History & Culture

Judah vs. Israel

After Solomon's death the united kingdom split in two: the ten northern tribes kept the name "Israel" (capital Samaria), while the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin became the kingdom of "Judah" (capital Jerusalem), which alone kept David's royal line.

Point by Point

Judah Israel
Formation Formed in 931 BC when the ten northern tribes rejected Rehoboam's harsh rule (1 Kings 12). The southern kingdom that remained loyal to David's dynasty under Rehoboam.
Capital city Various capitals, settling on Samaria. Jerusalem, site of the Temple, throughout its history.
Fall Conquered by Assyria in 722 BC; the ten tribes were deported and largely lost to history. Conquered by Babylon in 586 BC; exiled but later returned and rebuilt Jerusalem.

Scripture References

The Kingdom Divides

1 Kings 12:16-20
16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. 20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

The historical moment the united kingdom splits into Israel (north) and Judah (south).

The Fall of Samaria

2 Kings 17:6-7
6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7 For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,

Israel's end at the hands of Assyria, explained as judgment for persistent idolatry.

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