THE%20BOOK%20OF%20KINGS

1
THE BOOK OF KINGS
2
OUTLINE OF KINGS I. Solomon and the United
Monarchy 1 Kings 1-11 A. Solomon secures the
throne 1-2 B. Solomon's wisdom 3-4
C. Building the temple 5-8 D. Solomon's
downfall 9-11 II. Parallel Histories of Israel
and Judah 1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17 A. Division of
the kingdom 12-16 B. Prophetic ministry of
Elijah 1 Kings 17-2 Kings 2 C. Prophetic
ministry of Elisha 2-9 D. Assyrian crisis
10-16 III. Judah to the Babylonian Exile 2
Kings 18-25 A. Hezekiah and Isaiah
18-20 B. Josiah's Reform 21-23 C. First
conquest of Jerusalem 24 D. Second conquest of
Jerusalem 25
3
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• A THE LITERARY WORLD SOLOMON
• The Succession Narrative (2Sm 9 - 1Kgs 2)
  initially keeps Solomon in the background
• It then shows how the prophet Nathan manipulated
  Solomons rise to power
• The secular nature of the Succession Narrative
  shows a more subtle view of divine involvement

4
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• Davids military career created an empire,
  Solomons kingship developed the empire
• Gained kingship by eliminating opposition of
  Davids eldest son, Adonijah (Joab and Abiathar)
• The single-minded brutality and ambition of
  Solomon is evident executes Adonijah, Joab and
  Shimei
• By the end of the Succession Narrative (1 Kgs 2)
  Solomon has solidified his power and prestige

5
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• Divine legitimation at Gibeon and introduction to
  wisdom motif (1 Kgs 3)
• Some very interesting problems with this
  passage
• 1 Kgs 32-3 What information does the author
  provide?
• The people were sacrificing at the high places,
  however, because no house had yet been built for
  the name of the LORD. Solomon loved the LORD,
  walking in the statutes of his father David
  only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the
  high places.

6
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• Divine legitimation at Gibeon and introduction to
  wisdom motif (1 Kgs 3)
• Some very interesting problems with this
  passage
• 1 Kgs 32-3 What information does the author
  provide?
• Note Kings is part of DH material (Deut
  1213-14)
• Take care that you do not offer your burnt
  offerings at any place you happen to see. But
  only at the place that the LORD will choose in
  one of your tribesthere you shall offer your
  burnt offerings and there you shall do everything
  I command you.

7
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• Divine legitimation at Gibeon and introduction to
  wisdom motif (1 Kgs 3)
• Some very interesting problems with this
  passage
• 1 Kgs 32-3 What information does the author
  provide?
• 1 Kgs 34 How does Solomon break Gods law?
• The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for
  that was the principal high place Solomon used
  to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that
  altar.

8
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• Divine legitimation at Gibeon and introduction to
  wisdom motif (1 Kgs 3)
• Some very interesting problems with this
  passage
• 1 Kgs 32-3 What information does the author
  provide?
• 1 Kgs 35 How does God punish Solomon for his
  disobedience?
• At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a
  dream by night and God said, Ask what I should
  give you.

9
GIBEON North of Jerusalem. What remains that is
worth seeing is the water shaft
10
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)
B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF
SOLOMON 5. Solomon reorganized bureaucratic and
military structures (all made possible because of
peace) a. Government (adding features common
to Egyptian government) i. Divided northern
kingdom into twelve administrative districts,
each with its own governor (changed tribal
allotments) ii. Each district responsible for
expenses of the royal court (Solomons tribe of
Judah was exempt!)
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I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)
B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF
SOLOMON 5. Solomon reorganized bureaucratic and
military structures (all made possible because of
peace) a. Government (adding features common
to Egyptian government) iii. Districts took
care of taxation, military conscription and
public compulsory labour (corvée) iv. District
boundaries disregard of traditional tribal
territories weakened independence
12
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)
B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF
SOLOMON 5. Solomon reorganized bureaucratic and
military structures (all made possible because of
peace) b. Military i. Built extensive passive
defences (walls and fortified cities e.g.,
Hazor, Gezer, Megiddo) see following slides
13
HAZOR
14
GEZER
15
MEGIDDO
16
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 5. Solomon reorganized bureaucratic and military
  structures (all made possible because of peace)
• b. Military
• Modernized weaponry (esp. chariots at least 10
  times more than David)
• Imported horses and built chariot garrisons all
  over

