History of the Old Testament The Divided Monarchy in the 9th Century 1 Kings 12-22; 2 Chronicles 10-20.

History of the Old Testament

The Divided Monarchy

in the 9th Century

1 Kings 12-22; 2 Chronicles 10-20

The Monarchy Divides(1 Kings 12-14; 2 Chronicles 10-12)

Rehoboam to the Throneno immediate rivals to challenge

Rehoboam’s ascension to throneJeroboam (former overseer of forced

labor), returned (cf.. 1 Kg. 11:26-40).

Jeroboam’s Request: relief! from heavy taxation & forced labor

Rehoboam’s Taunt: 1 Kg. 12:1-19; 2 Chr. 10

The Secession: control the crowd! sent current master of forced labor but …

“To your tents, O Israel!”

only Judah remained loyal to RehoboamRehoboam attempts to invade

Shemaiah stopped him: divine judgment

(1 Kg. 12:20-24; 2 Chr. 11:1-4; cf. 1 Kg. 11:29-33)

Benjamites divided (1 Kg. 12:20): between Judah vs. northern tribes of secession

Jeroboam Crowned

only Judah remained loyal to RehoboamRehoboam attempts to invade

Shemaiah stopped him: divine judgment

(1 Kg. 12:20-24; 2 Chr. 11:1-4; cf. 1 Kg. 11:29-33)

Benjamites divided (1 Kg. 12:20): between Judah vs. northern tribes of secession

Jeroboam Crowned

Major Religious Repercussions

2 Rival Shrines Established: Dan, in use

since the Tribal League ... and ...

Bethel, ancient holy place (Jacob’s dream) cf. Ge. 29)

2 Rival Shrines Established: Dan, in use

since the Tribal League ... and ...

Bethel, ancient holy place (Jacob’s dream) cf. Ge. 29)

Northern Religious Syncretism (1 Kg. 12:25-33)

religious syncretism rejected God's covenant w/David

(1 Kg. 12:25-33)

Prophet’s Prediction: doom upon Jeroboam's Bethel shrine (1 Kg. 13; 2 Kg. 23:15-18)

Ahijah’s Pronouncement: eventual exile to Mesopotamia, upon the dynasty of Jeroboam

Canaanite paganism (1 Kg. 14:1-20)

Rehoboam Fortifies Defense Cities

Levites & priests from the north flee to the south (2 Chr. 11:5-23)

Early on: faithful to YahwehLater: snare of syncretism

Shishak of Egypt: invades Judah from the south, creating a vassal state (1 Kg. 14:21-31; 2 Chr. 12)

Troubled Early 9th Century(1 Kings 15-16; 2 Chronicles 13-16)

Evaluation of the Kings: South “Judah”

North “Israel” or “Ephraim”

SouthCompared to David & Jeroboam

North All were evil without exception; followed

Jeroboam’s syncretism

South: remained loyal to the covenant

& to the dynasty of David

North: rejected rejected the covenant of David; saw the

rise & fall of 8 dynasties

2 Histories of National Israel

First: Samuel and Kings

Second: Chronicles

First: follows both north & south; evaluates in light of the code of Deuteronomy

Second: follows only the south

2 Histories of National Israel

First: faults of kings

Second: good qualities plays down their sin concerned w/the temple in Jerusalem, its

officials, and its place in the history of the southern kingdom

Kings of Judah: a Mixed Bag(1 Kg. 15:1-24; 2 Chr. 15-16)

Abijah: continued in Rehoboam's sins,

though successfully weakened northern nation by warring under the banner of religious purity

Asa (son): attempted reforms, not fullyeventually apathetic toward God

(1 Kg. 15:1-24; 2 Chr. 15-16).

Kings of Israel: a Royal Mess (1 Kg. 15:25--16:34)

Nadab (Jeroboam's son):assassinated by Baasha.

Elah (Baasha's son): assassinated by Zimri, seven-days suicide

Small civil war: Tibni & OmriOmri, the new king, succeeded by his son Ahab

(1 Kg. 15:25--16:34)

Elijah & the Omri Dynasty(1 Kings 17-22; 2 Chr. 18)

Floodgates of Religious SyncretismViolation of the Deuteronomic Code:

Ahab, 2nd king: floodgates of religious syncretism opened wide

in open & flagrant violation of the Deuteronomic code

TheLORD

is my GodElijah

Elijah’s Confrontation ... a la Moses & Pharaoh

Confrontation #1 (1 Kg. 17) challenged the nation with a

3-yr drought God preserved his life . . .

by ravens by a widow in Syria

Confrontation #2 (1 Kg. 18)challenged Ahab & Canaanite prophets at

Mt. Carmel to a divine contestdeity who answered by fire God!!prayed, calling fire out of heaven to

consume the sacrifice executed all the false prophets

Confrontation #3 (1 Kg. 19) Elijah fled to Mt. Horeb (Sinai) to touch

the very roots of his Deuteronomic faith.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ...

Ahab: cont’d violating Deuteronomic code-requirements of holy war (1 Kg. 20)

Jezebel: stole a free Israelite's property murdered him dynastic death sentence (1 Kg. 21)

historian's evaluation:There was never a man like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife (1 Kg. 21:25).

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ...

Ahab: cont’d violating Deuteronomic code-requirements of holy war (1 Kg. 20)

Jezebel: annexed a free Israelite's property after having him murdered dynastic death sentence (1 Kg. 21)

historian's evaluation:There was never a man like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife (1 Kg. 21:25).

Reforms of Jehoshaphat(1 Kg. 22:41-53; 2 Chr. 17, 19-20)

Reformsattempted to continue reforms initiated by Asa...

sent teaching priests into Judah to explain the Torah (1 Kg. 22:41-50; 2 Chr. 17)

appointed magistrates to judge civil cases in accord with the Torah (2 Chr. 19)

sought Yahweh re Moab and Ammon in the ancient manner of holy war. God gave victory (2 Chr. 20)

Not Far Enough (2 Chr. 19:1-2; 20:35-37)

commendation marredcensured (2xs) for making alliances

with northern Israel, a spiritually bankrupt nation