rise and fall foundations of the monarchy the “united” monarchy: saul, david, and solomon the...

Rise and Fall

Foundations of the Monarchy

The “United” Monarchy: Saul, David, and Solomon

The Divided Monarchy

The Last Days of the Independent Monarchy

Exile and Return

Tracing Jewish History to the Roman Rule

Rise and Fall

Foundations of the Monarchy

The “United” Monarchy: Saul, David, and Solomon

The Divided Monarchy

The Last Days of the Independent Monarchy

Exile and Return

Tracing Jewish History to the Roman Rule

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of God’s WordPart 1C The Historical Books

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of God’s WordPart 1C The Historical Books

The Historical Books

1. Tell how the Hebrews lived out the covenant in the Promised Land

2. The theological perspectives include these themes:

God remains with the Israelites when they most need his help

Israel’s leaders, including King David, reflect Israel’s pattern of infidelity in their own lives

God’s mercy preserves Israel from it enemies

The Historical Books

1. Tell how the Hebrews lived out the covenant in the Promised Land

2. The theological perspectives include these themes:

God remains with the Israelites when they most need his help

Israel’s leaders, including King David, reflect Israel’s pattern of infidelity in their own lives

God’s mercy preserves Israel from it enemies

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of God’s Word Part 1C The Historical Books


Attitudes Towards Formation of a MonarchyAttitudes Towards Formation of a Monarchy



Samuel’s view: He will tithe your flocks and you … will become his slaves … you will complain against the king whom you have chosen, but on that day the Lord will not answer you. (1 Sm 8:17–18)

Samuel’s view: He will tithe your flocks and you … will become his slaves … you will complain against the king whom you have chosen, but on that day the Lord will not answer you. (1 Sm 8:17–18)

Israel’s view: Not so! There must be a king over us. We too must be like the other nations, with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare and fight our battles. (1 Sm 8:19–20)

Israel’s view: Not so! There must be a king over us. We too must be like the other nations, with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare and fight our battles. (1 Sm 8:19–20)

Post-exilic view: We are not meant to have any king but YHWH. Post-exilic view: We are not meant to have any king but YHWH.

Positives and Negatives of the MonarchyPositives and Negatives of the Monarchy



Israel became a nation with a strong central leadership

A holy city was built in Jerusalem

A dynasty was formed with an ancestral line that eventually led to the birth of a messiah connected to the Davidic line

Israel became a nation with a strong central leadership

A holy city was built in Jerusalem

A dynasty was formed with an ancestral line that eventually led to the birth of a messiah connected to the Davidic line

David’s ill fated affair with Bathsheba

Solomon, who compromised his faith in God for the sake of political alliances

Other kings who oversaw an economic systems that favored the rich while hurting the poor

David’s ill fated affair with Bathsheba

Solomon, who compromised his faith in God for the sake of political alliances

Other kings who oversaw an economic systems that favored the rich while hurting the poor

King Saul

1. As much the last of the judges as he was the first king

2. He ruled over a loose-knit organization of tribes and people who were mostly farmers

3. He was essentially a warrior with limited success against the Philistines – especially in the southern Israel hill country

4. His unfaithfulness to YHWH and the charismatic rise of one of Saul’s assistants, David, led to his downfall

King Saul

1. As much the last of the judges as he was the first king

2. He ruled over a loose-knit organization of tribes and people who were mostly farmers

3. He was essentially a warrior with limited success against the Philistines – especially in the southern Israel hill country

4. His unfaithfulness to YHWH and the charismatic rise of one of Saul’s assistants, David, led to his downfall



King David

1. The story of his rise to power varies, but his path to the throne is clearly won through military conquests

2. David was less a king over a vast kingdom and more a military leader who enforced submission in a large territory

3. The central promise made to David by the Lord: And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. . . . your throne shall stand firm forever. (2 Samuel 7:8 ff)

King David

1. The story of his rise to power varies, but his path to the throne is clearly won through military conquests

2. David was less a king over a vast kingdom and more a military leader who enforced submission in a large territory

3. The central promise made to David by the Lord: And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. . . . your throne shall stand firm forever. (2 Samuel 7:8 ff)



King Solomon

David’s son and the great builder in the Bible

King Solomon

David’s son and the great builder in the Bible



Positively, Solomon is a king who wisely settles a dispute between two women and his request from God for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong”

Positively, Solomon is a king who wisely settles a dispute between two women and his request from God for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong”

