After studying David and Solomon's rule in Jerusalem last week, we begin a study of Hezekiah's Jerusalem and learn about the civil war that ensued after Solomon died. After David and Solomon died, the "Golden Age" ended and Solomon's son, Rehoboam, takes control of the country. Instead of appeasing the Northern tribe who asked for lower taxes in trade for submission to the king, Rehoboam gives the northern tribes even higher taxes, saying that he is greater than his father Solomon. Insulted, the Northern tribes revolt and this causes a civil war. The Northern kingdom named themselves Israel, placed their capital at Samaria, and appointed Jereboam as their leader. The Southern kingdom named themselves Judah, placed their capital at Jerusalem, and declared Rehoboam as king. The northerners no longer were able to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem, so alternate shrines named Dan and Bethel were built so people could worship there instead of at Jerusalem.
During the 8th Century, the Assyrian Empire began to rise to power and they began to get involved with Jerusalem and its affairs. The Northern kingdom of Israel make a pact with Syria and wage war against the Southern kingdom of Judah. In response to this, Judah aligns itself with the massive Assyrian Empire. With the aide of the Assyrians, Judah is able to destroy much of the Northern kingdom. In 721 BCE, Israel falls when its capital is taken. Execution of enemies was natural in those times, and that is exactly what the Assyrians did. They executed, deported, and enslaved everyone in the Northern kingdom. This is called ethnic cleansing, and it is still done today but to a much lower degree.
As all of this happened, Jerusalem began to grow and expand as northerners immigrate to Jerusalem for refuge in its high walls. Afraid of being publically executed by the Assyrians, the northerners fled into cities that contained high walls. There was a 400% population increase in Jerusalem and the City of David expanded quickly. Once Jerusalem began increasing in size and becoming more powerful, Hezekiah prepared to rebel against Assyria. Large stock piles of food were stored, walls were being refortified, and tunnels were being built for quicker water transport. Hezekiah would soon lead Jerusalem in a war against their former protectors, the Assyrians.
No comments:
Post a Comment