1/25/11

Hezekiah's Jerusalem: The Growth of the City:

To label an era "Golden" requires a leader(s) to leave behind monuments and/or evidence of a "united" kingdom.  Also, in David and Solomon's case, a divine promise can be received, remembered, and chronicled after building a great temple.  Rehoboam, Solomon's son, decided to rule even more harshly than his father, creating a permanent division between Israel, led by Jereboam, and Judah, led by Rehoboam.  The north set up alternate worshipping centers in Bethel and Dan to avoid the south, which had Jerusalem, Beer-Sheva, and the Arad Temple.  The Egyptian Shoshenq/Shishak invaded Jerusalem in 925 BCE and took away the treasures in Solomon's temple, an event that is inscripted in the Temple of Karnak.

Furthermore, Israel and Judah used Assyria and Syria, respectively, as allies in warfare.  Asa (King of Judah) allied with Ben-Hadad (Syria) and Jehu (King of Israel) sent a tribute to Shalmaneser III (Assyria), as depicted by the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III.  Assyria grew rapidly during the 7th and 8th centuries BCE, finally falling to the Babylonians in 609 BCE.  Their growth can partly be attributed to Shalmaneser's ruthless methods of conquest which include public impaling and massive deportations.  Jerusalem also grew during this period and experienced extensive urbanization.  There is also evidence of Hezekiah possibly making preparations (for an Assyrian attack?)