After the death of Solomon, the tribes once again split along territorial and political lines, with Judah and Benjamin in the south loyal to the Davidic house and the rest of the tribes in the north ruled by a succession of dynasties. He ruled from Hebron and later Jerusalem over all the tribes of Israel and following his death was succeeded by his son, Solomon. David’s struggle with the house of Saul ended in victory for him and all the elders turned to David for royal leadership. Upon his death, Saul’s son was accepted by all the tribes as the new king, save Judah and Simeon who preferred David. Under the impact of military pressures, the Israelites felt compelled to turn to Samuel with the request that he establish a monarchy, and Saul was crowned to rule over all the tribes of Israel. Shiloh served as a sacral center for all the tribes, housing the Ark of the Covenant under the priestly family of Eli. During this period of settlement, and the subsequent period of the Judges, there was no predetermined pattern of leadership among the tribes though various crises forced the tribes into cooperative action against enemies. After wandering for 40 years in the desert under the leadership of Moses, the twelve tribes enter the land of Canaan with Joshua in command.Īfter conquering the land, each tribe was allotted an individual territory to settle. By this time the nation numbered “600,000 men on foot” which is usually understood to be military-aged men excluding women and children.Īt Mount Sinai, the Israelite nation is given its laws and regulations - the Torah - and affirms their covenant with God. God “remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob,” made Himself known to Moses and rescued the Israelites from Egypt.

Tribes of israel