How did the ancient Israelis find mates?

And, how good were those marriages?

I think you mean Israelites. I don't think there were ancient Israelis, given that the state of Israel is only some 80 or so years old.

All the good ancient Israelites found their wives by dealing with sheep, or other animals.

Abraham's servant found a wife for his son because he had her feed his camel. Jacob got both of his wives and two concubines by pursuing his favourite wife, who was a shepherdess. Moses was rewarded his wife because he fought off the bad shepherds who weren't letting his wife and her sisters water their father's flocks (presumably shepherdesses also). David was a shepherd, but then got involved with the Philistines which are arguably even dirtier than animals. Finally, King Saul agreed to give him his daughter to wed if he'd but just smite 100 or so Philistines.

So as you can see, if you want a wife, you need to tend to animals - preferably sheep - unless smiting Philistines is your thing. The marriages were presumably good, but you do hear a few minor complaints.

That may explain why that one woman married/divorced five times. She was looking for a shepherd. Then she figured forget it, I'll just shack up with a guy. Less paperwork when we break up.

Please explain the difference for me? Israel was a country 3,000 years ago, and is one now. I would think that Israelis and Israelites were interchangeable terms. Why do you say they're not?

As for the rest of your post, I'm SOL because I ain't got no sheep.

Take the famous people in the OT Bible. Trust in God and they will get the fit one they want.
Only the parties themselves know how good it was.
And they must have blessed mates,For there is a boy to be born in the house of Israel, and that is Jesus Christ.

As for the rest of Israelites, they may be going through the same situation as we are now.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

The Israelites were those descended from Israel (Jacob). The Israelis are those whose citizenship is granted by the modern state of Israel.

And then she found the main shepherd at the well lol

Through Twitter - I think.
‘I am from the Mediterranean region so the way marriages used to work (and some still do) is that you go to the town square and you put up a sign “I’m looking for a wife”.

Then, family members come to you and interview you.
‘How much money do you have?
How many sheep do you have?
How many houses do you have?

Based on that, then they offer you a bride.

Ah... makes sense

This is true.

I’m fairly certain that the parents chose for their children

Chicken wings can be substituted in a pinch in some places.

The easiest way would be to move to Australia. They're all mates there.
G'day mate.

Oh Lord.

they went to the pub