The Divided Kingdom
(930-586 BC): Iron Age II

The brief peace of Solomon's reign ends abruptly upon Rehoboam's ascent to the throne. The civil strife which roiled during David's time gave way to a complete separation between the Northern and Southern tribes of Israel. Thus, Israel and Judah engage in greater idolatry than ever before as their kings make alliances and introduce new deities to curry their favor. Against this background the prophets begin to speak against the two kingdoms and call them to repentance.