Reheboam & Jeroboam כ' מרחשון תשע"א october 28, 2010

1. Split of the Kingdom Jeroboam’s New Altars Prophesy of Iddo The War with Shishak Reheboam & Jeroboamכ' מרחשון תשע"אoctober 28, 2010

2. Crisis • Ahija Hashiloni • Had anointed Jeroboam as the man who would split the kingdom • He did this during Solomon’s lifetime but he would not rule until the reign of Rehaboam • Jeroboam had potential • The meeting at Shechem • Went to Shcem to project power over the people • Advice of the Younger Advisors • Advice of the Older Advisors • Jeroboam • Returned from Egypt to be the spokesman of the rebellion Division of the kingdom

3. Different Reactions מלכים א פרק יד וַיִּקַּח אֶת אֹצְרוֹת בֵּית יְקֹוָק וְאֶת אוֹצְרוֹת בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ וְאֶת הַכֹּל לָקָח וַיִּקַּח אֶת כָּל מָגִנֵּי הַזָּהָב אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה שְׁלֹמֹה: וַיַּעַשׂ הַמֶּלֶךְ רְחַבְעָם תַּחְתָּם מָגִנֵּי נְחֹשֶׁת וְהִפְקִיד עַל יַד שָׂרֵי הָרָצִים הַשֹּׁמְרִים פֶּתַח בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ: • When Shishak invaded in the 5th year of Rehaboam’s reign • The Bubastite Portal claims that Shishak invaded in response to attacks by tribes into Egyptian frontier settlements • Rehaboam paid a large tribute including the golden shields that his father had placed in the Beis Hamikdsh • Jeroboam’s reaction is not mentioned the Navi but the inscription on the temple of Karnak tells us that Shishak destroyed many of the North’s cities • Archeologists have found evidence of destruction in line with the time of Shishak’s invasion • They found destruction in the north including , Taanach, Megiddo and in the south in the Negev in Arad Shishak’s Invasion

4. New Religion? photo by David Harris/Collection Israel Museum This molten calf was discovered by chance on a high ridge near Mt. Ebal, in northern Samaria. Subsequent excavations revealed what the excavator, Amihai Mazar, identified as a hilltop cult site—a biblical bamah, or “high place”—dating to the 12th century B.C.E., when Israel was emerging in Canaan. Measuring 5 inches tall by 7 inches long, this bronze is the largest figurine of a calf ever found in the Levant. Its empty eyesockets probably once held inlays of glass or semiprecious stones. The small hump on its back, above the forelegs, identifies this as a Zebu bull (Bos indicus), a species that originated in India but was present in the Near East as early as the fourth millennium B.C.E. Hurowitz, Victor. “The Golden Calf.” Bible Review, Apr 2004, 28-32, 47 • In order to prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem and delegitimize his own kingdom • Jeroboam made two temples one in Dan on in Bethel • At them people worshiped Golden Claves • Jeroboam had two sons Nadab and Abihu like Aaron to give the religion legitimacy • He moved Sukkos from Tishrei to MarCheshvan • Should not be understood as a new religion rather a return to older traditions that started after Matan Torah but and were still in the culture of those who were worshiping ע"ז in Israel weather Jew or non-Jew • Dan was already the center for Pesel Micha • He never repudiated his belief in Hashem and the calves were ways of worshiping Hashem • This is typical Syncretistic Worship • Due to this break with traditionally Jewish religion Iddo the prophet rebuked him and predicted complete destruction to Jeroboam’s line Jeroboam’s Claves

