The approximate dates for the Age of th

The Babylonian Exile extended from around 586-540 B.C. The time span began with the overrunning of the Southern Kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians until the Jews were allowed to return home again by the Persians, who captured the Babylonians. The Jews were strong and most kept the faith through this period. Many of them made a names for themselves by holding on to their traditions in the face of persecution. Daniel refused to eat the king’s meat. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to idol worship and in turn were thrown into a firey furnace, yet did not die

The next period was Theocracy, or rule of Judges which took place around the same time as the re-entry into the Promised Land until the establishment of the monarchy. During this time the form of government they used was a theocracy, or God-ruled state. The rulers or leaders were called judges who acted as military advisors whose function was to guide the Israelites and give them direction from God about how to win battles and defeat their enemies. One important judge was Gideon who was famous for defeating the Midianites with a small army of only 300. Samson, Deborah, and Samuel were also important judges. The twelve tribes united into a religious community during this period as well. This union would last throughout the period of Judges and during the reigns of King Saul, David, and Solomon before breaking apart.

This lead to the last period, the Intertestimental period. This was when there was silence from heaven. Israel had to wait 400 years before the messiah was born. The Jews were allowed to return to their homeland during this period by the Persian king Cyrus. Some stayed in Babylon, and some returned home to find their Temple destroyed. Two prophets, Ezra and Nehemiah, encouraged the rebuilding of the Temple. Zerubabbel helped with the rebuilding when it came time for it. But eventually the Jews were overrun.

Following the reign of Judges came the United Kingdom. This period lasted from 1000 B.C. to 922 B.C. Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, ruled during this tìme. Most of his reign was marked by continuous fighting. He was a good military leader and was looked up to by the people. He was plagued by depression towards the end of his reign and commited suicide after being wounded in battle. David succeeded him. David's reputation was built when he slew Goliath with only a slingshot. He continued to lead the Israelites into military victories. His son, Solomon, succeeded him. Unlike the kings before him, Solomon rule

Some topics in this essay:
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