Changes

{{Infobox_Contents | topic_name = Christianity[[Image:Maps-divided-kingdom.gif|thumb|A centerA 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 [ subtopics = [Moses]] delivered them out of slavery and back to the land God had promised. The people of [[Ancient Israel]] were initially ruled by judges and later kings, the most famous being [[King 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. ----__TOC__{{topics}}* [[Hebrew]]

* [[Exodus]] | , Promised Land

* [[Kings of Israel Index]] | - King Saul | , [[King David]] | , [[Solomon]]* Kingdom of Judah | , [[Kingdom of Israel]]* The Exile| opinion_pieces = {{opinionsshort_opinions}} |}}

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 descendants 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 [[Ancient Israel]] were initially ruled by judges and later kings, the most famous being [[King 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. The table below is a brief time-line of the main events of the [[Old Testament]].