Geography
In which region did the Israelites first settle after leaving Mesopotamia?
They settled in Canaan, a land along the Mediterranean Sea that became the home of the Israelites.
What belief made the Israelites different from most other ancient civilizations?
The Israelites believed in one God (monotheism) instead of many gods (polytheism) like most other ancient civilizations.
Which king built the first great temple in Jerusalem?
King Solomon built the temple to honor God.
Who was the first king of Israel?
Saul was the first king, chosen to unite the tribes.
What did conquered peoples pay to Israel under King David?
They paid tribute (money or goods) as a sign of loyalty.
How did the Israelites split up their kingdom (how many, and what were they known as)? Who led each section?
The Israelites split their kingdom into 12 tribes. Each tribe was led by an elected judge.
What were the Ten Commandments, who received them and how did they guide the Israelites’ daily lives?
The Ten Commandments were moral and religious laws given to Moses by God. They taught the Israelites how to worship and treat others fairly.
What did King David accomplish for the Israelites?
He united the tribes, made Jerusalem the capital, and built a strong kingdom.
Why was David anointed king while Saul was still ruling?
Saul disobeyed God’s commands, so God chose David to replace him.
How did Solomon’s building projects affect the people economically? How did the Israelites feel about this?
His projects required heavy taxes and forced labor, which angered many Israelites.
Why did the Israelites move to Egypt, and what major event caused them to leave?
They moved to Egypt because of a drought and famine in Canaan. They later left in the Exodus when Moses led them out of slavery.
How did the Israelites’ faith strengthen during their time in the desert and exile?
They learned to rely on their God for protection and guidance when they had nothing else, which reinforced their identity as His chosen people.
How did the Israelites’ written laws and moral teachings influence later societies?
They became part of Western law and moral ideas about justice and equality.
What happened to Israel after Solomon’s death?
The kingdom split into Israel in the north and Judah in the south because of disagreements and high taxes.
What social changes occurred after the Israelites were conquered and exiled?
Families were separated, leaders were taken away, and religious life centered on study instead of temple worship.
DAILY DOUBLE: Which two kingdoms formed after Solomon’s death, and what was the capital of the southern kingdom?
After Solomon’s death, the Israelites split into two kingdoms — Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The capital of Judah was Jerusalem.
What message did the prophets bring to the Israelites about true faith and behavior?
The prophets taught that faith meant not only worshiping God but also creating a just society and treating others fairly.
How did the Babylonian exile of the Israelites lead to the development of new religious practices and traditions?
The Israelites were forced to leave Judah and live in Babylon, where they could no longer worship at the temple in Jerusalem. To preserve their religion, they began gathering in synagogues, studying the Torah, and following God’s laws in daily life.
How did the Assyrians and later the Chaldeans change life for the Israelites?
They conquered the kingdoms, destroyed temples, and forced the Israelites into exile, weakening their independence.
How did following the Ten Commandments influence Israelite society and behavior?
It encouraged fairness, honesty, and respect, helping to create a stable and moral society.
How did the Assyrian and Chaldean conquests change the map and population of ancient Israel?
The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and scattered the ten tribes across their empire, creating the “lost tribes.” Later, the Chaldeans (Babylonians) conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled thousands of Jews to Babylon, changing both the population and political control of the region.
Analyze how the Israelites’ belief in one God influenced later world religions.
Their belief in one all-powerful God became the foundation for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Evaluate how Solomon’s temple represented both a religious and political achievement for Israel.
It symbolized unity and devotion to God while showing the kingdom’s wealth and power.
Analyze how leadership decisions by Saul, David, and Solomon shaped the success and decline of Israel.
Their leadership brought unity and strength but also conflict, taxes, and division that led to the fall of the united kingdom.
Evaluate how religion, leadership, and foreign control combined to shape Israelite economic and social life.
Religious laws guided fairness and justice, but poor leadership and conquest caused inequality and hardship.