2. =The religious results= of the division were more favorable. They were: 1.) _Preservation of the true religion._ A great empire would inevitably have been the spiritual ruin of Is'ra-el, for it must have been worldly, secular, and, in the end, idolatrous. The disruption broke off relation with the world, put an end to schemes of secular empire, and placed Is'ra-el and Ju'dah once more alone among their mountains. In this sense the event was from the Lord, who had higher and more enduring purposes than an earthly empire (1 Kings 12. 15-24). 2.) _Protection of the true religion._ Is'ra-el on the north stood as a "buffer," warding off the world from Ju'dah on the south. It was neither wholly idolatrous nor wholly religious, but was a debatable land for centuries. It fell at last, but it saved Ju'dah; and in Ju'dah was the unconscious hope of the world. 3.) _Concentration of the true religion._ The departure of Is'ra-el from the true faith led to the gathering of the priests, Le'vites, and worshiping element of the people in Ju'dah (2 Chron. 11. 13-16). Thus the Jew'ish kingdom was far more devoted to Je-ho'vah than it might otherwise have been. Blackboard Outline I. =Cau. Div.= 1. Opp. gov. 2. Opp. pro. 3. For. int. 4. Tri. jeal. 5. Am. Jer. 6. Fol. Re. II. =Res. Div.= 1. Pol. res. 1.) Dis. emp. 2.) Riv. and weak. 3.) For. dom. 2. Rel. res. 1.) Pres. rel. 2.) Pro. rel. 3.) Conc. rel. Review Questions What causes may be assigned for the division of Is'ra-el? How far was Sol'o-mon's government responsible? What was the relation of the prophets to the revolution? What foreign intrigues contributed to break up the kingdom? Who were connected with these intrigues? What ancient jealousy aided, and how? What man led in the breaking up of the kingdom? Whose folly enabled the plot to succeed? What were the political results of the division? What were its religious results? How was this event from the Lord? Part Two III. =The Kingdom of Is'ra-el.= From the division the name _Is'ra-el_ was applied to the northern kingdom and _Ju'dah_ to the southern. We notice the general aspects of Is'ra-el during its history, from B. C. 934 to 721. 1. =Its extent.= It embraced all the territory of the twelve tribes except Ju'dah and a part of Ben'ja-min (1 Kings 12. 19-21), held a nominal supremacy over Mo'ab east of the Dead Sea, and embraced about 9,375 square miles, while Ju'dah included only 3,435. Is'ra-el was about equal in area to Massachusetts and Rhode Island together.