Temple & Troubles 1 & 2 Kings The Ecstasy & Agony of the Monarchy.

Temple & Troubles

1 & 2 Kings

The Ecstasy & Agony of the Monarchy

Introductory Notes 1 & 2 Kings are a literary continuation of 1 & 2 Samuel (our

divisions based on length of a text possible on each of 4 scrolls) There is a large focus on Solomon & the building of the Temple

(the residence of Israel’s true king) Jeroboam is Solomon’s COO & Director of Building Projects The Kingdom becomes divided, but never truly separated David’s family dynasty continue to serve in “Judah” Jeroboam builds centers of worship in Bethel & Dan to

consolidate his kingdom All monarchs & reigns are evaluated by fidelity to the Covenant

(see 2 Kings 17) The major external threats are cause by Assyria (9th-8th

centuries) & Babylon (7th-6th centuries) Judah’s major “Reformer Kings” are Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash,

Hezekiah & Josiah

1 & 2 Kings: Literary Development Solomon’s Big Beginnings (1 Kings 1-11)

Seeking Wisdom Consolidating the Kingdom Spreading Fame Building Projects, especially the Temple Folly & Demise

Negotiating a Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12-16) Rehoboam’s Folly Jeroboam’s Strategies Dances of War & Divine initiatives toward Consensus

Shifting Leadership: The Times of Elijah (“My God Is Yahweh”) & Elisha (“My God Is Salvation”) (1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 8) Elijah vs. Ahab & Jezebel (showdown at Carmel; depression at Horeb) Elisha’s many miracles

The Demise of Israel & Revival in Judah (2 Kings 9-17) Renewal under Hezekiah & Josiah, but a nasty end to it all (2

Kings 18-25)

Solomon’s Temple

Solomon’s Temple

Solomon’s Temple

“Kings” vs. “Chronicles”

Point of View: Kingdom as a whole, though divided

Probably written early in exile to explain captivity

Highlights role of kings In the Hebrew Bible

“Kings” is included in the “Prophets”

Point of View: Emphasis on Judah and revival

Probably written in restoration to explain covenant faithfulness

Highlights role of priests In the Hebrew Bible

“Chronicles” is included in the “Writings”

Chain of Leadership

Point Leadership for the Covenant Community moved from person/group to group depending on faithfulness & calling: Moses – Original leader, mediator of Sinai Covenant Joshua – Moses’ clear successor, conquest &

settlement leader Elders – Heads of clans who had served under

Joshua Judges – Unique and divinely appointed deliverers in

Israel’s dark period Kings – Monarch who were to serve as visible regents

on behalf of Yahweh Prophets – Divinely appointed spokesperson’s

communicating Covenant values in changing times

The Prophets: A Changing Role

10th – 9th Centuries: Royal Advisors Samuel, Nathan, Ahijah

8th Century: Loyal Opposition Amos, Jonah, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah

7th Century: Doomsayers Jeremiah, Habakkuk

6th Century (Exilic): Theodicy & Restoration Eschatology Ezekiel, Obadiah, Daniel

5th Century (Post-Exilic): Apocalyptic Moralists & Cheerleaders: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Joel

The Nations of Israel’s World

Egypt Oldest continuous civilization Former Slave Masters Only significant power to the south Not overly aggressive militarily, but wished to control

Canaan as a buffer zone against Mesopotamian expansionist nations

Sometimes viewed by Judah as an ally Prophetic message: a “splintered” rod (lean on it like a

walking stick and it will cut your hand)

The Nations of Israel’s World

Syria (also known as Aram) Small nation north of Israel Capital City – Damascus Tended to be a restless neighbor, sometimes

harassing Israel, but later, when Assyria threatened, seeking an alliance with Israel against the larger power

Destroyed (along with Israel) by Assyria in its expansionist campaigns

The Nations of Israel’s World

Assyria Major power of northern Mesopotamia Capital City – first Asshur, then Nineveh Grandly expansionist Fiercely aggressive and cruel in battle Conquering policy: destroy, then deport and mix up

leftovers to ensure no possibility of rebellion Responsible for the demise of Israel in 722 B.C. Defeated by its eastern province Babylon in 612 B.C.

in its own expansionist campaigns

The Nations of Israel’s World

Babylon Major power of eastern Mesopotamia Capital City – Babylon (built in great splendor by

Nebuchadnezzar as an act of devotion to Marduk) Proud of its culture, which it sought to export Strategically successful in battle Conquering policy: retool conquered peoples as

vassal provinces; if prone to rebellion, destroy homeland and resettle the rest into its cultural mosaic

Responsible for the conquest & deportation/exile of Judah (606/597/586 B.C.)

Defeated by its eastern neighbor Medo-Persia in 529 B.C. in its own expansionist campaigns

The Nations of Israel’s World

Medo-Persia Major power north of India Culture shaped by Zoroastrian religion, which it

sought to export Strategically successful in battle Conquering policy: treat conquered groups with mercy

and return displaced peoples to their homelands, assimilating all into the larger empire

Responsible for the restoration of Judah (538 B.C.) Carried on an extensive assault on Greece primarily

over farmlands of western Asia Minor. Two major unsuccessful campaigns (490 & 480 B.C.) resulted ultimately in Greek retaliation under Alexander the Great

Remembering Covenant Purpose

Promise to Abram (Genesis 12): through you all the nations of the earth will be blessed

Literary Development of Genesis: Yahweh creates a covenant community on a mission to remind the world that the Creator God still exists, still matters

Promised Land: located at the crossroads of civilizations in the perfect spot to be a witness to the nations

An Interesting Comparison 1050 King Saul 1010 King David 970 King Solomon 958 The Temple 930 Split Kingdom 722 Israel Destroyed 586 Captivity of

Judah 586-537 Exile

604 Lao Tzu born (Taoism) 599 Mahariva born

(Jainism) 590-550 “Upanishads”

written (Hinduism) 565 (?) Zarathustra born

(Zoroastrianism) 563 The Buddha born 551 Confucius born 470 Socrates born

Times of Profound Religious Significance for the Entire World Karl Jung called this period the “Axial Age”

for world religious identity Karen Armstrong called it The Great

Transformation While the waiting world was seeking truth,

perspective, worldview, “God,” Israel was losing its ability to communicate, and giving up its distinctive missional message!