King David's Genealogy

 Nadene Goldfoot                                      

                 Youngest of 7 boys, he was said to be a gingy;  red haired like the color of ginger.  He had 8 wives:  Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maachah, Haggith, Abital, Egiah and Bathsheba and 18+ children: 

 including: Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Jerimoth, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphalet, and daughter Tamar.  

King David is fascinating.  His genealogy is even more so.  He comes from the tribe of Judah, which was fathered by Judah, 3rd son of Jacob and Leah, father of 12 sons and a daughter by 2 sisters and 2 handmaids of the sisters.  He reigned as king from 1010 BCE to 970 BCE, being 25 when he served King Saul as his armor-bearer, so he was born about 1035 BCE.  That was 3,057 years ago.   Jews and Christians both say that the Messiah will be from the House of David.  For Jews, this is to be their first; for Christians, their second for they see Jesus as having David as an ancestor.  

David's father was Jesse who was the grandson of Ruth and Boaz. Jesse's children were Abigail and Zeruiah, the girls, and Eliab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem and David.  David was the youngest.   

  Movie of David and  Bathsheba with Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward 1951.  

David was born in Bethlehem, which is 5.25 miles South of Jerusalem.  It's also the background of the Book of Ruth. 

Christians claim that Jesus was related to King David, and he was said to have been born in Bethlehem.  The book of "Matthew begins by calling Jesus the son of David, indicating his royal origin, and also son of Abraham, indicating that he was an Israelite;  both are stock phrases, in which son means descendant, calling to mind the promises God made to David and to Abraham. "  Most scholars believe the gospel was composed between AD 80 and 90, with a range of possibility between AD 70 to 110; a pre-70 date remains a minority view. The work does not identify its author, and the early tradition attributing it to the apostle Matthew is rejected by modern scholars. He was probably a male Jew, standing on the margin between traditional and non-traditional Jewish values, and familiar with technical legal aspects of scripture being debated in his time. Writing in a polished Semitic "synagogue Greek", he drew on the Gospel of Mark as a source, plus the hypothetical collection of sayings known as the Q source (material shared with Luke but not with Mark) and material unique to his own community, called the M source or "Special Matthew".The point is that it was most likely not written by Matthew but as much as 100 years after the fact, writing in Greek, most likely as Hellenized Jew. He was writing for a Greek audience.   

Christians trace the lineage to #27 as King Josiah (637-608 BCE of Judah and from there to  the chart below; but reference is only found in the New Testament.  Christians have a Jeconiah, who Jews called Jehoiachin (597)-king at 18 for 3 months and 10 days, (exiled to Babylon); , but Jewish records show Jehoahaz-son of Josiah (608);  then Jehoiakim(608-598); son Jehoiachin (598-597) Zedekiah (597-586), all BCE.-son of Josiah, last of the kings.  He was originally called Mattaniah but when appointed king, changed his name to Zedekiah.  All his sons were killed, done in front of him;  then made a prisoner in Babylon till he died.   (II Kings 25;  Jer 52) 

After Josiah, the names and order of Kings are completely different from Jewish records that are in the Old Testament (Tanakh). 

27.Josiah 28. Jeconiah

Shealtiel Zerubbabel Abiud Eliakim Azor Zadok Achim Eliud Eleazar Matthan Jacob Joseph #36Jesus

#34 Zadok was a priest (Cohen), a descendant of Aaron, brother of Moses.  and became David's chief priest or high priest.  Solomon appointed Zadock's son a high priest in the Temple and from that time the high priesthoo remained in the Zadokite family until the period of the Hasmonean rising.  Zadok sons mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls could actually be connected to this line.  Also the name of one of the Pharisees who with Judah the Galilean, founded the Sect of Zealots in 6 CE.

#35 Achim (German pronunciation: [ˈaxiːm]) is the German short name for Joachim or Jehoiakim (Hebrew meaning "he whom Jehovah has set up"). In the Bible, Achim is mentioned in Jesus' genealogy as the son of Zadok and father of Eliud (Mt 1:14).

#36   Eliud, legendary king of the Britons. Eliud (biblical figure), son of Achim in the New Testament bible, Matthew 1:14.

Eleazar?  We've had 2 well-known Eleazars.  One was the 3rd son and successor of Aaron, brother of Moses.  The high priests of Zadok were descended from Eleazar.  The other Eleazar died in 163 BCE and was a Hasmonean warrior, brother of Judah the Maccabee. Then there have been a lot of other Eleazar ben....; a very popular name.  

