The Israelites conquered much of the land of Canaan (but not all of it) and divided it among the twelve tribes. In the period of the Judges the Israelites entered a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, salvation, and return to sin. Samuel was the last judge: he anointed Saul who became the first king of Israel. But God rejected him because of his disobedience, and he was killed in battle.
