On the death of Solomon, B.C. 935, the empire which had been won by the sword and consolidated by the statesmanship of David, fell asunder, and five kingdoms took the place of one. These were:

1. The portion of Solomon's empire north of Mount Hermon and extending to the Euphrates revolted, and formed the Kingdom of Syria, having Damascus for its capital. This kingdom, at first small, soon rose to power, and at its height, under Hazael, was the leading nation in Asia, west of the Euphrates. It fell, about B.C. 750, under the power of Assyria.

2. South of Syria was the Kingdom of Israel, or the Ten Tribes, founded by Jeroboam, B.C. 935, soon after the death of Solomon. This included by far the larger portion of Palestine Proper, having 9,400 square miles, while the rival kingdom of Judah had but 3,400. It received the allegiance of all the tribes on the east of the Jordan. The boundary line between the two kingdoms ran south of Jericho, Bethel and Joppa. This line was, however, very variable, being moved northward or southward, according to the relative power of the kingdoms. Over this kingdom reigned nineteen kings, representing several dynasties, with intervals of anarchy and frequent change. Its capital was at first Shechem, then Tirzah, until Omri, the founder of the third dynasty, chose a permanent location at Samaria, which soon became to Israel all that Jerusalem was to Judah, and in time gave its name to the entire province. Its two religious sanctuaries were at Dan on the north, and at Bethel on the south, where the national worship to Jehovah, was maintained under the form of a calf or young ox.

3. The Kingdom of Judah included the tribe of that name, a portion of Benjamin, and perhaps of Simeon also, though the southern boundary was always uncertain. The Shefelah, or low hills, and the sea-coast, were probably controlled by the Philistines, though nominally belonging to Judah. This kingdom remained loyal to the house of David during all its history, and was ruled by twenty-one kings, all of one family. It was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, B.C. 587.

4. Moab lay east of the Dead Sea, between the brooks Arnon and Zered. It was nominally subject to Israel (the northern kingdom); but, from the indications of the history and of the Moabite Stone (a monument of Mesha, the king of Moab, erected in the time of Elisha the prophet), it may be inferred that it had its own government, and only occasionally paid tribute to the Ten Tribes. Strong kings, like Omri, Ahab and Jeroboam II., may have held power over it; but during most of the time it was practically independent.

5. Edom, south of the Dead Sea, had been conquered by David, and remained subject during the reign of Solomon. After the disruption it held to Judah about the same relation that Moab held to Israel, dependent and tributary, but not annexed as a part of the realm. There was a king of Edom during the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:9), but evidently subject to Judah. The Edomites finally gained their independence during the reign of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 8:16-22), despite a defeat which they suffered at Zair (probably Seir, or Sela). Like all the kingdoms around it, this kingdom fell under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar.

These five provinces or kingdoms are represented upon the map according to their general boundaries during most of the time from the age of Solomon to that of Nebuchadnezzar, when all the East was united under one mighty sceptre. Historically, the epoch requires the consideration of several periods, as follows:

1. The Period of Division (B.C. 935-842), during which three kingdoms—Syria, Israel and Judah—strove for supremacy. This extends from the reign of Jeroboam to that of Jehu in the north; and from Rehoboam to Joash in Judah. During the first half-century of this period, wars were constant between Israel and Judah. During the latter half-century the growing power of Syria compelled an alliance between the rival kingdoms, and nearly all the battles were between Israel and Syria. The leading events of this period were: (1.) The accession of Rehoboam, followed by the disruption of the kingdom, and the breaking up of Solomon's empire. (2.) The invasion of Judah by Shishak, king of Egypt, and the loss of all the treasures of David and Solomon (2 Chron. 12), which permanently crippled the kingdom. (3.) The wars of Jeroboam with Judah, culminating in the battle of Zemaraim, near Bethel, a signal defeat for Israel. (2 Chron. 13.) (4.) The invasion of Judah by the Ethiopians under Zerah, and the victory of Asa at Mareshah. (2 Chron. 14.) (5.) The introduction of the worship of Baal into Israel, by Ahab, and with it the appearance of the prophet Elijah. (1 Kings 16-19.) (6.) The wars with Syria, with the victory of Israel at Aphek, and the defeat at Ramoth-gilead. (1 Kings 20-22.) (7.) The invasion of Judah, in the reign of Jehoshaphat, by the allied forces of Ammon, Moab and Edom, and their slaughter at Berachah. (2 Chron. 20.) (8.) The allied war of Israel and Judah with Moab, and the battle of Kir-haraseth, commemorated by the Moabite Stone, recently discovered. (2 Kings 3.) (9.) The revolt of Edom from Judah, in the reign of Jehoram. Jehoram gained a victory at Zair (probably Sela, or Petra), but could not retain supremacy over the Edomites.

