The Israelites originated in Canaan but left around 1400 BC due to a drought, traveling to Egypt where they became enslaved. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt in the Exodus of 1290 BC, receiving the Ten Commandments from God. After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites regained the Promised Land of Canaan under judges and sought to unite against the Philistines by choosing Saul as their first king, followed by David who expanded the kingdom and Solomon who succeeded him.

1. Origins & Early Kingdom

2. The First Israelites
 C. 1400 B.C. – Israelites left Canaan because of a
drought, head to Egypt
 Canaan is located in southwest Asia

3. Who were the Israelites?
 They were monotheistic
 Their religion is now known as Judaism
 They spoke Hebrew
 They were descended from Abraham
 Abraham is connected to all three monotheistic
religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam
 Abraham’s descendents from the 12 tribes of Israel

4. From Slavery to Freedom
 Arrived in Egypt because of drought, became enslaved
 Moses saved by the pharaoh’s daughter
 10 plagues of Egypt
 C. 1290 – Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, this was
known as the Exodus

5. What are the Ten
Commandments?
 Laws received by Moses on Mt. Sinai
 Laws became part of the Torah
 Torah became holy book of the Hebrews
 Torah describes covenant with God (Israelites return to
Canaan)

6. The Promise Land
Took 40 yrs. to return to Canaan
Israelites regained Jericho
Took judges as leaders
One group of Israelites, Phoenicians,
were skilled sailors and traders
Phoenicians created an alphabet (basis
for the English alphabet)

7. The Israelites chose a King
C. 1000 B.C. – Philistines were the
strongest people in Canaan
The Israelites wanted a king to unite
them against the Philistines
The prophet Samuel was asked to
choose the King
Samuel warned against this

8. The Israelites chose a King
Israelites chose Saul, a warrior-farmer
Samuel anointed Saul
God displeased with Saul disobeying
Him
Samuel anoints David as king

9. David and Solomon
David defeats enemies and creates an
empire
Requires tribute to be paid
Heavy taxes to expand Jerusalem, new
capital
Wrote the Psalms
Solomon becomes king, after David
died