The Northern Kingdom of Israel, often referred to simply as Israel, emerged following the division of the united monarchy after the reign of King Solomon. This schism resulted in the formation of two separate kingdoms: the Northern Kingdom, known as Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, known as Judah. The division is chronicled in 1 Kings 12, where the ten northern tribes rejected Rehoboam, Solomon's son, and instead chose Jeroboam as their king.

Geography and Capital:
The Northern Kingdom encompassed a significant portion of the land originally allotted to the twelve tribes of Israel, including territories of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Asher, Dan, and others. Its capital was initially Shechem, later moving to Tirzah, and finally to Samaria, which became the most prominent city and political center (1 Kings 16:24).

Religious Practices:
Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom, established alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan to prevent his subjects from traveling to Jerusalem in Judah for religious observances. He set up golden calves at these sites, leading Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act was a direct violation of the first two commandments and set a precedent for the spiritual decline of the kingdom.

The Northern Kingdom was plagued by a series of kings who "did evil in the sight of the LORD" (1 Kings 15:34). The prophets Elijah and Elisha were sent by God to call the people back to covenant faithfulness, confronting the idolatry and apostasy that characterized much of Israel's history.

Political History:
The Northern Kingdom experienced frequent political instability, with numerous coups and assassinations. The dynasty of Omri, which included the infamous King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, was particularly noted for its promotion of Baal worship (1 Kings 16:29-33). Despite periods of prosperity and military success, such as under King Jeroboam II, the kingdom's spiritual and moral decline continued unabated.

Prophetic Warnings and Fall:
Prophets like Hosea and Amos warned of impending judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness, social injustice, and idolatry. Hosea's poignant message depicted Israel as an unfaithful spouse, while Amos called for justice and righteousness (Hosea 4:1-2; Amos 5:24).

Ultimately, the Northern Kingdom's persistent rebellion against God led to its downfall. In 722 BC, the Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, conquered Samaria, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the resettlement of foreign peoples in the land (2 Kings 17:6). This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom as a distinct political entity and fulfilled the prophetic warnings of judgment.

Legacy:
The fall of the Northern Kingdom served as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The intermingling of the remaining Israelites with foreign settlers gave rise to the Samaritans, a group that would later feature prominently in the New Testament narrative. Despite its tragic end, the account of the Northern Kingdom of Israel underscores the themes of divine justice, mercy, and the call to repentance that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.