Chapter 8 Summary

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Chapter 8 summary DH sources on the independent northern kingdom of Israel and parallel rulers of Judah are composed of sparse annalistic political-historical documentation and more liberal miscellaneous literary traditions, mostly stories about prophets. Other sources from this period include the Elohist (E) and Amos and Hosea. While the northern kingdom was formed in rebellion against Solomon’s oppressive economic and political policies, it soon developed similar policies, especially under the Omri dynasty. Despite Jehu’s supposed purge of this kingdom, Israel continued to concentrate wealth and land in the hands of a privileged class to the detriment of a peasant majority and the old protective tribal structures. In a more exposed and difficult geopolitical context than Judah was, the northern kingdom was finally destroyed by the Assyrians. Most likely emerging in either the Omri or Jehu dynasties, E, more than the Yahwist, retains premonarchic and egalitatarian traditions that reflect the origins of Yahwism in the north. Elijah and Elisha stories seem also to have been borne by Yahwists opposed to Baal as well as to oppressive monarchic structures. Amos probably lived in a milieu shaped by old tribal mores and socioethical laws and knew the oppression of the poor, all of which was ignited by God’s call to vivid, dire prophetic speech in the capital of the northern kingdom. Hosea also spoke out in the northern kingdom, prophesying against Yahwism- become-Baalism and socioeconomic wrongs but also drawing on traditions of the exodus and wilderness wandering for modestly hopeful thinking about the future of Israel. .

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2 the Assyrian Empire, the Conquest of Israel, and the Colonization of Judah 37 I
ISRAEL AND EMPIRE ii ISRAEL AND EMPIRE A Postcolonial History of Israel and Early Judaism Leo G. Perdue and Warren Carter Edited by Coleman A. Baker LONDON • NEW DELHI • NEW YORK • SYDNEY 1 Bloomsbury T&T Clark An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Imprint previously known as T&T Clark 50 Bedford Square 1385 Broadway London New York WC1B 3DP NY 10018 UK USA www.bloomsbury.com Bloomsbury, T&T Clark and the Diana logo are trademarks of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc First published 2015 © Leo G. Perdue, Warren Carter and Coleman A. Baker, 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Leo G. Perdue, Warren Carter and Coleman A. Baker have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Authors of this work. No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organization acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by Bloomsbury or the authors. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: HB: 978-0-56705-409-8 PB: 978-0-56724-328-7 ePDF: 978-0-56728-051-0 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Typeset by Forthcoming Publications (www.forthpub.com) 1 Contents Abbreviations vii Preface ix Introduction: Empires, Colonies, and Postcolonial Interpretation 1 I.
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Chart of the Kings of Israel and Judah
The Kings of Israel & Judah Why Study the Kings? Chart of the Kings Questions for Discussion The Heritage of Jesus Host: Alan's Gleanings Alphabetical List of the Kings A Comment about Names God's Message of Salvation Kings of the United Kingdom (c 1025-925 BC) Relationship to God's King Previous King Judgment Saul none did evil Ishbosheth* son (unknown) David none did right Solomon did right in youth, son (AKA Jedidiah) evil in old age * The kingdom was divided during Ishbosheth's reign; David was king over the tribe of Judah. Kings of Judah (c 925-586 BC) Kings of Israel (c 925-721 BC) Relationship to God's Relationship to God's King King Previous King Judgment Previous King Judgment Rehoboam son did evil Abijam Jeroboam servant did evil son did evil (AKA Abijah) Nadab son did evil Baasha none did evil Asa son did right Elah son did evil Zimri captain did evil Omri captain did evil Ahab son did evil Jehoshaphat son did right Ahaziah son did evil Jehoram son did evil (AKA Joram) Jehoram son of Ahab did evil Ahaziah (AKA Joram) (AKA Azariah son did evil or Jehoahaz) Athaliah mother did evil Jehu captain mixed Joash did right in youth, son of Ahaziah Jehoahaz son did evil (AKA Jehoash) evil in old age Joash did right in youth, son did evil Amaziah son (AKA Jehoash) evil in old age Jeroboam II son did evil Zachariah son did evil did evil Uzziah Shallum none son did right (surmised) (AKA Azariah) Menahem none did evil Pekahiah son did evil Jotham son did right Pekah captain did evil Ahaz son did evil Hoshea none did evil Hezekiah son did right Manasseh son did evil Amon son did evil Josiah son did right Jehoahaz son did evil (AKA Shallum) Jehoiakim Assyrian captivity son of Josiah did evil (AKA Eliakim) Jehoiachin (AKA Coniah son did evil or Jeconiah) Zedekiah son of Josiah did evil (AKA Mattaniah) Babylonian captivity Color Code Legend: King did right King did evil Other.