This section goes through Joseph's great-grandfather Eleazar, grandfather #38 Matthan, and father #39 Jacob. None of these figures are mentioned anywhere other than in Matthew and nothing else is known about them. As with most of the later section of Matthew's genealogy it conflicts with that given in Luke 3. There is some similarity in this passage Matthew gives Joseph's grandfather as Matthan and Luke as Matthat, the other names, however, are wholly different. Eleazar was a common Old Testament name, appearing many times in that work.

Robert H. Gundry, who is highly skeptical of the earlier parts of Matthew's genealogy, believes that these later figures are likely accurate as it is unlikely no one would know who Joseph's father and grandfather were. Even if the author of Matthew did not know their names it is unlikely he would risk being creative as he could be fairly sure that somebody would spot his error. Gundry posits that #37 Eleazar is the last fictional creation and that #38 Matthan and #39 Jacob were real people.

David (1035-970 BCE) and Jesus (If he was born in 6 or 5 BCE, as is most likely, Jesus would have been approximately thirty-two to thirty-four years old in late CE 28 until CE 30, which falls well within the range of him being “about thirty years of age.”  

Therefore, Jesus was born 1,030 years after David.

How could the writer of Matthew  have done 

research on Jesus's genealogy to connect directly with David?

Actually, we Jews have become an endogamic people.  David 

had 6 brothers who would have been married with children.

David had many wives and children, the most prolific being 

Solomon who was said to have 1,000 wives and concubines.

Chances are that all of us Jews are carrying some of David's

genes, if they could last that long, and Jesus (a Greek name for

Joshua)  came along only 1,000 years after the fact, so was 

much closer in time than we are.  There's a fair chance that 

those people of Bethlehem  were related   if they had been

there for many generations.  

Mohammad (570-632) is the prophet of Islam.  Muslims also

 know of David.  David is mentioned several times in the Quran with the Arabic name داود, Dāwūd or Dā'ūd, often with his son Solomon.  Muslim tradition and the hadith stress David's zeal in daily prayer as well as in fasting. Quran commentators, historians and compilers of the numerous Stories of the Prophets elaborate upon David's concise quranic narratives and specifically mention David's gift in singing his Psalms as well as his beautiful recitation and vocal talents. His voice is described as having had a captivating power, weaving its influence not only over man but over all beasts and nature, who would unite with him to praise God.

  In 1948, Bethlehem had 10,000 population (7,500 Christians, 2,500 Muslims).  That's because from 1948 to 1967, Bethlehem was under Jordanian rule and all Israelis were kept out.  In the Six Day War, it was won back; taken by Israel.  The IDF had regained this ancient city.  By 1968, it had 32,000 population.  Its population is approximately 25,000, and it is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the "proposed" State of Palestine.

 On the following tree, David is #11.  All genealogy is from the Tanakh with Chronicles I and II dealing with genealogy and having much information.  

Descendants of Judah:

1  Judah

.... +Tamar

2  Perez

... 3  [12] Hezron

......... +Unnamed

...... 4  Ram "Aram"

......... 5  Amminadab

........... 6  Nahshon b: 1465

.............. 7  [6] Elimelech b: 1934 in Bethlehem

.................... +[5] NAOMI b: 1934 in Bethlehem

................. 8  [7] Mahlon

....................... +[8] RUTH of Royalty b: in Moab d: in Bethlehem

................. 8  [9] Chilion b: in Bethlehem

....................... +[10] Orpah b: in Moab

.............. 7  [1] kinsman of Naomi; Boaz  b: 1935

................. 8  [2] father of Jesse Obed

.................... 9  [3] father of David Jesse

....................... 10  [4] Eliab b: 1010

.............. 7  Salma SALMON

................. 8  [1] kinsman of Naomi; Boaz  b: 1935

.................... 9  [2] father of Jesse Obed

....................... 10  [3] father of David Jesse

......................... 11  [4] Eliab b: 1010

................. 8  son of Salmon (Naomi's father) b: 1933

.................... 9  [5] NAOMI b: 1934 in Bethlehem

.......................... +[6] Elimelech b: 1934 in Bethlehem

....................... 10  [7] Mahlon

............................. +[8] RUTH of Royalty b: in Moab d: in Bethlehem

....................... 10  [9] Chilion b: in Bethlehem

............................. +[10] Orpah b: in Moab

.................... +Milkah

................. 8  kinsman of Naomi Boaz b: in Bethlehem

....................... +[8] RUTH of Royalty b: in Moab d: in Bethlehem

.................... 9  Oved Obed b: in 11th century BCE

....................... 10  father of David, JESSE b: in Bethlehem d: in J1 ?

