Prophets, Royal Legitimacy and War in Ancient Israel | Izabela Ephal-Jaruzelska

This study explores the presentation of the political role of the prophets of the Northern Kingdom in 1 and 2 Kings. Primary focus is on prophetic involvement in the legitimacy of the monarchs and their military operations. The author argues that the composition of these narratives is influenced by circles of prophetic disciples interested in elevating the political significance of their prophet-masters. The perspectives produced by their interests are compared with those that appear in the oracles of Hosea, Deuteronomistic speeches, and in ancient Near Eastern sources. Contents: I Methodological Introduction 1 Sociological Tools 2 Royal Succession in the Kingdom of Israel 3 Sources; II Legitimisation of Royal Power 1 Prophetic Stories [Ahijah of Shiloh and Jeroboam Son of Nebat; Prophets vs Jehu; Elisha & Hazael; Legitimisation of Kings in the Prophecy of the Ancient Near East; Kings' Legitimacy in Prophetic Stories: Relevance to Sociological Theory] 2 Deuteronomistic Discourse [Baasha's Usurpation and Rejection; Jeroboam's Condemnation; Deuteronomist's Literary Expression of Royal Legitimacy; Deuteronomistic Formula of Dynasty Annihilation; Foreign Worship & Loss of Legitimacy; Limitations of Royal Legitimacy; Sociological Relevance] 3 Hosea [Condemnation of Jehu's Coup; Contemporary Revolts; Illegitimacy of Rulers and Their Apparatus; Reasons for the Illegitimacy of Kings & Their Apparatus]; III Royal Military Activity 1 Prophetic Stories [Siege of Samaria & the Battle at Aphek (1 Kgs. 20:1-43); Micaiah and the 400 Prophets in the Ramoth-gilead Campaign (1 Kgs. 22:1-38); Elisha & Campaign Against Moab (2 Kgs. 3:4-27); Elisha in Dothan (2 Kgs. 6:8-23); Samaria's Siege & Deliverance (2 Kgs. 6:24-7:20); Battle at Aphek (2 Kgs. 13:14-25); Biblical Prophets vs Non-biblical Prophets in Military Campaigns; Prophetic Circles] 2 Hosea [Vain Trust in Military Resources; Concept of YHWH's Wrath; YHWH as the Only Saviour; Hosea vs Prophetic Stories]; Index of Sources/Names