Why did Hebrew historical writing present the history of a people rather than only a king or dynasty?

Hebrew historical writing focused on the history of a people rather than a single king or dynasty because of the unique Hebrew Bible conception of history centered on a covenant with Yahweh.1

Unlike the records of other ancient Western Asian peoples, which often emphasized the achievements of individual rulers, the Hebrew tradition identified the Israelites as a distinct collective chosen by God. This covenant, first established with Abraham, defined the destiny of the entire people rather than the power of a specific monarch.12

When the kingdoms of Israel and Judah faced collapse and exile, Hebrew writers did not focus on geopolitical success or dynastic glory. Instead, they reflected on the collective sins of the people and their relationship with the divine. This perspective transformed their history into a universal narrative, viewing the people as a "servant of all of humanity" whose purpose was not world power but the fulfillment of a divine plan. Consequently, their historiography became a record of a community’s moral and spiritual journey through time.13