17
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 5. Solomon reorganized bureaucratic and military
  structures (all made possible because of peace)
• c. Trade and Commerce
• Broadened trade in all directions
• Most ambitious agreement with Hiram (Tyre) for a
  fleet of ships!
• Queen of Sheebas visit may have involved issues
  regarding this commerce (1 Kgs 10)

18
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 5. Solomon reorganized bureaucratic and military
  structures (all made possible because of peace)
• d. Construction
• Temple (most renowned accomplishment) seven
  years to build
• Palace took thirteen years to build considerably
  larger!

19
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 6. Theological developments during the monarchy
• a. Royal Theology
• The oracle of the prophet Nathan to king David (2
  Sam 7) the unconditional Davidic Covenant as
  follows
• 2 Sam 716
• Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure
  forever your throne shall be established
  forever.

How long is forever?
20
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 6. Theological developments during the monarchy
• a. Royal Theology
• Incidentally . . . 2 Kgs 111 ( 2 Chr 2210)
  tells of Queen Athaliah, a non-Judean, having the
  surviving males of Davids house murdered and
  seizing the throne for 6 years
• Thus, the eternal dynasty almost ended
  prematurely
• Ahaziahs son Joash, a Judean, however, escaped
  the massacre (2 Kgs 1123 2 Chr 221112)

21
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 6. Theological developments during the monarchy
• a. Royal Theology
• The Royal Psalms (Psalms 2, 72, 110, 132) used
  for coronations and associated royalty to Gods
  favour
• Psalm 26
• I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill

22
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 6. Theological developments during the monarchy
• a. Royal Theology
• King was Gods representative he was the
  administrator of justice (this impinges on later
  messianic expectations)
• Psalm 721-2
• Give your king your justice, O God, and your
  righteousness to a kings son
• May he judge your people with righteousness, and
  your poor with justice

23
Model of the City of David (Jerusalem)
What do you notice?
24
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 6. Theological developments during the monarchy
• b. Zion Theology (assured that Jerusalem is
  eternal)
• Psalms also refer to Jerusalem as a holy mountain
  and as the dwelling place of God (Psalms 46, 48,
  76)
• Psalm 488
• . . . In the city of our God, which God
  establishes forever
• Psalm 762
• His abode has been established in Salem, his
  dwelling place in Zion

25
I FROM STATE TO EMPIRE (2 Sm 1 Kgs 1-11)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD THE REIGN OF SOLOMON
• 6. Theological developments during the monarchy
• The Yahwistic History (J)
• Written during the early monarchic period (likely
  the time of Solomon)
• Relates Israels history from creation to
  settlement
• This stratum of Pentateuchal literature (one of 4
  strands) reflects tension between tribal freedom
  under Yahweh alone and the later bureaucratic
  regimes of the kings

26
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• A THE LITERARY WORLD THE PATTERNING OF HISTORY
  IN KINGS
• 1. Repeated use of a formula to summarize and
  assess the reigns of the kings
• Includes reference to historical source, length
  of reign, and naming successor
• All northern Israelite kings were assessed
  negatively because they worshipped Yahweh
  improperly
• Only two southern Judean kings are praised
  (Hezekiah and Josiah) simply because their
  actions as kings fell in line with the authors
  particular theology (DH)

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II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• A THE LITERARY WORLD THE PATTERNING OF HISTORY
  IN KINGS
• The role of prophets and prophecy
• DH has a very particular view of prophets and
  formulates the narrative accordingly
• Deuteronomy 131-5 How does one detect a false
  prophet?
• (See next slide)

