Final answer:
The Israelites traversed the Sinai desert, established a covenant to worship Yahweh, settled in Canaan after military campaigns led by Joshua, and eventually formed the kingdom of Israel to unite against the Philistines, leading to the emergence of Judaism.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the Israelites left Egypt, a journey that is central to the narrative known as the Exodus, they embarked on a prolonged trek through the Sinai desert and made a covenant to worship only Yahweh and obey his laws. Following their arrival in Canaan, Moses's general, Joshua, led military campaigns against the region's inhabitants, allowing the Hebrews to settle the land. Their history during this period is rich with events, including the erection of a golden calf idol during Moses's absence to Mt. Sinai, which led to the creation of new religious practices distinct from those of other cultures.
The biblical book of Judges describes how the Hebrews moved into the hills of Canaan, lived as members of twelve tribes, and, facing oppression from the Philistines, ultimately formed a kingdom called Israel. Their first king was Saul, followed by the successful reign of King David, who managed to drive the Philistines back. Significant archaeological evidence suggests that the Hebrews began settling Canaan around 1200 BCE, and the rise of Judaism, with its specific dietary laws and practices, emerged over time as a distinct monotheistic religion.