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H 02-UP-011 Assyria Io02
he Hebrew Bible records the history of ancient Israel reign. In three different inscriptions, Shalmaneser III and Judah, relating that the two kingdoms were recounts that he received tribute from Tyre, Sidon, and united under Saul (ca. 1000 B.C.) Jehu, son of Omri, in his 18th year, tand became politically separate fol- usually figured as 841 B.C. Thus, Jehu, lowing Solomon’s death (ca. 935 B.C.). the next Israelite king to whom the The division continued until the Assyrians refer, appears in the same Assyrians, whose empire was expand- order as described in the Bible. But he ing during that period, exiled Israel is identified as ruling a place with a in the late eighth century B.C. different geographic name, Bit Omri But the goal of the Bible was not to (the house of Omri). record history, and the text does not One of Shalmaneser III’s final edi- shy away from theological explana- tions of annals, the Black Obelisk, tions for events. Given this problem- contains another reference to Jehu. In atic relationship between sacred the second row of figures from the interpretation and historical accura- top, Jehu is depicted with the caption, cy, historians welcomed the discovery “Tribute of Iaua (Jehu), son of Omri. of ancient Assyrian cuneiform docu- Silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden ments that refer to people and places beaker, golden goblets, pitchers of mentioned in the Bible. Discovered gold, lead, staves for the hand of the in the 19th century, these historical king, javelins, I received from him.”As records are now being used by schol- scholar Michele Marcus points out, ars to corroborate and augment the Jehu’s placement on this monument biblical text, especially the Bible’s indicates that his importance for the COPYRIGHT THE BRITISH MUSEUM “historical books” of Kings.
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Elijah the Prophet I Kings 16 29 Ahab Son of Omri Became King Over
Elijah The Prophet I Kings 16 29A hab son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Asa of Judah, and Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-two years. 30A hab son of Omri did what was displeasing to the 31 LORD , more than all who preceded him. Not content to follow the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he took as wife Jezebel daughter of King Ethbaal of the Phoenicians, and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32H e erected an altar to Baal in the temple of Baal which he built in Samaria. 33A hab also made a sacred post. Ahab did more to vex the LORD , the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel who preceded him. 17 Elijah of Tishbi, an inhabitant of Gilead, said 2 to Ahab, “As the LORD lives, the God of Israel whom I serve, there will be no dew or rain except at my bidding.” The 3 word of the LORD came to him: “Leave this place; turn eastward and go into hiding by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4Y ou will drink from the wadi, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” … 18 Much later, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go, appear before Ahab; then I will send rain upon the earth.” 2T hereupon Elijah set out to appear before Ahab…. 17W hen Ahab caught sight of Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” 18H e retorted, “It is not I who have brought trouble on Israel, but you and your father’s House, by forsaking the commandments of the LORD and going after the Baalim.
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Jehoram and Ahaziah Once Again
ANOTHER SHAKINGOF JEHOSHAPHAT’S FAMILYTREE: JEHORAM AND AHAZIAH ONCE AGAIN by W. BOYD BARRICK Billings This essay reexamines the genealogical relationships of Jehoram and Ahaziah of Judah to each other, to their predecessor Jehoshaphat, and to the House of Omri in (North-)Israel. According to most historical reconstructions, Jehoram was the natural son of Jehoshaphat and an unnamed spouse, and Ahaziah was the natural son of Jehoram and Athaliah. The relevant biblical data are anything but clear, however, and this proposal and the alternatives heretofore advanced are not entirely satisfactory. The data and the problems 2 Kgs. viii 17 reports that Jehoram b. Jehoshaphat came to the throne at 32 years of age (hereinafter “yoa”). This datum coupled with the regnal data given for Jehoshaphat in 1 Kgs. xxii 42 means that Jehoshaphat was about 28 yoa ([35 yoa + 25 years of reign] - 32 yoa) at his birth. The average age of the fteen Judahite royal fathers from Jehoshaphat to Jehoiakim at the birth of their successors is 24.73 yoa. 1 The ages of the fathers of ve kings, however, are suspiciously high (Jotham, Manasseh, and Amon would have been born when their respective fathers were 43 yoa, 42 yoa, and 45 yoa, advanced ages for the time, whether or not they were rst-born sons; Amaziah’s 38 yoa is also substantially above the average) or low (Ahaz’s 11 yoa at Hezekiah’s birth is physiologically dubious). 2 Jehoshaphat’s age at Jehoram’s birth also is suspiciously high, but for di Verent reasons 1 Calculatedfrom thedata given in 1Kgs.xxii 42; 2Kgs.viii 17, 26; xii 1-2; xiv 2; xv 2, 33; xvi 2; xviii 2; xxi 1, 10; xxii 2; xxiii 31, 36; xxiv 8, 18.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DHW BIBLE CLASS LESSON 11A the FIRST BOOK of KINGS CHAPTER 16 INTRODUCTION Israel's
CALVARY PANDAN BIBLE- Judah too suffered from spiritual PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH backsliding. Rehoboam did not walk in the ways of David but did evil in the [Adapted from Bethel Bible-Presbyterian eyes of the LORD. His son Abijam Church, 10 Downing St. Oakleigh, Vic., 3166] followed in his footsteps. But God was merciful - for David’s sake, a good king DHW BIBLE CLASS would ascend to the throne. Asa (Abijam’s son) reigned for 41 years LESSON 11A and carried out religious reforms in the THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS land. He led the people away from CHAPTER 16 their idolatrous worship back to the LORD their God. For a time, there was spiritual revival. INTRODUCTION Chapter 16 gives an account of Israel’s relationship with God five kings. Baasha reigned for 24 years was sliding further downhill. When – this showed that he was a strong Jeroboam was king over Israel, he king who could control the land. He made graven images in the form of died a natural death (16:1-7), and was golden calves and called the people to succeeded by his son, Elah who worship them as their God who had reigned only for 2 years (16:8-10). delivered them out of bondage from Elah was assassinated by Zimri, an Egypt. In about 60 years of Israel’s officer in his army, who made himself history from Jeroboam to Ahab (930- king. But Zimri reigned for only 7 days. 874 B.C.), the people of Israel bowed He committed suicide when another down and worshipped Baal, the contender to the throne attacked him Canaanite god of fertility.