28
Deut. 131 If prophets or those who divine by
dreams appear among you and promise you omens or
portents, Deut. 132 and the omens or the
portents declared by them take place, and they
say, Let us follow other gods (whom you have
not known) and let us serve them, Deut. 133
you must not heed the words of those prophets or
those who divine by dreams for the LORD your God
is testing you, to know whether you indeed love
the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.
Deut. 134 The LORD your God you shall follow,
him alone you shall fear, his commandments you
shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you
shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast.
Deut. 135 But those prophets or those who
divine by dreams shall be put to death for having
spoken treason against the LORD your Godwho
brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed
you from the house of slaveryto turn you from
the way in which the LORD your God commanded you
to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your
midst.
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II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• A THE LITERARY WORLD THE PATTERNING OF HISTORY
  IN KINGS
• The role of prophets and prophecy
• DH has a very particular view of prophets and
  formulates the narrative accordingly
• Deuteronomy1821-22 How does one detect a true
  prophet?
• (See next slide)

30
Deut. 1821 You may say to yourself, How can we
recognize a word that the LORD has not spoken?
Deut. 1822 If a prophet speaks in the name of
the LORD but the thing does not take place or
prove true, it is a word that the LORD has not
spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously
do not be frightened by it.
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II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 1. Two narratives cover the period of the Divided
  Kingdom
• 1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 25
• DH material completed during exilic period (ca.
  550 B.C.E.)
• Used several sources that are cited but
  unfortunately are no longer available

32
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 1. Two narratives cover the period of the Divided
  Kingdom
• 2 Chronicles 10-36
• Three features render it less useful than the DH
• It repeats much of the information in Kings
• It frequently alters details in order to serve
  specific theological purposes (e.g., 2 Chr
  3310-17)
• It displays an almost exclusive interest in the
  Southern Kingdom

33
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 2. Features that characterize the DH narrative
  (1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 25)
• Theological assumption guides the construction of
  the narrative
• Faithfulness to Sinai covenant brought blessing
  disobedience resulted in national ruin
• Focus is on the kings of both kingdoms but they
  are judged according to DH theology

34
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 2. Features that characterize the DH narrative
  (1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 25)
• Bias towards Judah is evident and it is due to
  the fact that DH is a southern source
• DHs selective coverage of events leaves
  significant gaps in the history

35
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• The Division of the Kingdom Four Specific Causes
• Pro-Saul people in the north unhappy with Davidic
  line replacing him
• Solomons heavy taxation and forced labour
  (corvée) more pronounced on the northern kingdom
• Centralization of the Yahweh cult to the city of
  Jerusalem deemphasized the northern shrines
• Solomons son Rehoboam, trying to enforce a more
  oppressive policy, was the final straw!

36
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• Jeroboam I
• Served under Solomon who once tried to kill him
  and so he was forced to flee to Egypt
• Chosen to be first king of the Northern Kingdom
• Israel dominated in size (10 versus 2 tribes!),
  economy and military strength over Judah
• DH concentrates on his religious reforms the
  reactivation of northern Yahwistic shrines at Dan
  and Bethel (use of golden calves see Ex. 32 for
  propagandistic narrative)

37
TELL DAN HIGH PLACE This open-air platform,
called a high place (Hebrew bamah) goes back as
early as the 10th century B.C.E. and may be
related to Jeroboams religious program.
Sacrifices and rituals would have been performed
here.
38
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• Jeroboam I
• Rejection of both Davidic (Royal) and Zion
  theology but not Yahwism!

39
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• b. Four different kings
• None were able to stabilize the monarchy
  eventually losing territory and power along the
  way

40
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• c. The Omrid Dynasty (result of a successful
  coup)
• Omri moved capital to Samaria and its splendour
  was unrivalled in Palestine

41
SAMARIA
42
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• c. The Omrid Dynasty (result of a successful
  coup)
• Enhanced Israels international standing through
  political alliances
• His son Ahab was married to Jezebel from Tyre
• Jezebels Baalism was a serious challenge to
  Yahwism and DH heightens the drama with a number
  of narratives focusing on this struggle (see Baal
  image on next slide)

