Background to the Book of Kings

Literary:xxxThe Books of Kings are divided into two for convenience sake and contain the story of the death of David, the reign of Solomon and the circumstances which lead to the division of the North and Southern Kingdoms. They give a potted and biased theological history of the next 350 years ending with the release of Jehoiachin in Babylon.

Chronology

It is highly likely that 1 & 11 Kings forms part of the Deuteronomistic History, most of which was written in the time of Josiah with additions in exile to speak to a new situation. The books of Kings have been a major focus for finding the particular theological emphases of the Deuteronomic Historian.

The whole history is set up to evaluate the kings in light of the Law. All kings of Israel are condemned and only two of the Judean kings other than David are viewed positively, Hezekiah and Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Major interests which govern the material are as follows:

• Cultic orthodoxy as set out in the Book of Deuteronomy with Jerusalem as the place of worship. There is no compromise between Yahwistic faith and Canaanite or other cults. Apostasy led to disaster. This is demonstrated very clearly in the stories of Jeroboam who attempted to build the sanctuaries of Dan and Bethel, 11 K 13:1-10.
• Fulfilment of the Word of God in prophecy (von Rad, The Problem of the Hexateuch and other Essays, pp.205-221).
  Some examples of this occurrence can be seen in the following passages:

1. 11 Sam 7:13 ---> 1 K 8:20
2. 1 K 11:29ff -----> 1 K 12:15b
3. 1 K 13 ------> 11 K 23:16-18
4. 1 K 14:6ff ------> 1 K 15:29
5. Joshua 6:26 -----> 1 K 16:34
6. 1 K 22:17 ------> 1 K 22:35ff
7. 1 K 22:21ff -----> 1 K 21:27-29
8. 11 K 21:10 ------> 11 K 24:2
9. 11 K 22:15ff ------> 11 K 23:30

Divine punishment occurs because of the disobedience of the kings and people to the law. History is interpreted in light of Yahweh's purpose, so the loss of the North is blamed on their disobedience to the law of Moses, 11 K 17:7f, 18:12, 21:8, 23:25. That the people were now in exile was their own fault and Not Yahweh's and indeed justified his anger. David is also a measuring rod alongside the Mosaic law by which the kings are judged . The laws are the will of God for the people of Israel, punishment follows when the laws are flouted. On the other hand, God's patience and faithfulness is demonstrated throughout Deuteronomic History:
1 K 11:13 - I will not tear away all the kingdom; 1 K 11:32, 1 K 11:36 et al. Many of them based on the promise made to David.

Any information which does not line up directly onto these themes gets little attention e.g.

• Omri's extensive building programme in Samaria.
• The first 10 years of Josiah's reign hardly signifies, only the reformation is of real importance.

The two reasons given for the loss of the 10 tribes is the defection of Solomon from the law (1 K 11:31-39) and Jeroboam's apostasy with his attempt to build sanctuaries at Dan and Bethel. A number of Literary Sources are identified within the books of Kings: it will be noted the author uses these written sources for his own particular theological purpose.

1. Book of the Acts of the Kings
2. Book of Chronicles of the Kings of Israel
3. Book of Chronicles of the Kings of Judah
4. Account of Ahab's wars with Damascus
5. Prophetic traditions of Elijah
6. " " Elisha
7. " " Isaiah in 11 Kings 18-20
8. " " Ahijah

History within the Text:xxxThe books of Samuel tell us in great detail about the rise of the kings, how they came about and the role of the prophet in this new form of government. The decline of Saul, the rise of David and the relationship between Saul's son Jonathon and David is given many chapters (Samuel = 25, Saul = 22, David = 29, Solomon = 10). The second book of Samuel describes the rise of David and the gradual defeat of the countries surrounding Israel. The geographic size of the kingdom is the greatest it will be until the advent of the Six Day War in the 20th century. The Philistines are particularly difficult to overcome if the records in the Hebrew Scriptures are in chronological order. It appears as though they are defeated once and for all and then pop up as a threat in the next chapter. David has problems within his own household which indicate also the union of the twelve tribes is on a very fragile footing.

What is happening in the surrounding great empires?

During the 13th BCE the Assyrians had been a significant power in the region and had come into contact with the Hittite empire which came to an end in late 13th BCE. From around 1200 BCE, Assyria was in decline and did not become a major force in the area again until the 9th BCE. It remained a significant empire until its defeat in the Fall of Ninevah by the Babylonians in 612 BCE.

After the Israelites fled Egypt, the Egyptian Empire went into gradual decline except for a brief foray into Judah in the reign of Rehoboam by Shishak.

