Synopsis: Political intrigues in Iron Age Israel end with the rise of King Omri. The kingdoms of Hamath and Aram-Damascus leverage military power and regional diplomacy to prepare for the coming of Shalmaneser.“I am Urahilina, son of Paritas, king of Hamath…I made my own seat for every single god. But this seat I built for Ba’alat, and I put my name and Ba’alat’s on it…During the time of my father and grandfather, the temple of Ba’alat lacked income. They did not burn the burnt offering, a sacrificial ox, up and down to the god. But myself, in my times, it shall not lack income.” – Building inscription of King Urahilina of Hamath, recording the construction and endowment of a temple to the goddess Ba’alatMap of the Early Iron Age Near East:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Near_East.jpgMap of Early Iron Age Southern Syria and Canaan:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Map_Canaan.jpgThe Kings of Syria and Canaan:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Season_3_King_List.pdfEpisode Images:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C17_Images.pdfReferences and Further Reading:https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/C17_References.pdfPlease contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on this podcast.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices