The Hebrews

I. A unique group of Mesopotamians

   A. Exodus (c. 1200 BCE)
        1. Moses
        2. The Covenant and Laws
            a. Book of Exodus
            b. law of Moses compared with Hammurabi's law

   B. In Canaan    
        1. The Ark of the Covenant
        2. Judges

II. The Kingdom of Israel (c. 1030 BCE)

A. Conflict with the Philistines
        1. Samuel chooses a king (Saul)

    B. King David  (c. 1000 BCE)
        1. Victory and expansion
        2. Jerusalem founded 

    C. King Solomon (c. 970)
        1. Temple built
        2. Following the Mesopotamian norm (too much)

III. Division and Defeat (c. 930-560 BCE)

A. Age of the Prophets

1. new way to hear and know God

2. written words of God

3. divine history: the Bible begins to take shape

B. Destruction of Northern Israel (721 BCE)

C. Babylonian Exile (586 BCE)

1. People of the Book

2. hope that divine history is not yet complete

D. Zion restored (541 BCE)

1. rebuilt in grand style by Herod the Great (c. 14 BCE)

2. destroyed by the Romans in 71 CE