THE ASSYRIAN INVASION AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL (885-721)
Ten Tribes of Yisrael lost forever, but Yahudah humbly submits
This is one of the most confused periods in biblical history. During it the kingdom of Yisrael continued on the way to its complete and definitive downfall. The tragedy falls naturally into two distinct phases.
In the first period (885-734, that is, a century and a half), despite a marked spiritual decline, the development of a fine civilization can be observed. There seemed to be great hopes for the future if the formidable Assyrian threat had not already been taking shape on the banks of the Tigris.
The second phase is much shorter, lasting scarcely twelve years (734-721). The Assyrians launched a fierce attack on Samaria, the capital of Yisrael; there was looting and general massacre. The few survivors were deported to parts of Mesopotamia, or to even more remote countries, where every trace of them has been almost completely lost. The Ten Tribes of the northern State disappeared for ever from the field of history.
Meanwhile, the southern kingdom of Yahudah, completely terrorized, humbly submitted to the occupying power. Yerusalem paid the tribute demanded by the invader. Obviously, it could only be a short reprieve.
In the circumstances it was Yisrael, therefore, which played the major part against the Assyrian.
First Phase: The Strange Policy Of The Kingdom Of Yisrael (885-734)
To obtain as clear an idea as possible of this complex series of events we examine here the results of the three important policies of the period, in the spheres of economics, religion and foreign affairs.
Economic Policy of extravagant luxury
In 885 Omri became king of Yisrael and founder of the brilliant dynasty of the Omrides. The first concern of this clever monarch was to transfer his capital to Samaria, the impregnable citadel which he strengthened with powerfuI fortifications, capable of withstanding the heaviest assaults. On the esplanade which crowned this height he built a fine city with imposing monuments. Following the example of Solomon, whose memory was still very much alive in Canaan, Omri imported architects and decorators from the adjoining country of Phoenicia; he had ties of friendship with Ethbaal, king of Tyre. On the other hand, Ethbaal's daughter was given in marriage to Ahab, Omri's son and heir to the throne. In Samaria, and in the great cities of his kingdom, Omri encouraged the introduction and spread of Phoenician ideas and products. The taste for vast imposing monuments prevailed among the aristocracy, the military leaders and the high officials. Thus the kingdom of Yisrael reached a level of luxury and refinement hitherto unknown.
Ahab (874-53), Omri's son and successor, also displayed all the attributes of a great king. His wife Jezebel brought from Phoenicia the fashion for sumptuous dress and rich furnishings. Under the influence of the royal pair Samaria and Jezreel (the secondary capital) became highly civilized centres. The young sovereign took particular pleasure in adorning the palace begun by his father; at this time he built the celebrated 'house of ivory' in which lavish use was made of this exotic material which the Phoenician craftsmen carved so skillfully.
The governing classes of the northern kingdom followed their king's example in extravagant luxury.
In 841 a change of dynasty occurred. The new king, Jehu, was a rough soldier. His accession was marked by a violent reaction against the intrusion of the Phoenician Baals which had become popular in Yisrael at the time of the Omrides. The first result of this was that the northern kingdom broke off relations with the Phoenician territories. And the second was the abrupt arrest of the artistic movement which derived its inspiration solely from these same Phoenicians.
A magnificent reign which has been compared with that of Solomon
Nevertheless, forty years after this abrupt change one of Jehu's descendants -his name was Jeroboam II succeeded in inaugurating a magnificent reign which, all proper allowances being made, has been compared with that of Solomon. He was a shrewd administrator, on occasion a fearless warrior, but was intelligent enough to secure for his subjects a long period of peace. He appears to stand out above all the Omrides and descendants of Jehu by his undeniable genius.
While the kingdom of Yisrael was thus developing a remarkable prosperity, the kingdom of Yahudah continued on its uneasy course. Jehoshaphat, Omri's contemporary, had also married his son to a princess of Phoenician blood, the celebrated Athaliah, Jezebel's daughter. But her only contribution to Yerusalem was the idolatrous religion of her ancestors and none of the cultural refinement of the Phoenician countries.
At the end of the period, however, during the time that
Jeroboam II reigned over Yisrael, King Uzziah, sometimes called Azaraiah
(781-740), also inaugurated a period of peace and expansion. Under the firm
government of this king the southern kingdom experienced such progress that had
not been seen since the first days of Solomon's reign. At this time great
fortunes were built up in Yerusalem, at least among the aristocratic classes;
and in the country there was an intensive development of the great estates. But
the peasants and craftsmen were reduced to slavery.
PARALLEL TABLE OF THE KINGS OF Yahudah AND ISRAEL
From the death of Solomon (931 B.C.) to the end of the kingdom of Yisrael (721 B.C.)
| Assyria &Egypt |
Yahudah Southern Kingdom |
Prophets | Date | Yisrael Northern Kingdom | Prophets |
| Blow from Egypt Sheshonk (945-925) |
Rehoboam (931-913) Abijah (913-911) |
931 | Jeroboam (931-910 Nabab (910-909) |
||
| Blow from Assyria Assurnasirpal ll (883-859) |
Asa (911-870) Jehoshaphat (870-848) |
900 | Baasha (909-886) Elah (886-885) Omri (885-874) Ahab (874-853) Ahaziah (853-852) |
EliYah | |
| Shalmaneser lll (858-824) | Jehoram (848-841) Ahaziah 841 Athaliah (841-835) Joash (835-796) |
850 | Jehoram (852-841) Jehu (841-814) Jehoahaz (814-798) |
Elisha | |
| Adadnirari lll (810-783) | Amaziah 796-781 Uzziah 781-740 |
800 | Joash 798-783 Jeroboam II 783-743 |
Amos Hosea |
|
| Tiglath-Pileser III, (745-727) | Jotham 740-736 | Calling of YeshaYahu |
740 | Zechariah-Shallum 743 Menahem 743-738 Pekahiah 738-737 Hosea 732-724 |
|
| Shalmaneser V, 726-722 | 725 | Siege of Samarias Capture of Samaria |
|||
| Sargon II 721-705 | 721 | Deportation End of the kingdom of Yisrael |
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