en_bc/articles/judah.md

# Judah (Southern Kingdom)

The nation of Israel was made up of twelve tribes. The twelve tribes were one nation during the times of King Saul, King David, and King Solomon. After King Solomon died, the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms (see: 1 Kings 12:1-24). These kingdoms were called “Israel” and “Judah.” 

“Judah” was the name of the “southern kingdom.” It was located west of the Salt Sea. The kingdom of Judah was made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The tribe of Judah was the largest of the twelve tribes of Israel. The capital city of the kingdom of Judah was Jerusalem.

Eight kings of Judah obeyed God and caused the people to worship him. The other kings of Judah were evil and caused the people to worship idols. God punished the people by allowing the Babylonians to defeat the southern kingdom of Judah. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. They took the people of Judah captive. This happened almost 600 years before Jesus was born (see: 2 Kings 25). 

See: [Israel](../articles/israel.md); [Tribes of Israel](../articles/tribesisrael.md); [Israel (Northern Kingdom)](../articles/israelnkingdom.md); [Worship](../articles/worship.md); [Idolatry (Idol)](../articles/idolatryidol.md); [Punish (Punishment)](../articles/punish.md); [Babylon](../articles/babylon.md); [Temple](../articles/temple.md); [Exile](../articles/exile.md)