The Hebrew kingdom and its rulers. The Capital of the Hebrew Kingdom

The Hebrew kingdom described in the Bibleexisted in the XI-X centuries. BC. e. By this period, the reign of the kings of Saul, David and Solomon is attributed. With them, the Jewish people lived in a single powerful centralized state.

Age of Judges

The history of Palestine of those distant times is associated witha lot of myths and legends about the truthfulness of which continue to argue historians and researchers of ancient sources. The Hebrew kingdom is best known for the Old Testament, which describes the events of this era.

Before the emergence of a single state, the Jews livedunder the guidance of the judges. They were elected from among the most authoritative and wise members of society, but they did not have actual power, but only allowed internal conflicts between residents. At the same time, the Jews were in constant danger, coming from aggressive nomadic neighbors. The main threat was the Philistines.

Election of King Saul

Approximately in 1029 BC. e. the troubled people demanded that Samuel (one of the judges) elect the most worthy candidate from the prophet. The sage at first dissuaded his fellow tribesmen, convincing them that the power of the military leader would turn into dictatorship and terror. Nevertheless, ordinary people groaned from the invasion of enemies and continued to insist on their own.

Finally, according to the Bible, Samuel turned toadvice to God, who replied that the young man Saul from the tribe of Benjamin should become king. It was the most insignificant of Jewish families. Soon the prophet brought the applicant to the thirsty people. Then it was decided to cast lots to confirm the correctness of the king's choice. He really pointed to Saul. Thus appeared the Hebrew kingdom.

Prosperity of Israel

The first years of Saul's rule were the timerelief for all his people. The military leader assembled and organized an army that was able to protect the fatherland from enemies. During the armed conflicts, the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Idumea were defeated. Particularly fierce was the confrontation with the Philistines.

The Emperor was religious. He dedicated every victory to God, without which, in his opinion, the Hebrew kingdom would have long ago died. The history of his wars against neighbors is described in detail in the Bible. In the same place, the character of the young Saul is revealed. He was not only a religious, but also a very humble man. In his free time from power, the sovereign himself cultivated the field, showing that he is no different from the inhabitants of his country.

Conflict between the king and the prophet

After one of the campaigns between Saul and Samuelthere was a quarrel. Its cause was the blasphemous act of the king. On the eve of the battle with the Philistines, he himself performed a sacrifice, while he did not have the right to do so. This could only be done by clergymen, or rather Samuel. Between the king and the prophet there was a break, which became the first signal of the onset of difficult times.

Samuel, left the yard, was disappointed in Saul. He decided that he had put the wrong person on the throne. God (whose replicas are often found in the Bible) agreed with the cleric and offered him a new candidate. They became a young David, whom Samuel secretly anointed to reign.

David

The young man possessed many talents andamazing features. He was an excellent warrior and musician. His abilities became known at the court of the tsar. Saul at this time began to suffer from attacks of melancholy. The priests advised him to treat this ailment with the help of music. So at the court appeared David, who played the ruler on the harp.

Soon approached the king distinguished himself anotherfeat. David joined the Israeli army when the next war against the Philistines began. In the camp of the enemy the most terrible warrior was Goliath. This descendant of giants possessed enormous growth and strength. David summoned him to a personal duel and defeated him with his agility and sling. As a token of victory, the young man cut off the head of the defeated giant. This episode is one of the most famous and quoted throughout the Bible.

The victory over Goliath did David darlingpeople. Between him and Saul there was a conflict, developed into a civil war that shook the Hebrew kingdom. At the same time in Palestine once again wielded the Philistines. They defeated the army of Saul, and he committed suicide, not wanting to be in enemy captivity.

new king

So in 1005 BC. e. David became king. Even at the court of Saul, he married his daughter, thus becoming the son-in monarch. It is in the capital of the Hebrew kingdom of David was moved to Jerusalem, which has since become the heart of all national life. The new emperor patronized urban planning and beautification of the provinces.

Location of the Hebrew kingdom ofTime remains the subject of debate. If you refer to the Bible, we can assume that the borders of Israel ran from Gaza to the Euphrates. Like other rulers of the Hebrew kingdoms, David led a successful war against their neighbors. Nomads repeatedly discarded from the border when they undertaken a regular campaign of looting and bloodshed.

However, not all of David's reign was cloudless andcalm. The country once again had to go through a civil war. This time against the central government's own son Absalom rebelled David. He encroached on his father's throne, although he had a right to it. In the end, his army was defeated, and the prodigal son - assassinated the king's servants, contrary to the orders of the king.

Solomon

When David grew old and decrepit, again sharplyI raised the question of succession. The king wanted to transfer power to one of his younger sons, Solomon, who was distinguished by wisdom and abilities to governance. The choice of the father did not like the other eldest son - Adonijah. He even tried to organize a coup by appointing his own coronation during the life incapacitated father.

However, the attempt failed Adonijah. Because of his cowardice, he fled to the Tabernacle. Solomon forgave his brother after his repentance. At the same time, other participants in the conspiracy, among the officials and close associates, were executed. The kings of the Hebrew kingdom reliably held power in their hands.

Construction of the Temple of Jerusalem

After David's death began the actualSolomon's reign (965-928 gg. BC. e.). It was the heyday of the Hebrew kingdom. The country is reliably protected against external threats and steadily evolved and grew rich.

The main act was the construction of SolomonThe Temple in Jerusalem - the main Jewish shrine. This religious building symbolized the union of the whole people. Great work on the preparation of materials and the creation of the plan still did David. Shortly before his death, he handed the papers to his son.

Solomon began to build the fourthyear of his reign. He appealed for help to the king of the Phoenician city of Tire. From there came the famous and talented architects who led the direct work on the construction of the temple. The main religious building of the Jews became part of the royal palace. It was located on the hill, known as the Temple. On the day of the consecration in 950 BC. e. Ark of the Covenant - the main national relic was moved into the building. The Jews celebrated the end of construction in the past two weeks. The temple became a center of religious life, which attracts pilgrims from all Jewish provinces.

The death of Solomon in 928 BC. e. It puts an end to the prosperity of a unified state. Sovereign successors divided power among themselves. Since then, there was the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). The era of Saul, David and Solomon is considered the golden age of the Jewish people.