This divided situation is the one described in ancient Near Eastern texts, for instance,
Neo-Assyrian records. These records are silent, however, concerning the earlier United
Monarchy, and there are fierce disagreements about whether the archaeology of ancient
Palestine points to its existence or not.
Each kingdom had its own domestic, foreign and religious policies. Several dynasties,
including Ahab‟s and, later, Jehu‟s, ruled in the North, which was larger and more
powerful. In 722B.C.E the Neo-Assyrian Empire destroyed the northern kingdom. The
last king to rule in the less powerful southern kingdom of Judah, Zedekiah, came, like all
previous kings of Judah, from David‟s line. Zedekiah was exiled in 587B.C.E. by the Neo-
Babylonian Empire, when Jerusalem was captured. From then on, these lands were not
independent states with their own kings, but colonies ruled by governors, in a series of
Near Eastern empires. The kingdom that David had founded had lasted just over four
centuries.
[See the „Timeline of Empire and Exile in the ancient Near East‟ at http://www.sbl-
site.org/assets/media/Timeline.swf]
KINGSHIP IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
In the ancient Near East, people who lived in rural or hard-to-reach places were often
not ruled by a king. Their societies were usually small-scale and tribal, like early Israel.
But practically without exception, where there were cities, there were kings. These kings
also ruled the towns, villages, and farmland around the city. In some cases, a kingdom
included several major cities. This was true of ancient Egypt, Assyria, and Babylonia.
Kings made great achievements by organizing and controlling resources (including
manpower) on a large scale. The great pyramids that still stand in Egypt are a staggering
example of this. Kings often built temples, fortified cities, and mustered armies for war.
Whether or not the labourers involved had any choice in the matter, many of these
activities were aimed at benefitting the community as a whole: a great temple pleases the
protecting god; a well-fortified city protects its inhabitants; an army can fight off
invaders or expand a territory; etc.
It is easy to see how a king, the facilitator of all this beneficial work, might become a
figure of national pride and love, as a great builder or a warrior. Indeed, most ancient
Near Eastern writing about kings is positive. For instance, a common title applied to
ancient Near Eastern kings is „shepherd of the people‟, which shows how they were seen
as essential for the wellbeing of their „meek‟ subjects. Without a doubt the kings
themselves encouraged these positive titles, and they had the power to, since writing was
one of the resources that a king controlled. Because of this, the texts we have that talk
about kings probably only tell half the story about their lives and deeds (i.e., the good
bits!), and the good they did for their people.
Kings also used painting and sculpture to convey messages. This was probably more
important than writing, since most people in the ancient Near East could not read. Kings
invested a great deal of resources in images of themselves that showed their power and
strength, and we often see kings as mighty heroes in vivid scenes of combat. For
instance, violent and unrealistic scenes of the Neo-Assyrian king Asshurbanipal (7
th
c
B.C.E.) hunting and slaying lions covered the walls his palace in Nineveh.