en_bc/articles/israelnkingdom.md

# Israel (Northern 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.” All of the tribes except for Judah and Benjamin made up the northern kingdom of Israel. The capital city of the kingdom of Israel was Samaria.

All the kings of the kingdom of Israel were evil. They caused the people to worship idols. God punished the people by allowing the Assyrians to defeat the northern kingdom of Israel (see: 2 Kings 17). This happened about 720 years before Jesus was born. The Assyrians took many of the Israelites to live in Assyria. The Assyrians brought foreigners to live among the remaining people of the kingdom of Israel. Some of the Israelites married some of the foreigners. Their descendants became the Samaritan people.

See: [Israel](../articles/israel.md); [Tribes of Israel](../articles/tribesisrael.md); [Judah (Southerm Kingdom)](../articles/judah.md); [Worship](../articles/worship.md);[Idolatry (Idol)](../articles/idolatryidol.md);[Punish (Punishment)](../articles/punish.md); Exile;[Samaria](../articles/samaria.md);[Ancestor and Descendant (Fathers, Forefathers, Patriarchs)](../articles/ancestor.md)