............................. +Ithra's Daughter d: in father J1-Arab line

......................... 11  Abigail

............................... +Jether the Ishmaelite

......................... 11  Zeruiah

......................... 11  [4] Eliab b: 1010

......................... 11  Shimea b: 1013

......................... 11  Nethanel b: 1014

......................... 11  Raddai b: 1015

......................... 11  Ozem b: 1016

......................... 11  [11] King of Israel David reigned 1030 in 1000 BCE Bethlehem d: in 960 BCE

............................... +MICHAL EGLAH b: 1040 m: 1059 m: 1059

......................... *2nd Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Michal Eglah m: 1059 m: 1059

......................... *3rd Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +2nd Wife Abigail b: 1045 in Carmelite m: 1065 m: 1065

......................... *4th Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Bathsheba b: 1050 in Giloh, Judah m: 1070 m: 1070

......................... *5th Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Maachah From Geshur m: 1075 m: 1075

......................... *6th Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Merab m: 1076 m: 1076

......................... *7th Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Haggith m: 1077 m: 1077

......................... *Partner of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Abital m: 1078 m: 1078

......................... *8th Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Maacah m: 1089 m: 1089

......................... *9th Wife of [11] King of Israel David:

............................... +Ahinoam of Jezreel m: 1091 m: 1091

...... 4  Jerahmeel

...... 4  Chelubal Caled

... *2nd Wife of [12] Hezron:

......... +daughter of Makir Abijah

...... 4  Segub

...... 4  Ashhur

... 3  Zerah

2  twin of Perez Zereh

Resource:

The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia, 1992, 7th edition

Tanakh, Torah, Old Testament,  Stone Edition; my research

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genealogy_of_Jesus#:~:text=Matthew%20begins%20by%20calling%20Jesus,to%20David%20and%20to%20Abraham.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Matthew-New Testament

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David

GESHUR: Archaeology Unveils More From the Pages of the Torah

 Nadene Goldfoot                              

Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) archeologists work in 2020 at a fortified complex from the time of King David which was exposed for the first time in archaeological excavations carried out by IAA in the Hispin settlement in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.  It's a 3,000 year old fortress.  Barak Tzin, who directed its excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority, estimated that it covered more than 1,000 square metres. Archaeologists unveiled a fortified structure from the time of the King David on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that sheds light on the borders of a Biblical Israeli ally.   The 3,000-year-old fortress, found near the Jewish settlement of Hispin ahead of works to build a new neighbourhood, is believed to have belonged to the Geshurites, King David's allies. on November 11, 2020.

                                                 

A stone stele to the moon god found in 2019 at a site called et-

Tell, north of the Sea of Galilee, which may have been the ancient capital of the kingdom of Geshur. (Image credit: Ivgeni Ostrovski/Israel Antiquities Authority)

Archaeologists uncovered a fortified building in the Golan Heights dated to the time of David’s rule, about 1,000 B.C.E A large basalt stone in the fortress is engraved with two horned figures with outstretched arms.  Diggers found a large stone with an engraving of two horned figures stretching out their arms and a statuette of a woman holding a musical instrument, possibly a drum.“That also links us to finds from the Iron Age,” Tzin said, noting similar artefacts uncovered in Bethsaida, “a site linked to the capital of the Geshur kingdom” that lies west of Hispin on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.                      

Archaeologists believe this building was an outpost of the kingdom of Geshur, an ally of King David. David’s wife, Maacah, the mother of Absalom, was the daughter of the king of Geshur.

The name "Geshur" is found primarily in biblical sources and has been taken to mean "stronghold or fortress". The Bible describes it as being near Bashan, adjoining the province of Argob (Deuteronomy 3:14) and the kingdom of Aram or Syria (2 Samuel 15:8; 1 Chronicles 2:23). (Jair, son of Manasseh took the entire region of Argov until the border of the Geshurite and the Maacaathite, and he named them, the Bashan, after himself. "Havvoth-jair, until tis day.)  Deut. 3:14 (For your servant took a vow, when I lived in Geshur in Aram, saying, ..")Sam. 15:8, Aram was the name for Syria.  

