IV. With the reign of the first king a new period opens. We now study
the history of the =Is'ra-el-ite Kingdom=. The kingdom was divided after
the reign of three kings, but even after the division it was regarded as
one kingdom, though in two parts.
1. This period extends from the =Coronation of Saul=, B. C. 1050? (1
Sam. 11. 15), to the =Captivity of Bab'y-lon=, B. C. 587.
2. During this period the chosen people were ruled by kings; hence this
is named the =Regal Administration=. The king of Is'ra-el was not a
despot, however, for his power was limited, and he was regarded as the
executive of a theocratic government (1 Sam. 10. 25).