When was Israel divided?

Answer 1

AnswerAccording to the First Book of Kings, Israel and Judah became divided when Rehoboam succeeded Solomon as king of the United Kingdom of Israel. The swingeing taxes that his father had unwisely imposed, along with Rehoboam's arrogant insistence on continuing to impose them, regardless of hardship, resulted in the rebellion of the north. The northern kingdom, known as Israel, broke away under Jeroboam, while Rehoboam continued as king of the southern kingdom of Judah.

However, modern scholars see the history of Israel and Judah differently, many doubting even the existence of King Solomon. Finkelstein and Silberman (The Bible Unearthed) believe that the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were always separate, with different life styles, different pottery, different myths and legends, and even speaking different dialects of Hebrew. They insist there is no evidence the kingdoms ever were united.

Answer 2

According to the Book of Kings, the United Monarchy of Israel split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the much smaller kingdom of Judah approximately 920 BCE, during the reign of Rehoboam, who insisted on continuing the unwise policies of his father, Solomon. However, the respected Israeli archaeologist, Israel Finkelstein, says that there never was a United Monarchy of Israel. The two kingdoms were always separate, with their own separate cultures and dialects of the Hebrew language. The story of a united kingdom under David and Solomon was created later, after the destruction of Israel, and contributed much to national pride among the people of Judah. It was also used to justify the hoped for 'recovery' of the lost territory of Israel.

Answer 3

According to The Bible, the United Monarchy called Israel was divinded into the separate kingdoms of Judah and Israel shortly after the beginning of the reign of Rehoboam, or perhaps a little earlier than 900 BCE.

Archaeologists such as Israel Finkelstein say that there never was a united monarchy, and that Israel and Judah had always been separate, with their own identifiable cultures, pottery and even separate dialects of the Hebrew language. Therefore, Israel never was divided.

Answer 4

According to traditional chronology, the events described below took place in 796 BCE. Non-traditional opinions place it at an earlier date.

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.

A deeper reason is that God wanted the more righteous people of Judah to be influenced by the Ten Tribes as little as possible.

See also:

Solomon's errors

Jewish history timeline

Answer 5

This occurred under Rehoboam, when he refused to lower taxes and so the northern tribes rebelled. This was around 975 BC.

Answer 6

975 b.c