The relation of Kings to Chronicles need not be dwelt on [see CHRorincLEs]. In Kings we have some things not in Chronicles—as the attempt to secure the throne by Adonijah ; David's last charge ; the deposition of Abiathar, and the execution of Joab ; the marriage of Solomon with Pharaoh's daughter ; his judgment in the case of the two harlots ; the organisation of his royal household ; his idolatries, and his enemies, etc. On the other hand, many things passed over in Kings are detailed in Chronicles—such as David's prepara tions for building the Temple ; the orders and arrangements of the Levites ; the expostulation of Azariali with Asa ; Jehoshaphat's reforming energy ; and Hezekiah's passover, etc. etc. In point of number the books of Kings give generally smaller figures than Chronicles, as Kings v. 16 comp. with 2 Chron. 18 ; Kings vii. 26 comp. with 2 Chron. iv. 5 • Kings ix. 28 comp. with 2 Chron. viii. 18; 2 Kings viii. 26 comp. with 2 Chron. xxii. 2. In the case of Jehoiachin in Kings, ten years are added to his age at his accession, 2 Kings xxiv. 8 comp. with 2 Chron. xxxvi. 9. Kings iv. 26 presents an enormous exaggeration (2 Chron. ix. 25), giving according to the present reading 4o,000 for 4000 —having D'Initi for r1V.1"1:4.
The age of the books of Kings may be inter mediate between the early books of Samuel and the later ones of Chronicles. The extraordinary handling of the books of Kings in the Septuagint has been often remarked on. There are trans positions, which only obscure the order of the narrative, some omissions, and several additions ; one especially containing sentences of some length with regard to Jeroboam. There arc also mis
renderings and translations which would seem to imply a different Hebrew reading. The matter is fully gone into by Thenius (die Bucher der Konige erleleirt ; Einleit. p. 17). We need not wonder that the books of Kings, containing the history of the covenant people, are so often referred to in the N. T. Our Lord himself alludes to Solomon's glory ; to the visit of the queen of Sheba ; to the widow of Sarepta, and Elijah's mission to her; and to Naaman the Syrian in the days of Elisha (Matt. vi. 29 ; Xii. 42 • Luke iv. 25-27). The rough robe of Elijah and his complaint, the great drought, and the resuscitation of the Shunamite's child, are also referred to (Mark i. 6 ; Rom. xi. 3 ; James v. ; Heb. xi. 35).
The 'Introductions ' referred to in the course of this article may be consulted. Modern commen tators upon 'Kings ' are scarce, and there are not many old ones ; Theodoret, Quastiones libros iii. et iv. Regnorum, Opera, vol. ; Seb. Leon hardi 'TtrowhAtara, in Libb. Reg., Erf. 1606, Lips. Oro -14 ; Seb. Schrnidii Annot. in Lib. Reg., Strasb. 1687 ; the various authors in the Critic: Serer/ ; Cornelius Lapide, Comment., Opera, vol. ii., 1718 ; Maurer, Comment. Criticus, vol. i., Lipsim 1835 ; Keil, Commentar iiber der Bucher d. Konige, Moskau 1846 ; Thenius, die Blicher d. lanige erklert, Leipzig 1849.—J. E.