Negatively he engages in political marriages with pagan women and very likely enslaved his own people as well as foreigners

to complete his extravagant projects

Negatively he engages in political marriages with pagan women and very likely enslaved his own people as well as foreigners

to complete his extravagant projects

The Divided Kingdom after SolomonThe Divided Kingdom after Solomon



Judah

The southern kingdom

Tribes of Benjamin & Judah

Selected Rehoboam as king

These kings consider

themselves to be the

legitimate rulers because

their ancestors can be

traced to David

Judah

The southern kingdom

Tribes of Benjamin & Judah

Selected Rehoboam as king

These kings consider

themselves to be the

legitimate rulers because

their ancestors can be

traced to David

Israel The northern kingdom

The other ten tribes

Selected Jeroboam as king

The unequal division of tribes

suggests the majority of the

united kingdom rejected

Judah

Built temples in Dan and Bethel

Israel The northern kingdom

The other ten tribes

Selected Jeroboam as king

The unequal division of tribes

suggests the majority of the

united kingdom rejected

Judah

Built temples in Dan and Bethel

Worship in the Northern KingdomWorship in the Northern Kingdom



YHWH Worship

Strongly represented by the prophets

A more radical orientation on the Law

Supported a community where the rich shared with the poor, the social balance was maintained, justice was practiced, and land was distributed fairly

YHWH Worship

Strongly represented by the prophets

A more radical orientation on the Law

Supported a community where the rich shared with the poor, the social balance was maintained, justice was practiced, and land was distributed fairly

Establishment Religion

Allowed the worship of other lesser deities in addition to YHWH

Identified in the Bible as a form of paganism

Closely identified with the ancient polytheism of the Canaanites and with the kings and landowning classes

Establishment Religion

Allowed the worship of other lesser deities in addition to YHWH

Identified in the Bible as a form of paganism

Closely identified with the ancient polytheism of the Canaanites and with the kings and landowning classes

Assyrian Conquest

1. The northern kingdom of Israel was obliterated by the Assyrians in 722 BC

2. A substantial number of the northern elite – later referred to as the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel” – were exiled according to the military strategy of deportation and these exiles are never heard from again

3. The southern kingdom of Judah survived an unsuccessful attack by the Assyrians in the early 7th century BC and continued for another 135 years

Assyrian Conquest

1. The northern kingdom of Israel was obliterated by the Assyrians in 722 BC

2. A substantial number of the northern elite – later referred to as the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel” – were exiled according to the military strategy of deportation and these exiles are never heard from again

3. The southern kingdom of Judah survived an unsuccessful attack by the Assyrians in the early 7th century BC and continued for another 135 years



Babylonian Conquest1. The final days of Judah were largely determined by the

rivalry between the empires of Egypt and Babylon2. In defeating Jerusalem in 597, Nebuchadnezzar chose

Zedekiah as a figurehead of Babylonian rule in Jerusalem3. Initially loyal to Babylon, Zedekiah was persuaded to join

an unsuccessful Egyptian revolt against the Babylonians4. Nebuchadnezzar’s forces returned to Jerusalem

in 587 BC and devastated the city5. The Chosen People are blamed by the biblical writers

for creating kings other than YHWH and for breaking the covenant by worshipping foreign gods

Babylonian Conquest1. The final days of Judah were largely determined by the

rivalry between the empires of Egypt and Babylon2. In defeating Jerusalem in 597, Nebuchadnezzar chose

Zedekiah as a figurehead of Babylonian rule in Jerusalem3. Initially loyal to Babylon, Zedekiah was persuaded to join

an unsuccessful Egyptian revolt against the Babylonians4. Nebuchadnezzar’s forces returned to Jerusalem

in 587 BC and devastated the city5. The Chosen People are blamed by the biblical writers

for creating kings other than YHWH and for breaking the covenant by worshipping foreign gods



Exile and Freedom1. The Old Testament describes the exile in very dark terms2. The Babylonians destroyed the Temple and captured

many religious implements of worship which they placed in the temple of Marduk, their main state god

3. The Persians eventually defeated the Babylonians and allowed some of the exiles to return to their homeland

4. The exiles who had remained faithful to YHWH during the time of captivity are known as God’s remnant

5. The post-exilic books of the Old Testament all carry messages meant to inspire people to remain faithful and brave during troublesome times

Exile and Freedom1. The Old Testament describes the exile in very dark terms2. The Babylonians destroyed the Temple and captured

many religious implements of worship which they placed in the temple of Marduk, their main state god

3. The Persians eventually defeated the Babylonians and allowed some of the exiles to return to their homeland

4. The exiles who had remained faithful to YHWH during the time of captivity are known as God’s remnant

5. The post-exilic books of the Old Testament all carry messages meant to inspire people to remain faithful and brave during troublesome times



Post-exilic Period

1. 1 and 2 Chronicles– Two of the main themes of both books was true worship and true kingship in Israel

2. Ezra and Nehemiah – Tell of problems faced by the returning exiles, the attempt to rebuild the Temple and preserve the Jewish nation

