In times of emergency they dispensed with usual modes of procedure, and assumed almost unlimited authority with which no subject in art ordinary government can safely be intrusted, exe cuting the law with a summary promptness which rendered opposition impossible or at least unavail ing They felt their Divine commission. and that they were the custodians of the rights of Jehovah. At the same time they' protected the interests of the nation, and, could we divest the term of its association with unprincipled turbulence and cedi tion, we would, like Winer, style them the dema gogues of Israel (Winer, Realzvi;r1. art. Prophet).
The Divine prerogative was to them a vested right, guarded with a sacred jealousy from royal usurpation or popular invasion ; and the interests of the people were as religiously protected against encroachments, too easily made under a form of government which had not the safeguard of popu lar representation or aristocratic privilege. The priesthood was in many instances, though there are some illustrious exceptionsonerdy the zreature of the crown, and therefore it became the prophet enthum. to assert its dignity and stand forth in the majestic insignia of an embassy from heaven.
(6) Evidence as to Method, Etc. The truth of these sentiments, as to the method, design, and composition of the books of Kings, is confirmed by ample evidence.
(r) Large space is occupied with the building of the Temple—the palace of the Divine Pro tector—his throne in it being above the mercy seat and between the cherubim (ch. v-viii). Care is taken to record the miraculous phenomenon of the descent of the Shekinah (ch. viii :io). The prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the house is full of theocratic views and aspirations.
(2) Reference is often made to the Mosaic Law with its provisions; and allusions to the earlier history of the people frequently occur 0 Kings ii :3 ; :14 ; vi :r r, 12; V111:58, etc.; 2 Kings x :31 ; xiv :6 ; xvii :13, 15, 37 ; xviii :4-6 ; xxi :1-8). Allusions to the Mosaic code are found more fre quently toward the end of the second book, when the kingdom was drawing near its termination, as if to account for its decay and approaching fate.
(3) Phrases expressive of Divine interference are frequently introduced (r Kings xi:3r ; xii: 15; xiii :r, 2, 9 ; and xx :13, etc.).
(4) Prophetic interposition is a very prominent theme of record. It fills the vivid foreground of the historical picture. Nathan was occupied
in the succession of Solomon 0 Kings i :45) ; Ahijah was concerned in the revolt (xi :29-4o). Shemaiah disbanded the troops which Rehoboam had mustered (xii:2r). Ahijah predicted the ruin of Jeroboam, whose elevation he had promoted (xiv :7). Jehu, the prophet, doomed the house of Baasha (xvi:r). The reign of Ahab and Ahaziah is marked by the bold, rapid, mysterious movements of Elijah. Under Ahab occurs the prediction of Micaiah (xxii :8). The actions and oracles of Elisha form the marvelous topics of narration under several reigns. The agency of Isaiah is also recognized (2 Kings xix :20 ; xx: 16). Besides r Kings xiii presents another in stance of prophetic operation; and in xx :35, the oracle of an unknown prophet is also rehearsed. Huldah, the prophetess, was an important person age under the government of Josiah (2 Kings xxii :4). Care is also taken to report the ful fillment of striking prophecies, in the usual phrase, 'according to the word of the Lord' (r Kings xii :15 ; xv :29 ; xvi :12 ; 2 Kings xxiii :15-18 ; ix : 36; xxiv :2). So, too, the Old Syriac version prefixes, 'Here follows the book of the kings who flourished among the ancient people; and in this is also exhibited the history of the prophets who flourished during their times.' (5) Theocratic influence is recognized both in the disposition and succession of kings (r Kings xiii :33; xv :4, 5, 29, 3o; 2 Kings xi :17, etc.). Com pare on the whole of this view Havernick, Ein leit. sec. 168; Jahn, Introduct. sec. 46; Gesenius, Ueber les. vol. i, p. 934. It is thus apparent that the object of the author of the Books of Kings was, to describe the history of the kingdoms, especially in connection with the theocratic element.
(7) Authorship. The authorship and age of this historical treatise may admit of several sup positions. Whatever were the original sources, the books are evidently the composition of one writer. The style is generally uniform through out. The same forms of expression are used to denote the same thing, e. g. the male sex (r Kings xiv :ro, etc.) ; the death of a king (r Kings xi: 43, etc.) ; modes of allusion to the law (I Kings xi :13 ;) ; fidelity to Jehovah (r Kings viii: 53, etc.; De Wette, Einleit, sec. 184, a; Havernick; Einleit. sec. 171). Similar idioms are ever recur ring, so as to produce a uniformity of style (Illonotonie der Darstellung, Havernick, /. c.).