5. The brief reigns of Abija king of Judah &nadab king of israel

6. From the Split the Two Kingdoms were at War • Rehaboam builds fortresses along the Egyptian border • Abijam (son of Rehaboam) defeated Jerobaoam in battle on • דברי הימים ב פרק יג • וַיִּרְדֹּף אֲבִיָּה אַחֲרֵי יָרָבְעָם וַיִּלְכֹּד מִמֶּנּוּ עָרִים אֶת בֵּית אֵל וְאֶת בְּנוֹתֶיהָ וְאֶת יְשָׁנָה וְאֶת בְּנוֹתֶיהָ וְאֶת עפרון עֶפְרַיִן וּבְנֹתֶיהָ: • Nadab son of Jeroboam was assassinated by Baasha one of his senior officers while Israel was at war against the Philistines at Gibbethon • The Navi does not elaborate but it seems likely that he was because of the military weakness of the state of Israel brought about by Shishak’s invasion that Israel was not able to hold on to important cities such as Bethel and was under threat by the Philistines War Between the States

7. Baasha’s revolution in IsraelAsa in judah

8. War Between the States • Baasha killed the rest of Jeroboam’s family to allow him uncontested rule • Established a new capital in Tirzah • The Navi tells us that there was constant warfare with Judah against Asa the Tzadik king of Judah • Baasha had taken the city of Ramah and cut supplies to Jerusalem • Asa sent a bribe to Ben-Hadad king of Aram Damascus and asked him to invade Israel which he did which allowed Asa and Judah to attack Israel’s south • With Ben-Hadad’s invasion Asa was able to destroy Ramah and take the building materials and use them to fortify the Judean cities Gibeah and Mizpah Baasha and Asa

9. Revolution Construction Trade Agreements Economy Omri’s reign883-872 BCE

10. Elah son of Baasha and Zimri Omri • Was king in Tirzah for two years • The army was out besieging the city of Gibbethon • There was a revolt by one of his generals • Zimri the leader of the Chariot corps killed Elah and ruled for 7 days • When the news reached the army in Gibbethon two generals attempted to grab the throne • Tibni son of Ginath was followed by some of the army • Omri besieged Tirzah and when Zimri realized that his situation was hopeless set the palace on fire and killed himself • Omri and Tibni each claim to rule for a time (possibly as long as 6 years) until Tibni’s death Omri’s Revolution

11. Samaria • Omri ruled 12 years and is credited in the Navi with one major achievement • He bought and built a capital on the site of שומרון or Samaria • Tirzah was defensible and could control the Jordan valley but aside from that it was isolated • Samaria is strategically located, easily defended in the Ephraim highlands • Allowed for extensive relationship with Phoenicia • He also rebuilt the cities of Hazor Megiddo, Dan, and others destroyed during Baasha’s conflict with Ben-Hadad of Damascus Construction

12. Phoenicia • Omri entered into a treaty with Ittobaal (Ethbaal – in the Navi) • His son Ahab married Ethbaal’s daughter Jezebel • This treaty was mutually beneficial since the trade routes pass through Megiddo, Hazor and Israelite territory • The Kings Highway went from the Red Sea to Damascus also through Israelite territory • The Phonicians were able tap into the land trade routs to help increase their sea trade • This caused conflict with Aram-Damascus Trade Agreements

13. Top – proto-aeolic column head Bottom – Omride temple with dressed ashlars masonry • The Jezreel Valley • Building • Proto-Aeolic or proto-Ionian columns • Dressed header and stretcher ashlars masonry • Ivory • I kings 22:39 • Fertile Jezreel Valley under the control of the Kings of Israel gave them a stable and predictable food surplus Economy of the Omrides

14. Map of the Jezreel Valley

15. Religion Prophecy Peace with Judah War with Aram Reign of Ahab 872-851 BCE

16. Baal and Ashera Baal and Ashera • Ahab worshiped the imported idols Baal and Ashera • Jezebel imported the cults to Israel from Tyre • Unlike other Kings of Israel Ahab attempted to abandon Judaism in favor of these idols • He wanted to undo our connection with Hashem • Historians have trouble believing in such a radical break from traditional values and minimize the dispute • According to them Ahab and the Israelite aristocracy were advocating an open form of worship with Hashem being just one of many powers Elijah fought for exclusive worship of Hashem Religion