3. Daniel – The first section tells stories of a young Hebrew living in Babylon who carefully observe Jewish laws while the later section tells of apocalyptic visions

Post-exilic Period

1. 1 and 2 Chronicles– Two of the main themes of both books was true worship and true kingship in Israel

2. Ezra and Nehemiah – Tell of problems faced by the returning exiles, the attempt to rebuild the Temple and preserve the Jewish nation

3. Daniel – The first section tells stories of a young Hebrew living in Babylon who carefully observe Jewish laws while the later section tells of apocalyptic visions



Post-exilic Period4. Tobit – Emphasizes the benefits of traditional forms of

Jewish piety and reminds Jews that God will never abandon them as long as they remain faithful to him

5. Judith – The story of a fictional woman who urges faithfulness to YHWH during the Diaspora

6. Esther – The story of a beautiful Jewish maiden who illustrates that cooperation with the civil rulers and the refusal to compromise in religious matters, along with traditional elements of Jewish faith, will ensure God’s protection

Post-exilic Period4. Tobit – Emphasizes the benefits of traditional forms of

Jewish piety and reminds Jews that God will never abandon them as long as they remain faithful to him

5. Judith – The story of a fictional woman who urges faithfulness to YHWH during the Diaspora

6. Esther – The story of a beautiful Jewish maiden who illustrates that cooperation with the civil rulers and the refusal to compromise in religious matters, along with traditional elements of Jewish faith, will ensure God’s protection



Persian Rule1. Both books of Maccabees take place in the context of

the second century BC during Persian occupation2. The Persians ruled over Palestine from 539 to 333 BC –

from the time the Babylonians were conquered by Cyrus until they were conquered by Alexander the Great

3. The Jews were given a fair amount of religious and personal freedom, but not political rights

4. The Persians followed Zoroastrianism and influenced Judaism’s growing belief in angels and in the larger role assigned to Satan, the fallen angel

Persian Rule1. Both books of Maccabees take place in the context of

the second century BC during Persian occupation2. The Persians ruled over Palestine from 539 to 333 BC –

from the time the Babylonians were conquered by Cyrus until they were conquered by Alexander the Great

3. The Jews were given a fair amount of religious and personal freedom, but not political rights

4. The Persians followed Zoroastrianism and influenced Judaism’s growing belief in angels and in the larger role assigned to Satan, the fallen angel



Hellenization

1. Alexander introduced Greek ideals, language, learning, dress, and customs to the lands he controlled

2. Greek remained the common language of the Middle East until AD 500, when it was supplanted by Latin

3. The Septuagint translation of the Hebrew scriptures and the entire New Testament were written in Greek

4. The principal biblical sources describing Hellenistic influence on the Jews are 1 and 2 Maccabees and the Wisdom books of Solomon

Hellenization

1. Alexander introduced Greek ideals, language, learning, dress, and customs to the lands he controlled

2. Greek remained the common language of the Middle East until AD 500, when it was supplanted by Latin

3. The Septuagint translation of the Hebrew scriptures and the entire New Testament were written in Greek

4. The principal biblical sources describing Hellenistic influence on the Jews are 1 and 2 Maccabees and the Wisdom books of Solomon



Ptolemies1. A dynasty that descended from Alexander’s general

Ptolemy, controlling Palestine from about 320-200 BC2. Allowed religious autonomy and made no efforts to

impose Hellenization on the Jews3. Jews divided into ruling factions: those who began to

adopt Greek customs versus those who were staunchly opposed to any Greek assimilation

4. When Alexandria became an important cultural and economic center, it also became an important center of Jewish culture in the Diaspora for centuries after this

5. It’s likely both the Book of Wisdom and the Septuagint were formed in Alexandria

Ptolemies1. A dynasty that descended from Alexander’s general

Ptolemy, controlling Palestine from about 320-200 BC2. Allowed religious autonomy and made no efforts to

impose Hellenization on the Jews3. Jews divided into ruling factions: those who began to

adopt Greek customs versus those who were staunchly opposed to any Greek assimilation

4. When Alexandria became an important cultural and economic center, it also became an important center of Jewish culture in the Diaspora for centuries after this

5. It’s likely both the Book of Wisdom and the Septuagint were formed in Alexandria



The Seleucids & Temple Controversy1. Came to power in Palestine under Antiochus III after

driving out the Ptolemies in about 200 BC 2. Jewish life deteriorated and the Romans were gaining

strength in the region 3. As the economic importance of the Temple began to

increase, Jewish factions struggled over who would be the high priest and thus earn the right to negotiate financial and trade deals with the Seleucids

