Explain what caused the Hebrews to divide Canaan into two separate states. What eventually became of the two Hebrew states?
The Hebrews divided Canaan into two separate states as a result of internal strife and disagreements over leadership and governance. After the death of King Solomon in 931 BCE, his kingdom was split into two parts: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. The division was largely based on tribal allegiances and rivalries.
The Kingdom of Israel was made up of ten tribes and was centered around the city of Samaria. It was larger and more powerful than the Kingdom of Judah, but it faced constant threats from neighboring kingdoms and was ultimately conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BCE.
The Kingdom of Judah, on the other hand, consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and was centered around Jerusalem. It survived for a longer period of time than Israel, but eventually fell to the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
Both kingdoms experienced periods of prosperity and power, as well as periods of decline and turmoil. The eventual destruction of both kingdoms and the exile of many Hebrews marked the end of the divided Hebrew states and marked a significant turning point in Hebrew history.