17. Elijah & Other Prophets View from top of Mount Carmel looking over the Jezreel Valley • Elijah decrees drought on Israel in response to Ahab’s institutionalizing Baal worship • Ahab and his wife attempt to kill all prophets in Israel • Ovadya, who is Ahab’s steward saves 100 prophets in a cave • Has a test with the prophets of the Baal on Har Hacarmel • Rebukes Ahab for his conspiracy to steal the land of Nabboth from Jezreel through a fake trial • Other prophets are called to give messages to Ahab in time of war to let him know that Hashem is behind Ahab’s defeat of the Arameans Prophesy

18. Development • From Shofet • Deborah • Shmuel transition to monarchy • To Royal Advisor • Nathan and Gad • To Critique of the Kings • Elijah • Elisha • Both of whom first rebuke the Kings for Syncretistic worship • Secondarily for inhumane treatment of their subjects • Later focus on social ills • Amos • Isaiah • Prophecy of Destruction • Jeremiah • Prophecy of the Exile • Ezekiel • Prophecy of Rebuilding • Zachariah Prophecy

19. Jehoshaphat (870-846 BCE) Results of the Peace • Was the Son of Asa and became King of Judah • Made peace with Israel and is found fighting alongside of Ahab in his wars with Damascus and with Ahab’s son Jehoram in his war against Moab • He arraigned Ahab’s daughter Athaliah to marry his son Jehoram • (things become confusing when the king of Israel and the king of Judah have the same name. Sorry not my fault) • In spite of being called a צדיק by the Navi who tried but failed to removed the Baamos and tried to teach Torah to the nation • Judah still suffer losses because of the alliance with Israel • Loss of Edom • During Jehoshaphat’s lifetime Judah ruled over Edom • In his son’s reign they rebelled and Judah lost the territory • Loss of freedom in becoming a vassal of the kingdom of Israel • His new daughter-in-law Athaliah eventually kill almost all of his decedents and institutionalizes Baal and Ashera cults in Judah • Attempted an expedition from the Red Sea which failed Peace Between Israel and Judah

20. First Battle Second Battle • Ben-Hadad threatens the independence of Israel and demands a very high tribute • Ahab is assured by the prophet that he would win and should use the victory as sign to repent because the war is not over • Ahab does not repent and after • Ben-Hadad returns the next year and says that Hashem is only powerful in the mountains so they decide to fight on the plain • A Navi reports to Ahab that since he has not repented he should lose the battle but since an Israelite loss would mean that Ben-Hadad’s blasphemy is true Ahab will win • Ahab wins and has the Ben-Hadad trapped but when Ben-Hadad surrenders treats him as an equal and makes a treaty War Between Aram-Damascus and Israel

21. Final Battle • The incident with Nabboth from Jezreel • Elijah goes to Ahab and tells him that he will be killed by the king of Aram and that in two generations his dynasty would be killed off • Ahab repents – at least in public • After a three year peace Ahab decides to take Ramoth-Gilead from Aram • He and Jehoshaphat of Judah attack Aram and Ahab is killed in battle • The Israelites lose the battle and are weakened by the loss War Between Aram-Damascus and Israel

22. Rise of Assyria

23. Ashurnasirpal II (854-859 BCE) Shalmaneser III (859-824 BCE) • Contemporary of Omri • Built up the Army • Pillaged for wealth not territory • Conquered upper Mesopotamia and Northern Syria as far as the northern Phoenician coast • He conquered and was forced to leave either to put down a revolt or to attack elsewhere • Began to campaign annually in the Levant • Subjugated a Kingdom known as Bit Adini • 12 States in the Levant formed a coalition to hold off Assyria • This included Ahab of Israel and Haddezer of Damascus • According to Shalmaneser’s records Ahab provided 2,000, chariots and 10,000 Infantry • The largest contingent of chariots in the coalition • Ahab and the coalition held off Assyria in the battle of Qarqar • The temporary alliance between Damascus and Israel would account for the three years of peace and the defeat of Shalmaneser would account for the renewed hostilities between them Rise of Assyria

24. Map of Assyrian Campaigns in the Levant