The Divided Kingdom
The Question:
How Did This Happen?
• The people requested a king.
– 1 Samuel 8:1-9, 19-20
• Three kings reigned over all the tribes of
Israel: Saul (40 yrs), David (40 yrs), & Solomon
(40 yrs).
• Because Solomon led the people away from
God, his descendants would not be allowed to
reign over or enjoy such a blessed nation.
– 1 Kings 11:28-39
Studying
The Divided Kingdom
• There Is Information In 5 Sets of Books
– 1 & 2 Samuel: The Formation of The Kingdom
– 1 & 2 Kings: The Explanation of The Division
– 1 & 2 Chronicles: The Salvation of The Remnant
– Captivity & Restoration: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
– The Prophets: Isaiah – Malachi
• The Good News For Personal Study
– Unfamiliar Names Have Little To Remember.
– They Are Arranged For Application & Understanding.
– The Themes Are More Important Than The Dates.
Key Events To Learn: A,B,C,D
• 1050 BC – The Kingdom is United with Saul as
the First King.
• 931 BC – The Kingdom is Divided with
Rehoboam and Jeroboam as kings.
- “The J’s don’t go together.”
• 722 BC – Israel Taken Into Assyrian Captivity
• 606 BC – Babylon Deports The First Captives
from Judah
• 586 BC – The Babylonians Destroy The Temple
• The Return: Issued by Cyrus; Enforced by Darius.
Key Events To Learn
• Their Punishment Will Last For 70 Years
– Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10-14
• The Return: Issued by Cyrus; Enforced by Darius.
– Isaiah 44:28, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23
• 606 BC to 536 BC = 70 Years of Captivity
– From 1st Captives Taken to the
First Remnant Returns
• 586 BC to 516 BC = 70 Years of No Temple Worship
– From Destruction of Temple to the
Rebuilding of the Temple Led by Haggai.
The Overriding Theme
• Disobeying God Leads To Slavery…
– Slavery to Assyria
– Slavery to Babylonia
– Ultimately, Slavery to Sin
• But Restoration Is Available!
– “You will seek Me and find Me when you search
for Me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13
The Divided Kingdom