The Israelite Monarchy refers to the period in ancient Israel when the nation was ruled by kings. This era began around 1020 BCE with the anointing of Saul as the first king, followed by David, who united the tribes and established Jerusalem as the capital. Solomon, David's son, is known for building the First Temple, which became a central place of worship for the Israelites. The monarchy faced challenges, including internal strife and external threats. After Solomon's reign, the kingdom split into two: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This division led to different political and religious developments until both kingdoms eventually fell to foreign powers.