Which step marks the era of the monarchy?

• A. The Kingdom
• B. Restoration
• C. Exile
• D. The Beginning

Answer: (A)

The step being tested is identifying the period when Israel shifts from being led by judges to being ruled by kings. That era begins with the establishment of the monarchy—the moment a king is anointed and sovereign rule begins over Israel, setting the stage for David’s reign and Solomon’s as well. This is why the label The Kingdom fits best: it marks the transition into a centralized royal rule rather than tribal leadership or prophetic guidance.

Exile refers to the period of Babylonian captivity, not the start of kingship; Restoration describes the return from exile under Persian rule, which comes after the exile. The Beginning points to Israel’s earliest history or creation, not the era of monarchic rule. So, The Kingdom is the step that marks the monarchy.