Kings in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What are the Books of Kings?
THE BOOKS OF KINGS
In the Hebrew canon they formed one book. They follow the books of Samuel, which are also called books of the Kings. Indeed, the whole story, from the beginning of Judges to the end of Kings, runs on as one unbroken narrative. First Kings takes up the Hebrew history at the time when David was old and stricken in years, b.c. 1015; Second Kings ends with the beginning of the captivity of Judah in Babylon, b.c. 586, and the burning of the temple, though notice is made of the liberation and death of Jehoiachin more than 26 years later. The two books deal especially with the theocratic promise of 2 Sam 7:12; see 1 Kgs 14:7-11; 1 Kgs 15:29; 1 Kgs 16:1-7 -- the promise that God so faithfully kept, and that points forward to Christ, King and Conqueror like David, Prince of peace, Builder of the temple of God, and enduring King -- and treat the history from the kingly side, and show the evil of schism and the worship of idols set up for political reasons, as by Solomon, 1 Kgs 11, and Jeroboam, 1 Kgs 12:26. Great stress is laid on the sin of idolatry as the breaking of the covenant with Jehovah that made Israel a peculiar people. The reign of Solomon is described, with a minute account of the glorious temple and the royal houses. The story of the revolt of the larger and more populous part of the land to form the kingdom of Israel comes next, and we are given exact knowledge, though in few words, of the idolatry of the northern kingdom, of the work of the great prophets among them -- one of the most important parts of the history -- of the frequent changes of dynasty, no less than 7, which furnished 19 kings, every one evil, during the 253 years of its existence. Captivity of the best of the land closed the history of this kingdom. The same books also show that David's royal house continued unbroken through a series of 19 kings, reigning in Jerusalem about 130 years longer, till Judah was punished for its Idolatry. The wars of the rival kingdoms are described, and the disastrous results to each of calling in foreign help -- results seen first in yielding to idolatry, and then in the uprooting of both peoples. The prosperity of a number of the pious kings of Judah is contrasted with the calamities visited on the wicked rulers of Israel. The history shows the way by which God had led his people from the time of their highest prosperity to the deepest fall, and that the only way up to the light of divine covenant favor is by the path of repentance. The books touch, of course, the history of neighboring nations, and the latest discoveries in ancient history are strikingly in agreement with the inspired record. The author cannot be identified. Ancient tradition in the Talmud names Jeremiah; some have supposed them compiled by Ezra or Baruch. The books, which were originally one, have a very marked unity of design, plan, and style, and were first divided in the Septuagint. They are in large measure a compilation from existing documents. They have always had a place in the Jewish canon. The concise narrative is illustrated, enlarged, and confirmed by the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. This history is referred to in the N.T. Luke 4:25; Acts 7:47; Rom 11:2; Jas 5:17, and modern research is continually bringing new evidence to the truth of the history. The style is quiet and simple in the main, though showing great vigor in the record of stirring events, and breaking forth occasionally into true poetic fervor.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'kings' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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