How did ancient Israel people live?

Answer 1

Except for the combined reigns of King David and Solomon, with the exception of the Levites, the Hebrew people have throughout all of reccorded history, lived in miserable poverty. Constant war, constantly spending on soldiers, robbed the ancient Hebrews of a prosperous existence, the only time like I said, ancient Israel knew prosperity, was during the reigns of David and Solomon. The Levites are the notable exception however; being the defacto breeding stock from which the Cohanim priests were drawn, because of often exorbitant worship taxes, most of the members of the Levite tribe were fabulously wealthy in fact, when the temple was built, what were originally worship taxes, became temple taxes. The truth of the matter is that, except for their time in Egypt as slaves, the Levites and their descendants have rarely ever lived in poverty. Throughout the duration of ancient Israel's existence, and throughout the diaspora, the Levites have always enjoyed great wealth, collectively speaking, they have always been greedy. Note, that I am saying, especifically, the Levites, not the whole of the Jewish people. Ashkenazi Jews are the modern descendants of the tribe of Levi.