2. The Syrian Period, B.C. 842-799, began with revolutions in the same year in Damascus, Samaria, and Jerusalem; by which Hazael mounted the throne of Syria, Jehu of Israel, and Athaliah, the queen-mother, usurped the throne of Judah. Hazael established a powerful kingdom. (2 Kings 8:7-15.) He conquered all of Israel east of the Jordan (2 Kings 10:32, 33), reduced Israel under Jehoahaz to a condition of vassalage (2 Kings 13:1-8), took Gath from Judah, and was only withheld from besieging Jerusalem by the payment of a heavy tribute. (2 Kings 12:17, 18; 2 Chron. 24:23, 24.) We insert an outline map of his kingdom and conquests.

The principal events of this period were as follows: (1.) The accession of Hazael in Syria, Jehu in Israel, and Athaliah in Judah, B.C. 842. (2.) The destruction of Baal worship in Israel. (2 Kings 10.) (3.) The conquests of Hazael on the east of Jordan. (2 Kings 10:32, 33.) (4.) The slaughter of Athaliah, and accession of Jehoash in Judah. (2 Kings 11.) (5.) The repairs of the Temple by Jehoiada. (2 Kings 12.) (6.) The prophecies of Jonah and Joel. (7.) The subjection of Israel under Hazael. (8.) Hazael's campaign against Judah, and capture of Gath. (9.) The death of Hazael.

3. The Restoration of Israel, B.C. 779-742. The Syrian conqueror, Hazael, left as his successor a weak prince, Ben-hadad III., who was unable to hold his dominions against the ability of the third king of the house of Jehu in Israel, Jehoash, or Joash, and his greater son, Jeroboam II. Under these two able rulers the kingdom of the Ten Tribes arose to its culmination, the territory lost was regained, nearly all Syria was conquered, Judah was made tributary, and Samaria gave laws to a large part of Solomon's empire. This period was marked as the era of two great prophets, Jonah and Joel; and, from its brilliant but brief prosperity, has been called "the Indian Summer of Israel." At the opening of this epoch, Amaziah reigned in Judah. He won a victory in Edom, but, venturing to attack Israel, was routed at Beth-shemesh; and, for the only time in Judah's history, the army of the Ten Tribes entered Jerusalem as victors. (2 Kings 14.) Uzziah, his successor, was more successful, and held his kingdom in security both against Israel and the enemies on the south. The outline map represents the kingdoms during the reign of Jeroboam II., about B.C. 800.

4. The Fall of Israel, B.C. 742-721. The decline of Israel after the reign of Jeroboam II. was rapid. A succession of usurpers seized the throne, the foreign conquests melted away, and anarchy prevailed. The cause of these sudden changes was the growth of the Assyrian power under a succession of warlike kings, who made Nineveh the capital of the Eastern world. Syria fell before their arms, and Israel soon followed. In the reign of Menahem, Israel became tributary to Assyria; and in that of Pekah, B.C. 735, the portion of Israel on the north, including the tribe of Naphtali, was carried into captivity by Tiglath-pileser. (2 Kings 15:29.) In the reign of Hoshea, Samaria itself was taken (B.C. 721) by Sargon (having been besieged by Shalmaneser); and the Ten Tribes were finally carried into captivity to Halah and Habor. (2 Kings 17.) This period belongs to the map of the Assyrian Empire.

