Timeline era

Divided Kingdom

Israel and Judah, their kings and prophets, Assyrian pressure, the fall of Israel, and Judah’s last years.

Dates931–722 BC for Israel; 931–586 BC for Judah (exact reign dates debated)
Primary regionCanaan & Israel
Key texts1 Kings 12–22; 2 Kings 1–25; 2 Chronicles 10–36
Covered in classSession 3, Session 7, Session 10

What the sources say, and how sure we are

The text says
After Solomon, the kingdom divides. The northern kingdom, Israel, has a series of dynasties and falls to Assyria. The southern kingdom, Judah, remains under David’s line until Babylon takes Jerusalem.1 Kgs 12; 2 Kgs 17; 2 Kgs 25
Outside evidence
Outside records confirm many names and events. These include Ahab at the battle of Qarqar (853 BC), Omri in the Mesha Stele, Jehu’s tribute on Shalmaneser III’s Black Obelisk, Sennacherib’s siege of Judah in 701 BC, and the Babylonian capture of Jerusalem in 597 BC.Kurkh Monolith; Mesha Stele; Black Obelisk; Sennacherib Prism; Babylonian Chronicle (ABC 5)
Debated
Dates for individual kings differ by a few years among scholars, because Israel and Judah counted reigns differently. Edwin Thiele’s scheme is widely used, but others propose changes.
Christian conclusion
Christians read the prophets of this era as warnings of judgment and promises of a coming king and a new covenant.Isa 9:6–7; Jer 31:31–34