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The first and second book of Kings, originally one book, covers a consecutive history of Israel from the birth of Samuel to the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC (New American Bible, 322). Composed somewhere between 561 BC and 538 BC, the book of Kings spans a period of 453 years. Moreover, the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, left no written account like many later prophets (Boadt, 297). The happenings in their stories were mainly miracles. They were just a way to show how extraordinary the prophets actually were (Boadt, 297).
In detail, the story of Elijah begins and ends under the reign of Ahab, son of Omri. As king of Israel and Sumeria for twenty two years, Ahab ruled from 874853 BC. He worshipped the false god, Baal, and was a corrupt leader (Encarta). When Ahab dies in the last chapter of Kings, his son Ahaziah succeeds him (Roots, 6). Ahaziah was just as corrupt as his father and he ruled Israel for only one year (Roots, 6). Meanwhile, Jehosophat, son of Asa, began his reign as king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab's reign.
Ruling Judah from 870848 BC, Jehosophat made peace with the king of Israel. There are many different kings recorded in the book of Kings. Some of these kings proceeding Ahaziah include: Joram (852841), Jehu (841814), Jehoahaz (814798), Jehoash (798783), and Jeroboam II (783743) (Boadt, 297). Finally, the remaining kings of Judah following Jehosophat include: Jehoram (848841), Ahaziah (841), Queen Ahaziah (841835), Josh (835796), Ahaziah (796781), and Uzziah (781740) (Boadt, 297). Elijah lives through the reigns of Ahab and Jehosophat and Elisha lives through the remainder of the kings mentioned (Roots, 6).
The prophet, Elisha, was viewed as more involved with the political aspect of society than Elijah (Boadt, 297). In addition, Northern Israel rose and fell in 200 years. Most of this time was spent at war with its enemies. The Southern kingdom of Judah survived under one dynasty for 400 years (Boadt, 297). Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Book Of Kings King Of Israel Ahaziah
