The Very Core of the Israelites or Jewish People Part I

 Nadene Goldfoot                                               

 Israelite boy babies to die at Egyptian Pharaoh's command but Moses was saved by his barren daughter

Moses facing a burning bush which spoke to him, In the biblical story, the burning bush that appeared to Moses was likely a thorn bush, potentially a bramble or acacia, and it was notable for burning without being consumed. The Hebrew word used to describe the bush is "seneh," which can refer to thorny bushes. The miraculous sight of the bush engulfed in flames but not destroyed captivated Moses and drew him closer. 

In the beginning (estimate of 1579 BCE, or 1445 BCE or 480 years before Solomon's 1st Temple was built, about 4,000 years ago, Moses, at the  age of 80, took an "extended family" of 400 years of generations originating with Abraham and Sarah with other unlucky people of unknown lands also taken as the Egyptian slaves out of Egypt and brought them to Canaan after 40 years of traveling, their original home before a drought had taken over the land.  Evidently, Moses was one of the family members who had been rescued from death by a princess of Egypt and raised from infancy on.  Moses had been educated with all other princes for a position as either pharaoh or assistant to the pharaoh. They called taking 603,550 people who numbered only 601,730 at their destination, the Exodus.   

When they returned to Canaan, they had an elder or leader of each family grouping, called the judges who kept them on an even keel. Joshua had taken over Moses's position as leader and he was a judge.                                          

    Samson with Delilah, a Philistine from the Valley of Sorek who betrayed him.  The Valley of Sorek is in the Shephelah region, west of Jerusalem, bordering Philistia and the tribal territory of Dan says the Jewish Virtual Library. 

The Book of Judges lists twelve individuals who led the Israelites after the death of Joshua, known as the Judges. These leaders, in chronological order, are: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair, then (Ammonite rule)Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson, son of Manoah of the tribe of Dan, a Nazirite with long hair who had fought the Philistines. In addition to these, Eli and Samuel are also considered judges in 1 Samuel. 

• Ammonites:

  A separate group, often depicted as hostile to the Israelites, particularly during the period of the Judges. They were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, including disputes over territory and raids into Israelite lands. The Ammonites are mentioned as forbidding the Israelites from passing through their land during the Exodus and later allying with Moab to attack Israel. The Ammonites also occupied lands east of the Jordan River and encroached into Israelite territory. 

Samuel selected Saul  (c 1060-1010 BCE) as the people's first king being they felt they wanted one so that they were like  the other countries who also had kings. A city would have a king, as there were few countries in those days.  

Samuel also selected David ( (1010 BCE-970 BCE) as the 2nd king when Saul was killed in battle.  The Book of Chronicles lists his sons with his various wives and concubines. In Hebron, David had six sons: Amnon, by Ahinoam; Daniel, by Abigail; Absalom, by Maachah; Adonijah, by Haggith; Shephatiah, by Abital; and Ithream, by Eglah (1 Chronicles 3:1–3). 

     By Bathsheba, his sons were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. 

     David's sons born in Jerusalem of his other wives included Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama and Eliada (2 Samuel 5:14–16).

      Jerimoth, who is not mentioned in any of the genealogies, is mentioned as another of his sons in 2 Chronicles 2 11:18. His daughter Tamar, by Maachah, is raped by her half-brother Amnon/Aminon (eldest son of David by Ahinoam the Jezreeelite. David fails to bring Amnon to justice for his violation of Tamar, because he is his firstborn and he loves him, and so Absalom (her full brother) kills Amnon to avenge her.  

Before David died, his son, Solomon took the throne (961-920 BCE) .  This was done by his mother, Bath-sheba and the prophet, Nathan.  Solomon consolidated his position,  then got rid of his elder brother, Adonijah (4th son of David)  who wanted to marry Abishag, David's concubine, but Solomon regarded this as an act of rebellion  so had himkilled.   Eventually Solomon built the Temple in  Jerusalem. 

When Solomon died, Israel became divided over Solomon's taxeHis son, Rehoboam (933-917 BCE)  inherited the throne, but Israelites also followed  Jeroboam (933-912 BCE) from the tribeof Ephraim, the superintendent of forced labor during Solomon'sreign in building the Temple.  He was popular as he led the revolt. Rehoboam and he had met about the taxes, but Rehoboadecided to keep it and continue with the Temple.   

• Traditional Claims: Many Jewish families, particularly those from the Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities, possess oral traditions and genealogical records that trace their lineage back to King David.
• Exilarchs and Rabbinic Figures: Certain lineages, like those descended from the Exilarchs (who held leadership positions in Babylonian Jewry) or notable rabbinic figures like Rashi, are often cited as potentially having Davidic lineage.
• Genetic Research: Recent DNA studies have aimed to understand patterns within Jewish populations and their connections to various groups. For instance, the Cohanim (J1), who are considered descendants of Aaron, have a documented genetic signature. However, as of now, no specific DNA marker has been conclusively identified to definitively prove descent from King David.
• The Limitations of Historical Records: While some genealogical records exist, the significant time elapsed since King David's reign (approximately 3,000 years) makes it challenging to definitively verify an unbroken paternal lineage with the same certainty as more recent genealogical research.  Christians have created a family tree for Jesus including kingDavid with people on it completely unknown to Jewish genealogists.  

Resource:

Tanakh, the Stone Edition

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David 

Jewish Virtual Library