Was an Early Edition of the Book of Kings Composed during Hezekiah's Reign?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Na'aman, Nadav
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of the Old Testament. Volume 31:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 80
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Hezekian edition of Kings -- Asa -- Ahaziah -- Jehoash -- Amaziah -- Ahaz -- Hezekiah -- Amon -- Josiah; 221
• DOI: 10.1080/09018328.2017.1301639
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0901-8328

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this article I critically examine the hypothesis that the early edition of the Book of Kings was written during the time of Hezekiah. I first analyze the histories of the kings of Judah from Ahaz to Josiah and the way their accounts helped to shape the histories of five earlier Judahite kings (Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoash, Amaziah, and Uzziah). This analysis demonstrates that the same author wrote the histories of the pre-Hezekian and post-Hezekian Judahite king—an author who operated not earlier than the time of Josiah. Hence, the early edition of Kings was written in either the late monarchic or the early exilic period; thus, the hypothesis that an early edition of Kings was written during the time of Hezekiah can no longer be upheld.