The kingdom of Israel swiftly divides after Solomon’s death. The ten northern tribes split from the two southern tribes. This creates two kingdoms—the northern kingdom, called Israel, and the southern kingdom, called Judah.

The northern kingdom of Israel declines rapidly. Rather than following a Davidic king, it follows a succession of unfaithful kings. Rather than worshiping the Lord in the temple, the people worship idols in shrines. After two hundred more years of astonishing patience, God eventually judges them with exile. The Assyrians conquer and carry many Israelites away in 722 BC. The southern kingdom of Judah also declines, but at a slower rate. The next narrative shows how God eventually uses the superpower Babylon to send Judah into exile in 586 BC.