4. The internal struggle was complicated by the fact that a growing number of Jews continued to be Hellenized and less scrupulous in observing Jewish tradition

The Seleucids & Temple Controversy1. Came to power in Palestine under Antiochus III after

driving out the Ptolemies in about 200 BC 2. Jewish life deteriorated and the Romans were gaining

strength in the region 3. As the economic importance of the Temple began to

increase, Jewish factions struggled over who would be the high priest and thus earn the right to negotiate financial and trade deals with the Seleucids

4. The internal struggle was complicated by the fact that a growing number of Jews continued to be Hellenized and less scrupulous in observing Jewish tradition



Antiochus IV1. The squabble Jewish factions led to a confrontation

over the head of the Temple2. Intervening in the squabble, Antiochus, who zealous

about promoting Hellenization, appointed a series of high priests that supported him

3. Because he believed the Jews were the cause of many of his problems, he virtually banned the practice of traditional Jewish religion

4. His decisions were often supported by Hellenized Jews w ho wanted to gain permanent advantage over the traditionalist Jews

Antiochus IV1. The squabble Jewish factions led to a confrontation

over the head of the Temple2. Intervening in the squabble, Antiochus, who zealous

about promoting Hellenization, appointed a series of high priests that supported him

3. Because he believed the Jews were the cause of many of his problems, he virtually banned the practice of traditional Jewish religion

4. His decisions were often supported by Hellenized Jews w ho wanted to gain permanent advantage over the traditionalist Jews



The Maccabees 1. As resistance to his policies mounted, Antiochus enacted

sterner measures, eventually issuing an edict forbidding the practice of Judaism in all traditional forms

2. When Antiochus erected an altar to Zeus in the Temple, the Jews considered it a defilement of the entire Temple

3. Finally, in a revolt led by the Maccabees, the Jews regained control of the Temple in December 164 BC

4. The Temple was purified and rededicated, an event is still commemorated by Jews in the celebration of Hanukkah

5. Between 160 and 63 BC, the Hasmoneans led the Jews in securing some independence

The Maccabees 1. As resistance to his policies mounted, Antiochus enacted

sterner measures, eventually issuing an edict forbidding the practice of Judaism in all traditional forms

2. When Antiochus erected an altar to Zeus in the Temple, the Jews considered it a defilement of the entire Temple

3. Finally, in a revolt led by the Maccabees, the Jews regained control of the Temple in December 164 BC

4. The Temple was purified and rededicated, an event is still commemorated by Jews in the celebration of Hanukkah

5. Between 160 and 63 BC, the Hasmoneans led the Jews in securing some independence



Jewish SectsJewish Sects



Sadducees

Originally aristocratic Jews

Favored a strict observance of the Torah

Regarded Temple worship and sacrifice as essential

Denied the doctrine of the afterlife or the resurrection of the dead

Sadducees

Originally aristocratic Jews

Favored a strict observance of the Torah

Regarded Temple worship and sacrifice as essential

Denied the doctrine of the afterlife or the resurrection of the dead

Pharisees

Emphasized study of Hasmonean Dynasty

Exhibited great respect for their learned teachers

Preserved the written commentaries of the teachers with great reverence

Strong emphasis on pious religious rights in the home

Introduced two new institutions within Judaism: the synagogue and the rabbi

Pharisees

Emphasized study of Hasmonean Dynasty

Exhibited great respect for their learned teachers

Preserved the written commentaries of the teachers with great reverence

Strong emphasis on pious religious rights in the home

Introduced two new institutions within Judaism: the synagogue and the rabbi

Essenes

Withdrew to the desert near the Dead Sea

Brought copies of most books later made into the Old Testament

Wrote apocalyptic books

Believed coming devastation would place them back in authority in Palestine

Essenes

Withdrew to the desert near the Dead Sea

Brought copies of most books later made into the Old Testament

Wrote apocalyptic books

Believed coming devastation would place them back in authority in Palestine

The Romans1. The internal bickering among the Hasmoneans opened the

door for the Romans, the major military power in the region, to intervene in Palestine in 63 BC

2. Palestine was made part of the Roman province of Syria3. Pompey appointed his own high priest and

set up a puppet king4. The Jews remained under Roman control until

the seventh century AD5. In 37 BC Herod became king of Judea and was known

as a brutal ruler and a great builder, including the restoration of the Second Temple

The Romans1. The internal bickering among the Hasmoneans opened the

door for the Romans, the major military power in the region, to intervene in Palestine in 63 BC

2. Palestine was made part of the Roman province of Syria3. Pompey appointed his own high priest and

set up a puppet king4. The Jews remained under Roman control until

the seventh century AD5. In 37 BC Herod became king of Judea and was known

as a brutal ruler and a great builder, including the restoration of the Second Temple



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