5. The Fall of Judah, B.C. 721-587. The kingdom of Judah lasted more than a hundred years after that of Israel, though most of the time as a subject-nation to the "great king" of Assyria, to whom Ahaz and most of the kings of Judah after him paid tribute. The most important events of this period were: (1.) The reforms of King Hezekiah, and the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians under Sennacherib. (2 Chron. 30-32.) (2.) The captivity of King Manasseh among the Assyrians, and his return. (2 Chron. 33.) (3.) The attempt at reformation by King Josiah, and his death at the battle of Megiddo. (2 Chron. 34, 35.) (4.) The rise of the power of Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion of Judah, in the reign of Jehoiakim, B.C. 606. From this date Judah was subject to Babylon, and the "seventy years' captivity" began. (5.) The rebellion of Zedekiah, the last king, against Nebuchadnezzar, the siege of Jerusalem, the destruction of the kingdom, and the final carrying of Judah into captivity to Babylon, B.C. 587.

We notice the most important wars, sieges and battles of this period, indicated upon the map of the Division of Solomon's Empire, by flags.

1. The battle of Zemaraim, near Bethel, fought between Jeroboam and Abijah, the second king of Judah, B.C. 917, and resulting in the defeat of Israel, and the ruin of Jeroboam's plans of ambition. (2 Chron. 13.)

2. The battle of Mareshah, in Judah, on the border of the mountain region, in which King Asa defeated Zerah, the Ethiopian king of Egypt, and an immense host, B.C. 900. (2 Chron. 14.)

3. The siege of Samaria, by Ben-hadad, king of Syria, in the reign of Ahab, who was able to repel the invaders. (1 Kings 20.) We notice, that from this time, for a century, the principal wars of Israel are with Syria.

4. The victory at Aphek, won by Ahab over Ben-hadad and the Syrians. Ahab, however, allowed the fruits of the victory to be lost, when he might have made it decisive in its results. (1 Kings 20:26-43.)

5. The battle of Ramoth-gilead, in which the Syrians, under Ben-hadad, were victorious over allied Israel and Judah, and Ahab was slain. (1 Kings 22.)

6. The slaughter of the allied Moabites, Ammonites and Edomites, at Berachah, "the valley of blessing," in the reign of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. (2 Chron. 20.)

7. The war of Israel, Judah and Edom, against the Moabites, in which a great battle took place at Kir-haraseth, in the land of Moab, when the king of Moab offered his own son as a sacrifice in presence of the contending armies. (2 Kings 3.) This was during the reign of Jehoshaphat in Judah, and of Jehoram in Israel.

8. A second siege of Samaria, by the Syrians, under Ben-hadad, in the reign of Jehoram; and a miraculous deliverance. (2 Kings 6, 7.)

9. A battle at Zair (probably Sela, or Petra), in Edom, in which Jehoram was surrounded by the revolting Edomites, and won a victory, yet could not prevent the Edomites from gaining their liberty. (2 Kings 8:21, 22.)

10. The capture of Gath, by the Syrians, under Hazael, in the reign of Jehoash, king of Judah. (2 Kings 12:17.)

11. The victory of King Jehoash, of Israel, over the Syrians, at Aphek, foretold by Elisha. (2 Kings 13:17-25.)

12. The battle of Beth-shemesh, a victory of Israel over Judah, resulting in an Israelite army entering Jerusalem, in the reign of Amaziah. (2 Kings 14.)

13. The final capture of Samaria by the Assyrians, and the extinction of the kingdom of the Ten Tribes. (2 Kings 17:1-6.)

14. The battle of Megiddo, in which King Josiah, of Judah, lost his life while resisting the invasion of Pharaoh-necho, the king of Egypt. (2 Kings 23:29.)

15. Two battles at Carchemish, near the Euphrates, in the first of which, Pharaoh-necho, of Egypt, was victorious (B.C. 608) over the Assyrians, and in the second (B.C. 606) was thoroughly defeated by Nebuchadnezzar, and compelled to relinquish all his conquests in Asia. (2 Chron. 35:20.)

16. The destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and the extinction of the kingdom of Judah. (2 Kings 25.)

1. Draw on the blackboard the map of Solomon's Empire, as already given, showing its boundaries, and placing on it the city of Jerusalem, the river Jordan, etc.

2. Divide the map into the five kingdoms of Syria, Israel, Judah, Moab and Edom, and show their capitals and political relations.

3. Drill the class upon the leading events of the five historical periods named in the above description, placing upon the map the localities named in the history.

4. Name the battles of the periods, and state the circumstances of each battle, placing them upon the map in their historical order.

5. Through all the work let the class draw their own maps, following that upon the board, and at the close carefully review all the work. This subject might require several lessons in a normal class.