ISRAEL'S RELATION TO OTHER PEOPLES

1. After the division the northern kingdom did not come in contact with Egypt to an extent equal to that of Judah. Shishak invaded Judah while Rehoboam was king, and he recorded on his monuments the fact that he invaded Israel also. The last king of Israel attempted an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. The Philistines do not seem to have interfered much with Israel during its separate history. At one time the army of Israel besieged a city held by the Philistines. The Moabites were subject to Israel until they rebelled in the days of Jehoram, son of Ahab, and the latter failed in his attempt to subdue them. On the Moabite stone, now in the British Museum, Mesha, king of Moab, records his defeat of Israel at this time.

2. Phœnicia, on the northwest of Israel, was famous for its extensive commercial relations with all countries. Of its two chief cities, Tyre was easily defended from attack. It was the market for all kinds of commodities, from cloth to gold, and from fish to captive slaves. Its effect upon Israel was due to the peaceful relations existing between the two countries, rather than to open hostility. A good description of Tyre's important position is given by Ezekiel (ch. 26-28). Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city for thirteen years, but in vain. It was, however, conquered by Alexander.¹

3. To the northeast of Israel was Syria, or, using the Hebrew name, Aramea. Its capital was Damascus. The extent of its territory is not easy to determine. The Syrians were conquered by David, but were independent in the early days of the divided monarchy. When Asa, of Judah, was threatened by Israel he sent for help to Syria. There was war much of the time between Syria and Israel, with varying success. Ahab was assisted in his conflict with the Syrians by Jehoshaphat. The covenant that he had made with Ben-hadad before this time may be accounted for by the fact that both Israel and Syria were threatened by the advance of the king of Assyria. This king, Shalmaneser II., made four campaigns against Syria and other neighboring countries. During the last, Jehu submitted to his demands and paid him tribute. Afterward Hazael, king of Syria, renewed hostilities against Israel, probably because of the attitude of the latter toward this powerful enemy. About twelve years before Samaria fell, Syria was overthrown by Tiglath-pileser, to whom Ahaz had sent for help against Syria and Israel, who had united to conquer Judah. Thus Syria ceased to be a source of danger to Israel, but it also ceased to be a barrier against invasion by Assyria, a far greater danger.

4. Assyria was the country most important to Israel during its entire history. It lay in the upper part of Mesopotamia. It was powerful before the Israelites left Egypt. It had had some mighty kings, famous for their cruelty, before it came in contact with Israel. This contact took place first in the days of Shalmaneser II., who reigned, ac cording to the dates of the Assyrian monuments, 860-824 Ahab led two thousand chariots and ten thousand men to join the forces of other nations in opposing an invasion by this king. Twelve years later, 842, Jehu paid tribute to him. The record of this is on the “black obelisk” found by Layard. After this the power of Assyria waned, but was restored by Tiglath-pileser II., 745-727. This king not only conquered and plundered, but sought to unite conquered countries to Assyria. About one-fourth of the conquered peoples were deported to Assyria that they might become Assyrians. He received tribute from Menahem, king of Israel. In the account given of him in the Bible he is called Pul. He subdued Syria and Israel at the time that Ahaz sent to him for help. He carried many captive Israelites away with him at this time. At his instigation Pekah was slain, and Hoshea ascended the throne of Israel. His son, Shalmaneser IV., 727–722, B. C., received tribute from Hoshea, and when he rebelled he was put in prison. He laid siege to Samaria for three years, but just before the city fell he was succeeded by Sargon, who carried the Israelites into captivity.

The Israelites were removed to the cities of Assyria according to the regular custom of the kings of Assyria. There they no doubt were soon assimilated to the Assyrians, with whom the captives usually intermarried. The Israelites had nothing to tend to keep them isolated from those among whom they dwelt. They were idolatrous in religion, and did not care enough about Jehovah to obey him in those things that would have kept them distinct. Any attempt to identify the Israelites with some modern people of course is vain.

SUMMARY.

1. The relation of Israel with Egypt, Philistia, and Moab.

2. The influence of Phœnicia upon Israel; the power of Tyre.

3. Syria: its conflicts with Israel; its overthrow by Assyria.

4. Assyria: its importance; powerful kings; takes tribute from Israel; carried away captives; overthrew the kingdom of Israel. The reasons why the Israelites were easily lost as a separate people.

1) “Story of Phœnicia,” Rawlinson.