43
Stele Showing the Storm-God Baal Ras-Shamra,
formerly Ugarit 14th-13th centuries
BC Sandstone The god is shown brandishing a mace
and a spear, the extremity of which is tipped
with vegetation this is an allusion to the
beneficial effects of the rain released by the
storm. A young and popular god, celebrated in
beautiful mythological texts discovered at
Ugarit, Baal is also the tutelary god the
dynasty the king of Ugarit is shown in prayer
beneath the arms of Baal. The style is both
attentive to anatomical detail and nobly
hieratic. This stele of Baal is one of the finest
pieces of sculpture that has come down to us from
Oriental antiquity.
44
STELA OF MESHA, KING OF MOABCOMMEMORATING HIS
VICTORY OVER THE KINGS OF ISRAEL Discovered in
1868, carries an inscription of thirty-four lines
in Moabite, a script close to ancient Phoenician.
The text commem-orates the defeat inflicted on
the kingdom of Israel after the death of Ahab,
shortly before 842 BC. The stela was erected at
Dibân, capital of Moab, by Mesha, son of
Kamoshyat, King of Moab.
45
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• d. The Jehu Dynasty (result of a successful and
  very bloody coup urged by the prophet Elisha)
• Overthrowing the Omrids placed Israel in conflict
  with neighbouring states
• Jeroboam II managed to restored Israels
  boundaries back to that of the old Davidic kingdom

See next slide for Seal Impression
46
The seal impression above is from a seal found at
Megiddo dating to the eighth century B.C.E. It
belonged to "Shema, servant of Jeroboam." The
roaring lion was a symbol of royal power.
47
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• d. The Jehu Dynasty (result of a successful and
  very bloody coup urged by the prophet Elisha)
• The prophets Amos and Hosea attacked social
  injustices exhibited in the Northern Kingdom
  during this time

48
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• e. The Fall of Israel (722 B.C.E.)
• Followed five successive kings who simply added
  to internal disintegration
• Assyrian expansion and consolidation under
  Tiglath-pileser III threatened

See next slide for Map of Assyrian Empire
49
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50
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 4. The Northern Kingdom (922-722 B.C.E.)
• e. The Fall of Israel (722 B.C.E.)
• Syro-Israelite alliance sought Judean support
  against Assyria but did not obtain it (see Ahaz
  of the Southern Kingdom below)
• Assyrian program of deportation resettled
  Israelites throughout Mesopotamia and replaced
  them with people imported from other areas of the
  empire

See next slide of Assyrian battle
51
SENNACHERIBS ATTACK ON LACHISH This scene is
from the palace reliefs of Nineveh and depicts
Sennacheribs attack on Lachish, a town in Judah
he captured in 701 B.C.E.
52
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• a. Rehoboam (922-915)
• Solomons son who refused to heed advice to
  lessen the economic burden on Israel
• Responsible for creating an economical dependence
  on Egypt and ultimately Judah became the weaker
  of the two kingdoms

53
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• b. Ahaz (735-715)
• Agreed to be a vassal of Assyria at an economic
  cost
• This political decision opened Judah to the
  influence of Assyrian religious practices
• Even constructed an altar in the Temple for
  Assyrian gods
• Kings of bordering Israel and Aram sieged
  Jerusalem in order to persuade Ahaz to join them
  against Assyria
• Isaiah comforts him with a prophecy (Isa 7)

54
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• c. Hezekiah (715-687)
• Instituted reforms focused on eradicating foreign
  worship and strengthening Yahwism
• Led to direct conflict with Assyria, Assyrian
  forces attacked but then mysterious retreated

55
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• d. Manasseh (687-642)
• Reversed his fathers policies in terms of
  Yahwism
• Presented as the worst king ever!
• His long reign (55 years) was theologically
  problematic Chronicles, therefore, added the
  repentance story (2 Ch 33)

56
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• e. Josiah (640-609)
• Counted as one of Judahs greatest kings with his
  sweeping reforms upon discovering the book of
  the law (Deut 12-26) in the Temple
• Temple cult in Jerusalem purified by eradicating
  Assyrian and Canaanite worship
• Local shrines around Judean countryside were
  purged of non-Yahwistic elements
• Reform extended into area of former Northern
  Kingdom exaggeration?

