After Solomon's death, the kingdom was divided into Judah (south) and Israel (north). The prophets were God's voice, warning His people of judgment but also offering messianic hope and the promise of a "new Son of David." All kings of Israel were evil, and the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom in 722 B.C. Most kings of Judah were also sinful, and the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and deported the population in 586 B.C.
