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 Protector— his throne in it being above the mercy-seat and be tween the cherubim (ch. v.-viii.) Care is taken to record the miraculous phenomenon of the descent of the Shekinah (ch. viii. ro). The prayer of Solomon at thc 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 (r Kings 3 ; 14 ; vi. 1, 12 ; Yiii. 56, ete. ; 2 Kings x.
31 ; xiv. 6 ; xvii. r3, 15, 37 ; xviii. 4-6 ; xxi. 1-8). Allusions to the Al osaic 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 (1 Kings xi. 31 ; 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). She maiah disbanded the troops which Rehoboam had mustered (xii. 21-24). Ahijah predicted the min of Jeroboam, whose elevation he had promoted (xiv. 5-16). Jehu the prophet doomed the house of Baasha (xvi. r). The reign of Ahab and Ahaziah is marked by the bold, rapid, mysterious move ments of Elijah. Under Ahab occurs the predic tion of Micaiah (xxii. 8). The actions and oracles of Elisha form the marvellous topics of narmtion under several reigns. The agency of Isaiah is also recognised (2 Kings XiX. 20 ; XX. 16). Be sides Kings xiii. presents another instance of prophetic operation ; and in xx. 35, the oracle of an unknown prophet is also rehearsed. Huldah the prophetess was an important personage under the government of Josiah (2 Kings xxii. 14). Care is also taken to report the fulfilment of striking prophecies, often in the phrase, according to the word of the Lord' (1 Kings xii. is ; xv. 29 ; XVi. 12 ; 2 Kings ix. 36 ; xxiii. 15-18 ; xxiv. 2). Thus, the °Id Syriac version prefixes, Here fol lows 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 recognised both in the deposition and succession of kings (1 Kings xiii.
33 : xv. 4, 5, 29, 30 ; 2 Kings xi. i7, etc.) Com pare on the whole of this view Havernick, Einleit., sec. 168 ; Jahn, infroduct., sec. 46 ; Gesenius, Ueber yes., vol. p. 934 ; Keil, Einkit., SeC. 5 6 ; Stahelin, Sfiec. Einleit., p. 124. It is thus apparent that the object of the author of the books of Kings was to describe the history of the kingdoms, espe cially in connection with the theocratic element. This design accounts for what de Wette sec. 185) characteristically terms der steife firophe tische prapnatismus, and for the frequent myths which this writer and others find in these books.
These truths are plainly developed in the annals of the royal succession of the northern and larger kingdom of Israel. One son only of Jeroboam died a natural death, the rest were given over to the dogs and birds. His successor Nadab fell by the hand of Baasha, of the house of Issachar,' and Elah the son of Baasha was assassinated by Zintri, who put to death also his kinsfolk and friends.' After a reign of a few days, Zimri, to avoid the vengeance of Omri his rival, burned the king's house over him with fire and died.' Omri triumphed over his competitor Tibni, and did worse than all that were before him.' Ahab his son sold himself to work wickedness,' and fell in ignoble disguise at Ramoth-Gilead. Jehu extirpated the house of Ahab ; Jehoahaz was a vassal of Hamel, though Jehoash and the second Jeroboam were somevvhat more prosperous. But Jeroboam's son Zachariah was murdered by Shallum, and Shal lum, after a month's reign, was in turn murdered by Menahem. Menahem bribed off the Assyrian king, and his son Pekahiah had reigned but two years when he was slain by Pekah, who soon met the same fate from Hoshea, the last of the kings. How could a country prosper under a government so unsettled, and of which so many of its heads were crowned assassins and usurpers ? And all this though it was the scene of the labours of Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Hosea, and Amos. In the other, or the kingdom of Judah, seveml of its sovereigns walked in the ways of David, and their prosperous reigns are joyously recorded. Jeho shaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, are specially noted; and while several of the worse monarchs were assassinated, the succession still remained in the house of David. But the idolatries of Solomon are not overlooked any more than those of Jeroboam, and the book which describes the glory of the temple tells also of its overthrow.