Study
0 From the Book of 1 Kings: Is the Introduction of the book
1
and 2 Kings form a single unit, the present somewhat arbitrary
division having originated in the Vulgate. They give an account and
complete history of the kings and the kingdoms ('of the kingdoms' is
the probable literal rendering of the titles). The account bears
marks of being the work of a single author using as his sources
various documents (see 1 Ki. 11: 41; 14:19, 29; 15:7, etc.) including
prophetic memoirs. It is important to remember that the whole is
written from the religious and prophetic point of view, not from that
of the secular historian. As the New Bible Commentary
remarks: 'This is the explanation why certain of the kings who were
most important for their contemporaries, e.g., Omri (1 Ki. xvi.
23-28), Azariah or Uzziah (2 Ki. xv. 1-7). Jeroboam II (2 Ki. Xiv
23-29), are passed over in virtual silence. It is spiritual, not
political lessons, that we are to learn. That is why the two
periods of crisis, the reigns of Ahab for the North and of Hezekiah
for the south, are given at special length.'
Expressed
concisely, the theme of the book is that of Israel as the redeemed
people of Jehovah, bearing His Name, and the kings as His
representatives. Thus a wicked king is a paradox, as well as
historically evil, and a good king by righteous acts is setting forth
the rule of God. The sin of the people inevitably leads to the
captivities, and throughout, political incidents are shown to be the
effect of the fidelity or or idolatry of the people. One proof of
this is that prophetic activity is prominent in the reigns of wicked
kings.