As it can be seen from the brief paragraphs describing the scenarios in Egypt and Mesopotamia there was little time or energy for intrusion into Palestine, which allowed David to extend his empire without interference from the Empires on either side of Israel. This does not deny the military acumen and charisma that David needed to weld the tribes together to fight as a cohesive unit. His major foe was the Philistines with whom he was in constant battle before finally gaining peace and the space to defeat the small countries such as Moab, Edom and Ammon. Syria was a force to be reckoned with in the late 10th BCE until its defeat by the Assyrians in the mid 9th BCE. It was Assyrians who defeated the Northern Kingdom and brought an end to the 10 tribes of Israel. Judah survived the attacks of the Assyrians, but lived as a vassal state for nearly all its existence until its final defeat by the Babylonians in 587 BCE.

Map 5 Kingdom of David and Solomon

Top

Context of 2 Kgs 2:1-12

This story, like that of Epiphany 6, is part of the Elijah/Elisha cycle of stories which begins in 1 Kings 17 when Elijah has the first of many conversations with the King Ahab who had not long come to the throne. Ahab was condemned in the writings because he did evil in the sight of the Lord, married a foreign princess and encouraged the worship of foreign idols. Elijah spoke the word of God to the King and the people. He spent three years with a widow in Sidon who was provided with food by a miracle performed by Elijah who later performed another miracle when he raised the widow's son from the dead. The drought which had been prophesied by Elijah was broken after Elijah went to speak with the King. On the way he met Obadiah who had hidden and fed a hundred of his prophets from the Jezebel who wanted to kill all the prophets of Yahweh.

Elijah declares that he, Ahab, has forsaken Yahweh and Elijah challenges him and his 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a contest on the top of Mount Carmel. The people are challenged also about which god they will follow. Elijah wins the contest when the sacrifice is burnt by fire after it has been soaked by barrels of water, to prove the power of Yahweh. The prophets of Baal are killed as was the custom of those times when a victor killed the challengers. Rain came to break the drought and Elijah went with Ahab to break the news to Jezebel about the loss of her prophets.

After his experience of God in the wilderness Yahweh commands Elijah to return and anoint a foreign king in Damascus. He is to anoint Hazael King of Syria. This is most unusual to anoint a foreign king in a foreign court. He is also to anoint the successor of Ahab who is Jehu and his own successor Elisha. Prophets were an active part of the political scene. They were never coy about this involvement. 1 Kings 20 describes the battle with Benhadad King of Syria, and the resultant covenant made between the King of Israel (Ahab) and Syria. Apparently because Ahab spared Benhadad whom he was supposed to kill he was condemned by one of the prophetic band (1 Kings 20:42). The Elijah saga continues in 1 Kings 21 with the story of Ahab and Jezebel who cheat and kill Naboth in order to get hold of his vineyard. We looked at 1 Kings 21 in detail in the Pentecost 2, 2004 readings. This treachery of Ahab is the final seal on his House and when Elijah confronts Ahab with his actions he prophecies that Ahab will die and Jezebel be eaten by dogs. The chapter following picks up the conflict with Syria and now Judah comes on the scene when Ahab asks the King of Judah (Jehoshaphat) to fight with him to reclaim some territory which Syria occupies.

The Kings of Judah and Israel do the right thing and consult the Lord through the prophets who say it will be all right to go into battle, but Jehoshaphat is still nervous and so they consult with Micah ben Imlah who agrees that it is the right time to go against the King of Syria. Along with these prophetic words was the prophecy that Israel would be without a leader. This came true when Ahab was struck by a stray arrow and carried from battle mortally wounded. After Elijah is taken up to heaven, the designated Elisha takes over as head of this prophetic group (2 Kgs 2ff). There follows many curious stories about Elisha, some have parallels with Elijah, such as the raising of the widow's son. Others include miracles: cleansing of the impure water, reversing the poison in the pot of food, raising a lost axe-head from the water, and the great story of the healing of the foreigner - Naaman. Elisha later plays a significant role in appointing the person who will overthrow the reigning monarch, Ahab and institute a new monarchy under Jehu (2 Kgs 9ff)/

Several times in the Elijah stories we hear about a prophecy which later is shown to come true,for example, Elijah prophecies the end of the house of Ahab and a couple of chapters later the story demonstrates how this comes to pass. This was an important aspect of the Deuteronomistic writings. We must never forget that the Prophets were part of the political, social and religious life. There was no separation of the political and religious spheres in the life of Israel and Judah.

Chronology Kings of Israel/Judah

Top

Insights/Message of 2 Kgs 2:1-12

Literary

V.1 forecasts the main event of this chapter which is the translation of Elijah into heaven vv.7-15. Vv.1b-6 use the journey and dialogue to get to the place where this event will happen and vv.16-18 confirm that Elijah has really been taken up. The journey is in 3 stages: Elijah and Elisha are on their way from Gilgal when Elijah announces he has to go on ahead to Bethel. Elisha refuses to leave him and they continue to Bethel. This saga is repeated at Bethel and they both continue to Jericho and again the same story until they arrive on the banks of the Jordon.