Absalom's mother is not mentioned in my encyclopedia, only that he is the 3rd son of David.  He killed his half-brother, Amnon or Aminon, David's oldest son by Ahinoam, the Jezreelite. 

He had been attracted to his step-sister, Tamar, daughter of Maacah,  and had raped her. Maacah and Absalom complained to David, but he did nothing. It was 2 years later that Absalom killed him to avenge the rape of his sister, Tamar. 

He was a popular young man, and this popularity stirred up his rebellion against his father, who was obliged to flee across the Jordan River.                                       

In the end, Absalom's army of young followers was vanquished and he himself was killed by Joab, David's nephew and commander-in-chief,  after his long hair became entangled in a tree. Joab killed Absalom in defiance of David's orders.   His life is cited as one of vanity and rebellion.  Absalom's tomb is a monument in the Valley of Kidron outside of Jerusalem called Yad Avshalom, but is in fact a structure from the 1st century BCE or CE.  In the end, Solomon, David's son by Bathsheba,  put Joab to death in accordance with David's testament.  Let's face it;  David could not harm his own son, a problem all fathers wouldn't want to face.  

Resource:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/december/biblical-archaeology-new-discoveries-2020-bible-artifacts.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geshur#:~:text=The%20name%20%22Geshur%22%20is%20found,1%20Chronicles%202%3A23).

https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/3000-year-old-fortress-unearthed-in-golan-heights/article33081984.ece

https://womeninthebible.net/women-bible-old-new-testaments/tamar-judah/tamar-amnon/

https://www.livescience.com/ancient-fort-figures-biblical-geshur-kingdom-discovered.html

The Adored King David, In Opposition to a Narcissist

 Nadene Goldfoot                                       

King David, who ruled Israel from 1010 BCE till 970 BCE is still a much loved and respected personality after all these years.  That's over 3,000 years of being in the minds of men.  What narcissist wouldn't love to have that respect and love?  How was David so different from narcisstic people?                               

 For one thing, he never expected such reverence from anyone.  He was the youngest son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem.  At age 23, he became the armor-bearer of King Saul and was the friend of Prince Jonathan. He had talent, talent as a musician and prowess for military war.                                           

 David was supposed to be a gingery-red head which was slightly unusual amid a lot of dark-haired people. He stood out in a crowd naturally.   

David was brave.  When the Philistines were attacking Israel, they presented their best warrior who was a huge giant of a man as a challenge;  whoever could kill him would send the Philistines home.  David, a kid with a slingshot who used this little weapon on wolves who threatened his flock of sheep, felt he could do it.  He took the challenge and slew Goliath.  (I Sam.17:21:10).David remained as an enemy of the Philistines from then on.  He succeeded in breaking the Philistine military power and annexing the entire coastal belt. 

The prophet, Samuel certainly thought David was special, for he selected him to be king over Israel.  Samuel was Israel's last judge during the day of Judges before they had Saul as king.  Saul had gone to Bethlehem where he anointed David as Saul's successor.                                                   

His defeat of the Edomites gave the Israelites an outlet to the Red Sea at Ezion Geber.  He crushed Ammon and Moab, which became subjects of Israel and decisively defeated Arm (Syria), annexing large tracts of territory including Damascus, as far as the Euphrates River.   David signed treaties with Tyre and Sidon of Lebanon and extended the Israelite frontiers to an extent never again attained.  

Internally, he made energetic preparations for building a central temple and organized the national administration.  Religiously, he wasn't to build it as he was a king of war, but this was passed onto his son, Solomon for a goal, and he did build the Temple.  

In his old age, his 3rd son, Absalom, rebelled against him and was killed in the revolt.   David's  succession was eventually secured by his son, Solomon, son of Bathsheba.  Absalom  had killed his own half-brother to avenge the rape of his sister, Tamar. 

David's own desire was not checked when he first saw Bathsheba bathing on the rooftop one hot night.  He gave in and had his way with her.  Bathsheba was the wife of one of his own soldiers who was away fighting.  David had an affair with Bathsheba, and wound up having her husband serve on the front line and get killed so he could marry her.  David and Bathsheba paid for this crime emotionally.                       

Amnon was David's eldest son by Ahinoam, the Jezreelite. He had fallen for his half sister, Tamar and had raped her.  It took Absalom 2 years to have Amnon killed for this attack. Then again, Absalom's mother is said to be Maacah, a wife of David, and daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur.  David was said to father Absalom and Tamar by her.  Isn't this rather typical of the children of leaders, though?  Sometimes it's the gruff way of acting toward their children, and here he couldn't keep the peace among his own, and he had raised 2 killers who killed their own siblings.  One thing is noticeable here, the Bible doesn't cover up the faults of  its heros at all.  They're pictured as original human beings.   Maybe that's why David is so beloved.  He's like us; a good person with faults and problems.  

