Two Houses of Israel, Biblical basis for: What is the Biblical basis and/or story behind the Two Houses of Israel and their division?
Many do not realize this, but prior to the Divided Kingdom period following the reign of Solomon, there was a division in Israel. This division goes as far back as Joshua 11:21, which speaks of the hill country of Judah andthe hill country of Israel. The division between the South, or Judah, and the North, or Israel, extended into the period of Israels United Monarchy. 1 Samuel 17:52-54, detailing Davids slaying of Goliath during the reign of King Saul, tells us the following: The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps. Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent. This division between Judah and Israel, the latter also called Ephraim, extended until Davids kingship. 1 Samuel 18:12-16 attes