Map of Elijah's Journeys

At Bethel and Jericho there were sons of the prophets who reminded Elisha that Elijah was about to die and at the Jordon fifty of the sons of the prophets came with them. In each instance of the reminder to Elisha, he states that he knows and commands them to hold their peace.
Three times Elisha uses an oath which confirms his loyalty to Yahweh and his commitment to Elijah. It has the same flavour as Ruth's avowal of loyalty to Naomi.

We have arrived with the one who will die, the one who will succeed and fifty witnesses. The act of Elijah striking the water with his cloak and the Jordan parting is reminiscent of Moses and the crossing of the Red Sea. It is not the first time Elijah is seen to be in the footsteps of Moses.
Long has quite a helpful inclusio for vv.7-15:

• Sons of the prophets at some distance (v.7)
  • River divided, Elijah and Elisha cross over (v.8)
    • Vision in the Transjordan (vv.9-12)
  • River divided, Elisha crosses back (vv.13-14)
• Sons of the prophets at some distance (v.7) (Long, 25)

Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit is in response to Elijah's question asking Elisha "what shall I do for you?" Because it is a hard thing which Elisha has asked it will be dependent on Elisha's ability to see Elijah's transportation into heaven. This seeing includes the full spiritual understanding of a prophet's role and spirituality. An heir has a right to double the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). The response of Elisha when he saw Elijah's ascension was to acknowledge him as father. Not sure if this is in reverence to Elijah as master and the father/son relationship which was depicted in wisdom circles.

Message:xxxThis passage is the record of Elijah's successor after he has ascended into heaven. Verse 1 tell us what is to happen before we are taken on the journey. The 'sons of prophets' act as witnesses and it is they who acknowledge in v.15 that "The spirit of Elijah, rests on Elisha". It is obviously important that the successor to Elijah is truly recognised as the rightful heir. He asks for what is know to be the proper request - a double share, except here it is the spirit of Elijah and not worldly goods. When the text states that Elisha "saw it" (v.12), it implies that he understands the full significance of the role he now inherits in response to Elijah's condition that he" sees" (v.10) his ascension.

This chapter is seen by many scholars to verify the idea that there were schools of prophets who gathered around and were disciples, much like the twelve disciples of Jesus. It is important to have a line of approved prophets to whom God speaks and the action of Elijah in parting the waters puts him in line with Moses, as it does for Elisha who parts the water on his return journey.

The image of the fiery chariot and horses of fire all point to a theophany of God.

Through the centuries the church has passed on the mantle of leadership to people within the community in order that there can be those who give express their gifts in this way. In the Uniting Church in Australia it is done through ordination and also in commissioning of people for a variety of ministries. The role of prophecy changed totally in New Testament church and prophets in line of Old Testament prophets are much harder to recognise because like prophet of old they stand on the edge of the church and confront the community in a variety of ways.

Elijah has become an important figure in the Christian tradition. John the Baptist was seen in line with the Elijah figure and he was the person called upon by Jesus on the cross. In the transfiguration accounts in the New Testament we have the witness of the disciples to Jesus' future resurrection as Elisha witnessed to the transfiguration of Elijah. Furthermore, it testifies to the succession of the disciples as those who will carry the work and mission of Jesus.

Further Pictures

Top

Resources/Worship for 2 Kgs 2:1-12

Worship:xxxThis reading is set out well in the Dramatised Bible for a number of people to read the characters and the story comes alive in new ways.

Resources:xxxCommentaries

The Old Testament Guides (OTG) by Sheffield Academic Press are an excellent small resource which give many suggestions for readings on particular aspects in the book.

The New Interpreter's Bible is another very helpful resource and published in the late 1990's - 2002 is more up to date than some earlier works.

Childs, B.S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. London: SCM Press, 1993
Devries, S.J. 1 Kings. WBC. Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1985
Gray, J. 1 & 11 Kings. OTL. London: SCM Press, 1964
Jones, G.H. 1 and 2 Kings, NCB. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984.
Long, B.O. 1 Kings, with an Introduction to Historical Literature. FOTL. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984.
Nelson, R.D. 1 and 2 Kings. Interpretation. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1987.
Seow, C-L, The First and Second Books of Kings, NIB 111. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999.

The Dramatised Bible: ed. Michael Perry. London: Marshall Pickering: Bible Society, 1989

Web sites with helpful lectionary resources: These links were updated 23/11/06

http://nat.uca.org.au/TD/worship/Orders_of_Service/index.html
http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/
http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/
http://home.alphalink.com.au/~nigel/b_rcl.htm
http://mediacom.mediacomonline.org.au/index.php
http://www.laughingbird.net/html/home.php
http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/
http://www.bible.org/docs
http://www.gbod.org/worship
http://www.lectionary.org
http://www.textweek.com
http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/
http://www.spirit-net.ca/sermon.html

Top