In the four hundred eightieth year after the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD. (1 Kings 6.1)
The Temple building began 480 years after the Exodus. The period in between was at times chaotic and although many dates are given care has to be shown in relating them together. It was 300 years from the conquest to Jephtha (11.26).
| 2513 | The Exodus (1491BC) |
| 2514 | Spies sent through Canaan (Caleb was 40, Josh 14:7) |
| 2553 | Crossing the Jordan and roughly 7 years of war. |
| 2559c | Land divided (based on age of Caleb - Josh 14:7,10) |
| Land has rest from war (Josh 14:15) | |
| Subject to Cushan-Rishathaim for 8 years (Jdg 3.8) | |
| Judged by Othniel (Jdg 3.11) | |
| 2599c | End of first 40 years (Jdg 3:11) |
| Subject to Moab for 18 years (Jdg 3:14) | |
| Judged by Ehud (Jdg 3:15) | |
| 2679c | End of next 80 years (Jdg 3:30) |
| Subject to Jabin for 20 years (Jdg 3:31-4:3) | |
| Judged by Deborah (Jdg 4:4) | |
| 2719c | End of next 40 years (Jdg 5:31) |
| Subject to Midianites 7 years (Jdg 6:1) | |
| Judged by Gideon | |
| 2759c | End of next 40 years (Jdg 8:28) |
| No further mention is made of the 40 year periods and for the next 94 years there are no fixed dates given. They were delivered into the hands of their enemies on every side (Jdg 8.34), Abimelech was a king for 3 years, Tola was judge for 23 years (Jdg 10.2), Jair for 22 years (Jdg 10.3). They were harassed by the Philistines 18 years (Jdg 10.8) and also by Ammon (10.9) the latter turning into outright war (Jdg 11.4). The lengths given add up to just 66 of the 94 years. | |
| 2853 | Jephthah chosen as commander (Jdg 11:6). This is 300 years after they crossing of the Jordan and hence the year was 2853 (Jdg 11.26). |
| Jephthah confronts Ammon and judges Israel 6 years (Jdg 12:7) | |
| 2859 | Ibzan judged Israel 7 years (Jdg 12:8-9) |
| 2866 | Elon judged Israel 10 years (Jdg 12:11) |
| 2876 | Abdon judged Israel 8 years (Jdg 12:12-15) |
| 2884 | Delivered into the hands of Philistines for 40 years (Jdg 13:1) ending in 2924. |
| Samson judged Israel 20 years during the subjection to the Philistines (Jdg 15:20 & 16:31) | |
| There are no dates in the remaining chapters of Judges which describe instead some of the anarchy in Israel. | |
| During this time the Ark was captured by the Philistines (1 Sam 4:11) and Eli died after judging Israel for 40 years as High Priest (thus overlaping with Samson). The Ark was in Philistia 7 months (1 Sam 6.1) and Kirjath Jearim for 20 years (1 Sam 7.2). | |
| After a time the Philistines were subdued and did not come any more into the territory of Israel (1 Sam 7.13) but the Israelites remained under Philistine rule and were not allowed their own blacksmiths (1 Sam 13.19). Samuel judged Israel during this time (1 Sam 7.17). | |
| 2909 | Beginning of reign of Saul (cf Acts 13.21) |
| 2911 | Uprising against Philistines (1 Sam 13:3) and the sin of Saul (1 Sam 13:9) |
| 1 Sam 14:23 mentions the Ark being back with Israel, though some translations have Ephod. In 1 Chron 13.3 it is said that the Ark had not been consulted since the days of Saul. Thus the Ark came back under Israelite dominion before the kingdom was fully re-established. | |
| 2924 | End of subjection to Philistines (cf Jdg 13:1) (1 Sam 14:46) |
| “So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel...” (1 Sam 14:47) | |
| But, there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul's life (1 Sam 14.52) which lasts another 25 years until the beginning of the reign of David. | |
| 2927 | David born (cf 2 Sam 5:4) (1077BC) |
| David anointed (1 Sam 16:13) | |
| Samuel died (1 Sam 25:1) | |
| 2949 | Saul dies |
| Beginning of reign of David as King of Judah (2 Sam 1.4) | |
| Ishboshet king over all the other tribes (2 Sam 2.10) | |
| 2957 | David King over all Israel (2 Sam 5:3-5) |
| 2989 | Beginning of reign of Solomon (1 Kings 2:12) |
| 2992 | Temple begun (1 Kings 6:1) (1012BC) |