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MAP 1
Lands of the Bible
Palestine—at the cross-roads of the ancient world, fought over countless times across the centuries—lies at the western end of the Fertile Crescent. This great arc of low-lying, wellwatered, cultivatable land stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Nile Delta. Mesopotamia, ‘the land between the rivers’, makes up a large part of the Crescent, and was one of the cradles of civilization.
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MAP 2
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Abraham made an epic journey from the city of Ur, in Babylonia, across the Fertile Crescent to Haran, and then on to the land of Canaan. He also traveled to Egypt during a time of famine.
Genesis 11:31–13:18
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MAP 4
The Exodus
Abraham’s descendants, the Hebrews, remained in Egypt for some 400 years, becoming enslaved by the Egyptians. Finally, after a series of terrible plagues, Moses led them out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and into the desert. We cannot be sure which route they took; the map shows the traditional route and two alternatives. (They would not have taken the direct, coastal route, since it was guarded.) At Mt Sinai Moses received the Ten Commandments.
Exodus, Numbers
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MAP 6
Israel Enters Canaan
Although Moses brought his people to the borders of Canaan, it was Joshua who led them into the land. Canaan was occupied by many small kingdoms and fortified towns. The Israelites first took Jericho, then moved south and north, only gradually gaining the upper hand. But the Philistines still held five key cities; and many Canaanite cities remained unconquered.
Joshua 1–11
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MAP 7
Dividing the Land
Once the Israelites had entered Canaan, each tribe was given an area in which to settle, mostly west of the river Jordan. The tribe of Levi was given no land, but had certain towns to live in. Six ‘cities of refuge’ were also named. After the death of Joshua, ‘Judges’ such as Ehud, Gideon, and Samson led the Israelites against the Philistines and other enemies.
Joshua 13–21; Judges
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MAP 8
The Kingdom of Saul
Since the Philistines posed a constant threat, the Israelites demanded a king to lead them, like the nations around them. The last Judge, Samuel, anointed Saul their king. Saul, a fine warrior, held back challenges from the Ammonites to the east and the Philistines in the west until he was defeated and killed at Mt Gilboa.
1 Samuel 9–31
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MAP 9
The United Kingdom
Under King David and his son Solomon the kingdom prospered. David pushed back the frontiers to their furthest extent, conquering the Philistines, Moab, Edom, Ammon, and the northern states, and leaving Solomon a peaceful and secure inheritance. David made Jerusalem the nation’s capital; Solomon extended the city and built the Temple there, and also engaged in extensive foreign trade.
2 Samuel; 1 Kings
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