Final answer:
The time of David and Solomon marked a golden age for the Israelite Kingdom. David established Jerusalem and Solomon built the Temple of Jerusalem, creating a physical and spiritual center for the worship of Yahweh. Despite their challenges, the Hebrews believed in the eternal and omnipresent nature of Yahweh.
Step-by-step explanation:
The golden age in the history of the Hebrews, often referred to as Israelites after the formation of the Kingdom of Israel, was a transformative period ushered in by King David and continued by his son Solomon. David centralized his rule by making Jerusalem the capital and establishing a shrine for the worship of Yahweh. Not just a political leader, he was also an architect of spiritual life, linking the divine with the state. Solomon, known for his wisdom, inherited this orderly kingdom from David and furthered its organization through essential alliances and significant construction projects.
One of Solomon's most ambitious endeavors was the Temple of Jerusalem, intended as the permanent dwelling place for Yahweh and the epicenter of the Israelite faith. Though there is no definitive archaeological evidence for Solomon's Temple, there is strong evidence for other public works attributed to him, and the eternal significance of the temple in religious consciousness remains undisputed. The temple was more than a building; it was a symbol of faith, believed to be where God's attention was focused and where the Hebrews could forever connect with the divine.
When the Hebrews faced exile, the understanding of Yahweh evolved from a deity tied to a singular temple to an omnipresent god, reinforcing the idea of an eternal and unbounded divine presence. This belief underscored their endurance and faith during turbulent times and the eventual rebuilding of the temple, which stood as a sign of their eternal covenant with Yahweh.