The Kingdom of Israel
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
was formed as a result of the revolt of the ten tribes, in the reign of Rehoboam, son and successor of Solomon, against his subject Jeroboam, to whom, even in Solomon’s lifetime, this event had been foretold by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:31-40). Solomon sought to put Jeroboam to death, but he fled to Egypt and remained there until Solomon’s death, whereupon he returned (12:2-3) from Egypt to Shechem. Appearing as a representative of the people, together with an assembly of Israelites, before the new king, he demanded of him relief from the taxes laid upon the people by Solomon; and when Rehoboam refused to grant this demand, the ten tribes thereupon rebelled against him and made Jeroboam king.
Only two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, remained loyal to Rehoboam. Thus two kingdoms were formed: Israel and Judah. Fearing lest the house of David should once again reign over all Israel, Jeroboam introduced idolatry and pagan rites into the kingdom of Israel. This took place in the year 980 B.C. The original seat of the kingdom of Israel was the city of Shechem, and afterward Jeroboam moved it to Samaria. It had 18 successive rulers, and the kingdom of Israel endured for 254 years. It fell with the taking of Samaria by Shalmaneser in the year 721 B.C.