In what year did the twelve tribes of Israel separate into two nations?

Answer 1

According to biblical chronology, the two states separated approximately 921 BCE. This is confirmed in 1 Kings and 2 Kings by the king list for the northern kingdom of Israel, which was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BCE, a date that has been fixed by historians.

However, there is a growing consensus among scholars that there never was a united monarchy of Israel. Lester L Grabbe (Ancient Israel) expresses the emphatic view is that if indeed there was a United Monarchy, it was not as The Bible pictures it.

Answer 2

Soon after Solomon's death in 796 BCE. Non-traditional opinions place this at an earlier time.

Rehoboam's father, King Solomon, had levied relatively heavy taxes, which had been used for such large-scale endeavors as building the First Temple. After Solomon's death, the people approached his son Rehav'am (Rehoboam) and asked that he lower the taxes. He ignored the counsel of his elder advisers and refused the people's request. This led the Ten Tribes to turn away from him (1 Kings ch.12).The background reason was because King Solomon had been less than perfectly righteous. This led God to punish him by diminishing his dynasty in the lifetime of his son (Rehoboam). 1 Kings ch.11.

See also:

Solomon's errors

Jewish history timeline

Answer 3

Traditional chronology places this event in (or shortly after) 796 BCE. Non-traditional opinions place it earlier. See also:

Why did they split

Reliability of the Hebrew Bible

Answer 4

Another answer from our ocmmunity:

According to traditional chronology it was in or about 796 BCE.