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Zimri the Law of the Harvest
L E A R N I N G F R O M T H E L E A D E R S Old Testament Portraits of Life ZIMRI THE LAW OF THE HARVEST Text: 1 Kings 16:8–20 king’s house over him with fire, and died, because of his sins which he sinned, doing evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the way of Zimri: Have you heard of him? We remem- Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, making ber Joseph for his purity, Abraham for his faith, Israel sin (16:15–19). Saul for his looks, David for his heart—but what comes to your mind when you think of Zimri? Zimri was a follower of the ways of Jeroboam. Probably nothing. The reason we draw a blank He usurped the throne and tried to reign over when the name Zimri comes up is that he does Israel, but his attempt was a dismal failure, last- not stay around long in the Scriptures. His rule ing only seven days. At the time of the usurpa- lasted only the blink of an eye, one week in 885 tion, the military forces of Israel were engaged in B.C., the shortest rule of any Northern king. It the siege of Gibbethon, in an effort to recover could even be convincingly claimed that he was that “thorn-in-the-side” city from the Philis- not really a king; he was only a “would-be” king, tines. Israel’s army was led by Omri, who was just a momentary usurper, and should not be especially popular with the people.
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Teacher Bible Study Lesson Overview/Schedule
1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 1: Israel’s History of Evil Kings TEACHER BIBLE STUDY The nation of Israel experienced quite the range of leaders throughout its history. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Joshua brought them into the promised land. From there, Israel was ruled by a series of judges: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, and several others until the time of Samson. The period of the judges was not a particularly proud time in Israel’s history. Without a godly king, the people continuously turned away from God and disobeyed Him. “Everyone did whatever he wanted” (Judges 21:25). Then came Samuel. Samuel guided God’s people between the time of the judges and the time of the kings. The Israelites asked for a king, and God gave them Saul. But God took Saul’s kingdom away and gave it to David. When David died, his son Solomon became king. Solomon’s sin led to the nation of Israel being divided into two kingdoms. Solomon’s son Rehoboam ruled over Judah in the south, and Jeroboam ruled over Israel in the north. For several decades, Israel was led by men who did evil. Baasha became the third king of the Northern Kingdom when he murdered the second king. Baasha made God’s people in Israel sin, and when he died, his son Elah became king. Elah was king for two years, but then his servant Zimri killed him. Zimri became the next king. Zimri’s reign was short—just seven days.
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The Life & Times of Ahab
Ahab The Life & Times of Ahab Ahab whose name means ‘the Father is my brother’, i.e. ‘God is my close relative’ (Pfeiffer, 1988: 40), owed much of his successful to his father Ormi’s efforts to set the Northern Kingdom on a firm political foundation. Omri founded Samaria, the third capital of the Northern Kingdom in his 7th year (c. 880 BC). Jeroboam had chosen Shechem, a place of with ancient associations with the patriarchs Abraham (Gen. 12:6) and Jacob (Gen. 33:18). Later the capital had moved to Tirzah, about 7 miles to the north-east of Shechem." (Bruce, 1983: 43). Omri bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for 2 shekels of silver (1 Kings 16:24), and increased its natural advantages by fortification. Samaria was built on an isolated hill, 90m [300 ft] in height, connected with the surrounding hill country only by a saddle to the east and surrounded by a fertile valley (Isa. 28:1, 4) (Van Selms, 1988: 296). The strength of Samaria can be gauged by the number of sieges it withstood against well-equipped armies during its 150 year history. It took the Assyrians three years to capture it (725-722 BC). The city could control the trade routes to the North, East and West to the Valley of Esdraelon. Omri made Samaria the property of the Kings of Israel; technically not subject to the tribes and their popular gatherings, but only to the King and local authorities (Van Selms, 1988: 296) as David had done for Jerusalem. The Moabite Stone records that Moab was subjugated by Israel during the reign of Omri (something that Scripture does not mention) (Prichard, 1955, 320-321).
