It’s very useful to understand the history of the Kingdom of Israel and Judah. There are references in the New Testament to this period, as well as very important connections to Old Testament writings. What’s found below is just a primer for you to use as a small group leader.
A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Around 900 BC, Israel was ruled by King Solomon, who built the first Temple in Jerusalem and expanded the kingdom’s territories through trade and alliances with neighboring kingdoms. However, after Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into two, with the northern kingdom of Israel being ruled by a succession of monarchs and the southern kingdom of Judah being ruled by the descendants of Solomon.
Throughout the centuries that followed, both kingdoms faced a series of internal and external challenges. Israel was often embroiled in wars with neighboring powers, including the Assyrians and Babylonians, and was eventually conquered and assimilated by the Assyrians in 722 BC.
Judah, on the other hand, managed to maintain its independence for a longer period, but also faced numerous invasions, including those by the Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks.
Alexander the Great and Judah
In 332 BC, Alexander marched into Egypt and was welcomed as a liberator by the Egyptians, who had been under Persian rule for over two centuries. After establishing his rule in Egypt, Alexander continued his conquests, and in 331 BC, he invaded the Persian Empire, defeating the Persian king Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela.
After his victory over the Persians, Alexander turned his attention to the Levant, including the region of Judah. According to historical accounts, Alexander marched into Jerusalem, where he was received by the Jewish high priest Jaddua, who reportedly showed him a prophecy from the book of Daniel that predicted his conquest of Persia. Alexander was reportedly impressed and spared the city, granting the Jews the right to worship freely and exempting them from tribute for a period of time.
This event is known as the meeting of Alexander the Great and the high priest Jaddua, and it is seen as a significant moment in Jewish history, as it established a positive relationship between the Jews and the Greek conqueror. According to some accounts, Alexander even offered to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, but was reportedly dissuaded by his advisors, who feared that such an act would undermine Greek influence in the region.
Alexander’s conquest of the region marked the beginning of the Hellenistic period in Judah’s history, which saw a blending of Greek and Jewish cultures. Under the rule of Alexander’s successors, the region became increasingly Greek in its culture and language, but Jewish traditions and beliefs continued to be practiced and celebrated.
The Hellenistic and Hasmonean Periods in Judah
The period in Judah between Alexander the Great’s conquest and the Roman takeover is known as the Hellenistic period. It lasted from around 332 BCE to 63 BCE.
After Alexander’s conquest, Judah came under the rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which controlled Egypt. This period saw the spread of Greek culture and language throughout the eastern Mediterranean world, including Judah. Greek became the language of commerce and culture, and many Jews adopted Greek customs and practices.
In 198 BCE, the Seleucid Empire, which controlled Syria and parts of Asia Minor, conquered Judah and imposed its own rule. This period was marked by conflicts between the Jewish population and the Seleucid rulers, culminating in the Maccabean Revolt in 167 BCE. The revolt was led by the Hasmonean family, who established the Hasmonean dynasty and gained control over Judah.
The Hasmonean period was characterized by Jewish sovereignty and the revival of Jewish culture and religion. However, it was also marked by conflicts between the ruling family and different Jewish sects, as well as struggles with neighboring powers.
The Roman Conquest of Judah
In 63 BC, the Roman general Pompey conquered Jerusalem, and Judea became a client state of the Roman Empire. This period saw the rise of several Jewish revolts against Roman rule, including the First Jewish-Roman War, which ended with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD.
Despite the destruction of the Temple, Judaism continued to thrive in the region, and many Jewish communities flourished in the diaspora. The period from 70 AD to 200 AD was characterized by a growing tension between the Jewish community and the Roman authorities, culminating in the Bar Kokhba revolt in 132 AD. The revolt was eventually crushed by the Romans, and Jerusalem was rebuilt as a Roman city.