In Canaan (today's Palestine / Israel land), according to the Hebrew sacred texts, around -2200, Patriarch Abraham with the first tribe of Jews came from Ur of Sumeria. Many centuries later, while in Canaan the populations had changed a dozen times, after repeated attacks by powerful empires and violent population movements, some Jewish tribes found themselves enslaved in Egypt. About -1200, either escaped or evicted because of a sickness that slaughtered the slaves, and under the guidance of Moses according to the Hebrew Scriptures, were led after a 40-year wandering, in the land of promise, Canaan. They settled there after they fought and destroyed the previous inhabitants (Philistines and Canaanites).
The Jews originally did not form a single nation but remained divided into 12 tribes, organized and governed by a patriarchal system. The elders of each family constituted a council that held power. Many times they were forced to unite to confront their enemies until -1040, when they finally were united under one's authority. The first king was Saul who was killed in a battle with the Philistines. His successor David organized a powerful agricultural state and ruled in the name of one God without himself being considered a God, unlike previous religions in the Near East, in which the ruler was deified. The god of the Jews was the generating force of the world, and during their constant movements, his power seemed to have save them from the enemies.
David was succeeded by his son Solomon who ruled 50 years with wisdom and righteousness; he organized a state that reached its peak, after many years of wars. Agriculture and trade was developed, weapons, jewelry, seals made from metals and semi-precious stones were manufactured.
Solomon is remembered for the construction of the famous temple of Jerusalem, rallying even more the Jewish tribes around the king and the god. After the death of Solomon, internal conflicts broke out that weakened the state until it was divided into two kingdoms.
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