57
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• e. Josiah (640-609)
• Counted as one of Judahs greatest kings with his
  sweeping reforms upon discovering the book of
  the law (Deut 12-26) in the Temple
• Reform represented a virtual declaration of
  independence from Assyria

58
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• e. Josiah (640-609)
• Scholars first version of DH recorded at this
  time
• There was optimism and enthusiasm about Josiahs
  successful consolidation of national religion
• Like a second Joshua, he conquered (illegitimate
  worship) and then had a covenant renewal with a
  Passover celebration
• The death of Josiah at the hands of the Egyptian
  Pharaoh in battle was not expected!

59
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• f. The Fall of Judah (587)
• The rise of Babylon was the beginning of the end
  for Judah

See next slide for Map of Babylonian Empire
60
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61
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• f. The Fall of Judah (587)
• Attempts at revolt from Babylonian imperialism
  eventually led to deportation of Judah

See next slide for Babylonian cylinder
62
NEBUCHADNEZZAR AND THE CONQUEST OF JERUSALEM
CYLINDER 6TH CENTURY B.C.E. Nebuchadnezzar II
(604-562 B.C.E.) defeated the Egyptians, rebuilt
Babylon, and renewed the glories of an
independent Babylonia for the last time. He twice
invaded Judaea, capturing Jerusalem, destroying
its temple, and exiling the cream of its
population to Babylon. But like the other members
of his dynasty (variously known as the Chaldaean
Dynasty or the Tenth Dynasty of Babylon), he
forbore to rehearse the details of his victorious
campaigns in his own inscriptions, which dwell by
preference on his pious activities on behalf of
the Babylonian deities. This cylinder, for
example, commemorates his reconstruction of the
temple of the god of the city Marada. For his
campaigns against Jerusalem, we must turn instead
to the Babylonian Chronicle, a priestly record
of the chief events of each year beginning in 747
B.C. The Chronicles version of matters is
remarkably similar to that preserved in the Bible
(2 Kings 2410-17 etc.).
63
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• f. The Fall of Judah (587)
• Second edition of DH created to make the ultimate
  disaster appear inevitable
• Did not alter the terms of the original Davidic
  covenant it remained unconditional (2 Sam 7)
• Rephrased in later references in order to making
  it conditional on kings loyalty to Yahweh (e.g.,
  1 Kgs. 94-9 and Psalm 132)
• Psalm 13211-12
• The LORD swore an oath to David a sure oath
  from which he will not turn back . . . If your
  sons keep my covenant . . . Forevermore shall sit
  on your throne

64
II FROM EMPIRE TO EXILE (1 Kgs 12 - 2 Kgs 25)

• B THE HISTORICAL WORLD
• 5. The Southern Kingdom (922-587 B.C.E.)
• f. The Fall of Judah (587)
• Second edition of DH created to make the ultimate
  disaster appear inevitable
• Also blamed Manasseh for having provoked Yahweh
  by his reversal of Hezekiahs reforms (2 Kgs
  2326-27)
• Note that the demise of Judah specifically is not
  ever mentioned in the Babylonian records

65

• Tonights Tutorial Assignment
• Read carefully Solomons temple dedication
  prayer in 1 Kings 822-99
• What do you see in its contents that suggest it
  was not something he could have or would have
  said?
• Isolate expressions or sentences that you find
  strange in a dedicatory prayer for something that
  is suppose to be the greatest moment in Israelite
  history.
• When would you say it was likely written and why?

66

• Tutorial Preparation for Next Week
• Isaiah was one of four OT prophets who operated
  during the eighth century B.C.E. While Amos and
  Hosea concentrated their labours on the Northern
  Kingdom, Micah and Isaiah dealt with the Southern
  Kingdom. Read carefully chapter seven of Isaiah
  and do not ignore the information in the
  footnotes.
• Who are the important people in this incident?
• What is their relationship to each other?
• Why are they interacting at this time?
• Why does Isaiah make an appearance?
• Why does he give a sign and what does it mean in
  the context of the story? Interpret the sign in
  terms of its original situation.