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Topic:
The Books Of First and Second Kings -- A Brief Overview
The books of first and second Kings were originally only one book in
the Hebrew canon, from in the LXX. and the Vulgate the third and fourth
books of Kings (the books of Samuel being the first and second). It must
be remembered that the division between the books of Kings and Samuel is
equally artificial, and that in point of fact the historical books
commencing with Judges and ending with 2Kings present the appearance of
one work, giving a continuous history of Israel from the time of Joshua
to the death of jehoiachin. The books of Kings contain the history from
David's death and Solomon's accession to the destruction of the kingdom
of Judah and the desolation of Jerusalem, with a supplemental notice of
an event that occurred after an interval of twenty-six years--viz., the
liberation of Jehoiachin from his prison at Babylon--and a still further
extension to Jehoiachin's death, the time of which is not known, but
which was probably not long after his liberation. The history therefore
comprehends the whole time of the Israelitish monarchy, exclusive of the
reigns of Saul and David. As regards the affairs of foreign nations and
the relation of Israel to them, the historical notices in these books,
though in the earlier times scanty, are most valuable, and in striking
accord with the latest additions to our knowledge of contemporary
profane history. A most important aid to a right understanding of the
history in these books, and to the filling up of its outline, is to be
found in the prophets, and especially in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Time when
written.--They were undoubtedly written during the period of the
captivity, probably after the twenty-sixth year. Authorship.--As regards
the authorship of the books, but little difficulty presents itself. The
Jewish tradition which ascribes them to Jeremiah is borne out by the
strongest internal evidence, in addition to that of the language.
Sources of information.--There was a regular series of state annals for
both the kingdom of Judah and that of Israel, which embraced the whole
time comprehended in the books of Kings, or at least to the end of the
reign of Jehoiakim. (2 Kings 24:5) These annals are constantly cited by
name as "the book of the acts of Solomon," (1 Kings 11:41) and
after Solomon "the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of
Judah" or "Israel," e.g. (1 Kings 14:29; 15:7;
16:5,14,20; 2 Kings 10:34; 24:5) etc.; and it is manifest that the
author of Kings had them both before him while he drew up his history,
in which the reigns of the two kingdoms are harmonized and these annals
constantly appealed to. But in addition to these national annals, there,
were also extant, at the time that the books of Kings were compiled,
separate works of the several prophets who had lived in Judah and
Israel. Authority.--Their canonical authority having never been
disputed, it is needless to bring forward the testimonies to their
authenticity which may be found in Josephus, Eusebius, jerome,
Augustine, etc. They are reckoned among the prophets, in the threefold
division of the Holy Scriptures; a position in accordance with the
supposition that they were compiled by Jeremiah, and contain the
narratives of the different prophets in succession. They are frequently
cited by our Lord and by the apostles.
From: Smith's Bible Dictionary. Fair Use. Presented for educational
purposes only.
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