RT Article
T1 The Sins of Josiah and Hezekiah: A Synchronic Reading of the Final Chapters of Kings
JF Journal for the study of the Old Testament
VO 37
IS 3
SP 349
OP 370
A1 Janzen, David 1968-
LA English
PB Sage
YR 2013
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1777015219
AB The double redaction theory of the Deuteronomistic History has its roots in the claim that there are logical discontinuities in the narrative from Manasseh to the end of 2 Kings. This article argues, however, that it is possible to see a coherent narrative in a synchronic reading of the final chapters of Kings once we recognize them as presenting a series of lessons to the Davidide in exile. Among the important lessons in 2 Kings 18–25 for Jehoiachin to learn is that, although he has received a negative evaluation from the narrative, the past sins on the parts of Josiah (for initially continuing Manasseh's sin) and Hezekiah (for initially failing to trust Yhwh to deliver Jerusalem) are ignored by Yhwh once they act rightly, and so are erased from their evaluations. It is still possible for Jehoiachin to earn an impeccable evaluation himself if he trusts Yhwh to deliver as Hezekiah eventually learned to do, and leads the nation in repentance as Josiah eventually did.
K1 Frank Moore Cross
K1 Manasseh
K1 Jehoiachin
K1 Hezekiah
K1 Josiah
K1 book of Kings (redaction of)
K1 Deuteronomistic History (redaction of)
DO 10.1177/0309089213475396