Two Nations Under God The Reign Of Solomon And The Rise Of Jeroboam

A comprehensive treatment of the history and components of Kings represents a departure from standard single-authored commentaries on it. Focusing on composition, sources, literary techniques, peoples and characters in the text, and on later transmission and reception of it affords students of the Books with a new resource, and sound bibliography.

Joseph examines the narrative techniques used in the Deuteronomistic History to portray Israels kings. While David is constructed as a model of adherence to the covenant, Jeroboam is constructed as the ideal opposite; other kings are characterized along one or the other of these two models. The narrative functions didactically, instructing kings and the people of Judah regarding the consequences of disobedience. Joseph identifies differences between pre-exilic and exilic redactions in the Deuteronomistic History, offering a deepened understanding of the worldview and theology of this important biblical work.

This book explores the characterization of Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11-14, tracing the rise and fall of this notorious figure. Close analysis of the Hebrew text reveals a literary achievement of great subtlety and suggests the arrival of Jeroboam's kingship can be read as a direct response to scandalous activity within the Solomonic empire.

The figure of King Solomon is central to our understanding of the history of Israel and Judah. This volume of collected articles brings the reader up-to-date with the latest scholarship in the field. The work consists of twenty-four chapters and provides important studies in the historical approach to Solomon and to 10th century B.C.E. Judah and Israel with archaeological surveys of the neighboring regions, sociological surveys, and literary readings of the biblical texts. With suggestions for further research and indexes.