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A Comparison of the Chronological Data of Israel and Judah
A COMPARISON OF THE CHRONOLOGICAL DATA OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH BY EDWIN R. THIELE Berrien Springs, Michigan A comparison of the chronological data of the rulers of Israel and Judah from reign to reign reveals certain phenomena which are of the highest value in a reconstruction of Hebrew chronology. From the dis- ruption to Jehoshaphat in Judah and Jehoram in Israel such a com- parison produces the following results: The striking feature in the above tabulation is the increase in the totals of regnal years in Israel over those of Judah of one year for 186 every reign. Since the totals of regnal years in a nation employing the nonaccession-year system increase by one year for every reign over ab- solute time and over the totals of regnal years in a nation employing the accession-year system, we thus have evidence that during the above period Judah employed accession-year reckoning while in Israel the nonaccession-year system was used. It will be noticed that on this pattern the 12 years of Omri's reign have been counted from the 27th year of Asa, when he defeated Zimri and took the throne (1 Kings xvi 10, 15-18). The synchronism of 1 Kings xvi 23, of Omri's accession in Asa's 31st year, applies to the beginning of his sole reign over all Israel, after the elimination of Tibni. In the next area to be discussed mention will be made of two more instances where synchronisms are given in terms of the begin- ning of the sole reign but where lengths of reign are reckoned from the beginning of joint or overlapping reigns.
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Review of Jerome T. Walsh, Ahab: the Construction of a King (Collegeville, Mn: a Michael Glazier Book, Liturgical Press, 2006)
BOOK REVIEW REVIEW OF JEROME T. WALSH, AHAB: THE CONSTRUCTION OF A KING (COLLEGEVILLE, MN: A MICHAEL GLAZIER BOOK, LITURGICAL PRESS, 2006) Lou McNeil, Georgian Court University Jerome Walsh addresses three central questions in this study of the biblical portrait of King Ahab in I Kings 16:29 – 22:40. Walsh suggests that the pertinent questions to be answered are: How does the text itself depict Ahab? How has the text undergone change as passed from generation to generation? How has the redactional work in the texts altered the portrayal of Ahab? Walsh structures his study in three parts: the Ahab of history; the Ahab portrayed in the narrative; and the history of the texts under consideration. Excellently written, the intricacies of this study become accessible, even to the general reader, in the clarity of the outlines, summaries and lucid explan- ations. The introduction quickly summarizes the thrust of the book by providing a map of the methods used and a cursory statement of the wealth of meaning it will uncover. There is meagre evidence by which we can recreate much about the historical personage, Ahab, yet what can be assembled of the historical king is stark in its disparity to the biblical representation. Finally, Walsh advises us that the history of the texts in the hands of the redactors and their purposes will necessarily be a central theme for his study. The biblical texts that we have come to us from the deuteronomic historian and belong to a period 200 years following the events described. On the other hand, we have three records con- temporary with Ahab that offer the scant information we have of the actual king’s life.
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The Rise of the House of Omri
THE RISE OF THE HOUSE OF OMRI PATRICIA BERLYN The schism that rent the United Monarchy of David and Solomon divided the tribes of Israel into two realms: the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In Judah, the heirs of the House of David held the throne through 430 years and 19 reigns, until it was brought to an end not by the will of any Judean but by dictate of a foreign conqueror. No dynasty in Israel attained to anything like this stability and endurance. In the 210 years that the kingdom stood it also had 19 reigns, but of 9 different dynasties. Ten kings inherited the throne, and seven seized it in bloody coups, most of those military men in the royal service. Two were elected in a fashion: Jeroboam I and Omri. Jeroboam I, whom the Northern tribes chose as their first ruler, was succeeded by his son Nadab. In his second regnal year, while he was besieging the border fortress of Gibbethon that was then held by Philistines, Nadab was struck down by Baasha ben-Abijah of the tribe of Issachar (I Kg. 15:37). It is likely, though not explicitly noted, that Baasha was a military officer of high rank. He took the throne for himself, secured it by slaying every scion of the House of Jeroboam, held it for a quarter of a century, and bequeathed it to his son Elah. With fearful symmetry, Elah ben-Baasha was in his second regnal year and Israel was besieging the Philistines at Gibbethon when the King was struck down by one of his own officers.
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