Week 9: The Monarchy
Week 9: The Monarchy
This week we attempt an overview of nearly five hundred years from the death of Saul to the fall of Jerusalem. At first, under David and Solomon, the monarchy remained united. But with Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and heir, it divided into two, the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern (Judah), which were in constant conflict with one another. The story is told from different perspectives in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.
The most striking feature of this period is the rise and increasing influence of the writing prophets. This noble succession began in the middle of the eighth century BC with Amos, the prophet of God’s justice, and Hosea, the prophet of God’s love. It continued toward the end of the eighth century with Isaiah, the prophet of God’s sovereignty, while Jeremiah warned God’s people of imminent, inevitable judgment at the hands of the Babylonians and Ezekiel accompanied them into exile and then looked beyond it to their restoration.
Sunday: King David
Monday: King Solomon
Tuesday: The Northern Kingdom
Wednesday: The Message of Amos
Thursday: The Message of Hosea
Friday: Church and State in Judah
Saturday: The Fall of Jerusalem