 He stirred up a rebellion against David who had to flee across the Jordan River for safety.  Absalom's army was vanquished and he himself was killed by Joab after his long hair became entangled in a tree.  Absalom as a soldier is cited as a striking example of vanity (a narcissist) and rebellion.  Perhaps he got that way  by trying to compete with his father, David's history.                             

 One fact discovered is that  all abusers show narcissistic behaviors. Narcissism, as a personality disorder, does not excuse abuse. Even a narcissist is still choosing certain behaviors that are abusive. They are still in control of their behavior, which is based on deep beliefs that it is okay to use controlling behaviors.

Your partner may have rationale for why they are being abusive, but reasons and rationales never excuse abuse. They are choosing to be abusive. It is NEVER your fault if someone abuses you. All forms of abuse cause emotional harm, which is often the hardest to understand and heal from. Recent studies also show that children in the home with emotional abuse, even if it is not directed towards them, have much higher cases of PTSD, anxiety and learning issues.                                           

 A narsistic personality disorder Requires a medical diagnosis.  Symptoms include an excessive need for admiration, disregard for others' feelings, an inability to handle any criticism, and a sense of entitlement.                

As Israel's second king, David built a small empire. He conquered Jerusalem, which he made Israel's political and religious centre. He defeated the Philistines so thoroughly that they never seriously threatened the Israelites' security again, and he annexed the coastal region. He founded the Judaean dynasty and united all the tribes of Israel under a single monarch. His son Solomon expanded the empire that David built. David is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The thing is, he didn't go around bragging about how good he was, which a narcissist would do.  He gave all the credit where credit is due, to G-d.  It is said he is the author of Psalms, found in the bible. 

                                                 

As an example:  131:  A song of ascents, by David:  Hashem (G-d), my heart was not proud, and my eyes were not haughty, nor did I pursue matters too great and too wondrous for me.  I swear that I stilled and silenced my soul.  Let Israel hope to Hashem, from this time and forever.  

Resource:

Tanach: The Stone Edition, Psalms

The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia

https://www.britannica.com/biography/David

http://womeninthebible.net/women-bible-old-new-testaments/maacah-davids-wife/

https://abuserecovery.org/am-i-being-abused/?https://abuserecovery.org/am-i-being-abused/&gclid=CjwKCAiAn5uOBhADEiwA_pZwcOD_cbXZ6QIBYEBKEjJODdqcNiDx3NkfbKAGm027Q3ZRrFvTqZN3uhoCbL8QAvD_BwE

Leah and Jacob's 4th Son, Judah From Which Jews Come From: And Jacob's Prophecy For Us

 Nadene Goldfoot                                              

Judah the 4th son of Jacob and Leah, is best known as the one who persuaded his brothers to sell their own brother, Joseph to passing Ishmaelites rather than leave him to die in a pit (Gen 37).  They were all so jealous of Joseph as their father, Jacob, had given him special attention by making him the coat of many colors, and the older ones were never given such special treatment.  Joseph was the son of Rachel, who probably also got special treatment since she had been the 1st love to Jacob, so the boys saw Joseph as a half brother.  

Despite the seniority of  Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, he received Jacob's patriarchal blessing (Gen 49:8)  He had saved his brother's life.  Killing was not his first thought to solve a problem.  

When Judah heard Jacob's rebuke of his brothers,  he drew back, afraid that Jacob might chastise him over the affair of Tamar.  So Jacob called him soothingly,  "Judah, YOU are not like them.  YOU, your brothers shall acknowledge!" 

 Judah's oldest son was Er and Er's wife was Tamar.  Judah's 2nd son was Onan, and Tamar had married Onan, too. When Onan died, Judah had refused to allow Tamar to also marry his 3rd son, Shelah, as well.  Judah was breaking tradition by refusing her right to marry Shelah, and she was still a young woman!  So she got even with Judah by dressing up as a prostitute and seduced Judah!  The result was that she conceived twins by Judah.  This story adds reason why the custom was that a son was to marry his deceased brother's wife.   

