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[[Image:Maps-divided-kingdom.gif|thumb|A map showing the divided kingdoms]]

''Synopsis:'' The history of the Israelites is a story of God's promises and steadfast love. It begins when God chose Abraham to go into the land of Canaan. The descendents of Abraham later became slaves in Egypt, but Moses delivered them out of slavery and back to the land God had promised. The people of Israel were initially rules by judges and later kings, the most famous being David. Time and time again the people turned away from God, only to be forgiven. Eventually however, the kingdom of Israel split in civil war into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Both fell to invading armies and the people of Israel were exiled to foreign lands. Some returned and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem, but remained under foreign rule. The Romans controlled the area of Palestine at the time of Jesus, who came to restore God's kingdom - but not in the way people of the time expected - he restored us to a right relationship with God.