The Divided Kingdom

Solomon’s death fractures the nation. When his son Rehoboam foolishly promises even harsher rule, the northern tribes revolt under Jeroboam, creating two kingdoms: Israel (north, ten tribes) and Judah (south, two tribes). The north has no stable dynasty—coup follows coup—and deeper idolatry, as Jeroboam sets up golden calves to prevent people from worshipping in Jerusalem. Prophets like Elijah and Elisha confront Baal worship but cannot reverse the decline. In 722 BCE, Assyria conquers the northern kingdom and scatters its population—the “Lost Ten Tribes.” Judah, with the Davidic dynasty intact, survives longer and produces some good kings like Josiah, who leads religious reforms. But the rot runs deep. In 586 BCE, Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, carrying Judah into exile. The prophets had warned for generations; now judgment falls.