The famous biblical commentator, RASHI commented in the Midrash that Judah would be the source of all Jewish leadership and royalty of the Davidic dynasty and Messiah.  Now, Rashi (1040-1105) born in France, had a good head start to make such a comment.  The 10 tribes had been lost to the Jews ever since 721 BCE, almost 2,000 years by his time already.  

Jacob had a good prophecy for Judah who was the 4th son, like a middle son who usually has the most problems in a family.  Jacob said, "You, your brothers shall acknowledge;   your hand will be at your enemies nape (of the neck).  Your father's sons will prostrate themselves to you.                                              

A lion cub is Judah;  from the prey, my son, you elevated yourself.  He crouches, lies down like a lion, and like an awesome lion, who dares rouse him?  

The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a scholar from among his descendants until Shiloh arrives and his will be an assemblage of nations.  (By saying "Shiloh", this is saying "Messiah"-Rashi explained that) .  Shiloh was the 1st religious center of the Israelite religion after the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, an Ephraimite, the tribe that had much power as well.  It was 25 miles North of Jerusalem in the mountains of Ephraim.  The Ark and Tabernacle were kept there during the period of the Judges, serving as the central national shrine and object of pilgrimage, especially during the long priesthood of Eli.  The town and the Tabernacle were destroyed by the Philistines after the battle of Aphek in about 1050 BCE when the Ark was captured.  Shilioh then became insignificant.  It was settled form the Hellenistic Period down to the 12th century CE.  The site was excavated by a Danish expedition in 1926-28.  The word, until, does not mean that Judah's ascendency will end with the coming of Messiah.  to the contrary, the sense of the verse is that once Messiah begins to reign, Judah's blessing of kingship will become fully realized (Sh'lah) for all the nations will acknowledge him and pay homage to him.  

He will tie his donkey to the vine.  To the vine branch his donkey's foal;  he will launder his garments in wine and his robe in the blood of grapes.  Red eyed from wine, and white toothed from milk. 

So admired will you be by all your brothers that Jews will not say, "I am a Reubenite or a Simeonite, but  "I am a Yehudi, Judahite, Jew.   (Midrash)

The first census Moses took found Judah with 74,,000 and the last census after the 40 years counted 76,500, an increase of 1,900 men.  

The area received by the tribe of Judah was one of the largest in Canaan and it eventually absorbed also the inheritance of Simeon in the Negev.  David belonged to this tribe and his accession signaled its assuming a leading position over other tribes.  When the kingdom split after the death of Solomon in 920 BCE, Judah supported his son, Rehoboam as king,  who was predominant and did become king for the southern kingdom of Judah.                      

Solomon Souza street art featuring a lion, in Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda market. Photo by Yehoshua Halevi.  The lion has come to represent Israel-being the Jewish State.  Here, the ancient adage of when the lion lies down with the lamb, there will be peace.  ("The lamb with the lion" – often a paraphrase from Isaiah, and more closely quoted as "the lion and lamb", "a child will lead them", and the like – are an artistic and symbolic device, most generally related to peace. The symbol is used in both Christianity and Judaism to represent the Messianic Age.)

The hills of Judah, which came to be called Judaea by the Roman invasion,   was the mountainous region of central Israel.  Fertile and populous in biblical days, they had become neglected and suffered severely from soil erosion.  Modern resettlement of the area began in 1894 with the returning Jews from Russia and elsewhere in the 1st Aliyah and their newly created foundation of MOTSZA,  but from 1948 to 1967, only a small area of the Judean Hills (the Jerusalem Corridor) and some of the foothills  was incorporated into "Israel."  The rest of it was given by the British to the Kingdom of Jordan.  Since the Six Day War of 1967, the entire area has been under Israeli rule.  

The Jerusalem corridor (Hebrew: פרוזדור ירושלים‎, Prozdor Yerushalayim) is a geographical district of hundreds of thousands of dunams between Jerusalem and the Shephelah in Israel. Its northern border is the old road to Jerusalem; its southern border, the Elah Valley; and its western border, Sha'ar HaGai/Bab el-Wad and the road to Beit Shemesh. The largest towns in the Jerusalem corridor are Beit Shemesh, Mevasseret Zion, Abu Ghosh, Tzur Hadassah and Kiryat Ye'arim.

Some researchers figure Jacob was born in 1566 BCE, others saying the Exodus started from 1579-1578 BCE.  We know that Abraham was from the 2nd millennium BCE, and that the family was Abraham, son Isaac, and his son, Jacob.  

Resource:

Tanakh, The Stone Edition

The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_corridor