Abijah marked a decline indicated by the Egyptian invasion and the growth of idolatry. 2.) The reign of Asa and Jehoshaphat showed a revival in reformation, progress, and power. Under Jehoshaphat Judah was at the height of prosperity. This was the time of peace with Israel, and of strength at home and abroad (2 Chron. 17. 5; 20. 30).

2. =The second decline and revival.= (B. C. 889-682.) 1.) For nearly two hundred years after the death of Jehoshaphat the course of Judah was downward. Edom was lost under Jehoram (2 Chron. 21. 8); the Baalite idolatry was introduced by the usurping queen, Athaliah (2 Kings 11. 18); the land was again and again invaded under Joash and Amaziah, and Jerusalem itself was taken and plundered. 2.) But a great reformation was wrought under Hezekiah, who was the best and wisest of the kings of Judah, and the kingdom again rose to power, even daring to throw off the Assyrian yoke and defy the anger of the mightiest king then on the earth. At this time came the great event of the destruction of the Assyrian host (2 Kings 19. 30).

3. =The third decline and revival.= (B. C. 682-610.) 1.) The reforms of Hezekiah were short lived, for his son Manasseh was both the longest in reigning and the wickedest of the kings, and his late repentance did not stay the tide of corruption which he had let loose (2 Kings 21. 10-17; 2 Chron. 33. 1-18). The wickedness of Manasseh's reign was the great moral cause of the kingdom's destruction, for from it no reform afterward could lift the mass of the people. 2.) Josiah, the young reformer, attempted the task, but his efforts, though earnest, were only measurably successful, and after his untimely death the kingdom hastened to its fall (2 Kings 23. 29).

4. =The final decline and fall.= (B. C. 610-587.) 1.) The political cause of the destruction of the kingdom was the rise of Babylon. The old Assyrian empire went down about 625 B. C., and a struggle followed between Babylon and Egypt for the supremacy. Judah took the side of Egypt, which proved to be the losing side. 2.) After several chastisements and repeated rebellions Jerusalem was finally destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, and the kingdom of Judah was extinguished, B. C. 587.

Blackboard Outline.

=I. Gen. Asp. Kin. Jud.= 1. Terr. Tri. Jud. 3,435 m. 2. Gov. mon. 3. Rel. 1.) Jeh. 2.) Idol.

=II. Dur. Kin.= 1. Ret. sit. 2. Un. peo. 3. Conc. Jer. 4. Rev. Ho. Dav. 5. Pur. rel.

=III. Per. Hist.= 1. Fir. dec. rev. 1.) Dec. Reho. Abi. 2.) Rev. As. Jehosh. 2. Sec. dec. rev. 1.) Dec. 200 y. 2.) Rev. Hez. 3. Thi. dec. rev. 1.) Dec. Man. 2.) Rev. Jos. 4. Fin. dec. fal. 1.) Ris. Bab. 2.) Des. Jer.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.

What was embraced in the kingdom of Judah? What was its area? How was it governed? What was its religion? What was associated with the worship of Jehovah? What was the religious tendency of the people? How long did the kingdom of Judah last? What were the causes of this duration? What were the periods in its history? Under what kings was the first decline? Who led in a revival and reformation? Who was the greatest of the kings of Judah? What took place during the second decline? Who was the usurping queen? What did this queen try to do? Who wrought the second great reformation? What was the character of this king? What great destruction of Judah's enemies took place at this time? Which reign was both longest, wickedest, and most evil in its results? Who attempted a third reformation? What was the result of his endeavor? What was the political cause of the fall of Judah? By what nation and by what king was Jerusalem finally destroyed?

Subjects for Special Papers.

HISTORY OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. THE HOUSE OF DAVID. THE RELIGION OF JUDAH. THE PROPHETS OF JUDAH. ANCIENT JERUSALEM. THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH IN RELATION TO EGYPT AND ASSYRIA.

NINTH STUDY.

THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH.

I. We must distinguish between the =CAPTIVITY OF ISRAEL=, or the ten tribes, and =THAT OF JUDAH=.

1. The captivity of Israel took place B. C. 721, that of Judah B. C. 587. The southern kingdom lasted one hundred and thirty-four years longer than the northern.

2. Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians under Sargon; Judah by the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar.