1 & 2 Kings (TOTC) by Donald J. Wiseman

Author:Donald J. Wiseman [Wiseman, Donald J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783592319
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press
Published: 2008-09-18T16:00:00+00:00

D. Further history of reigns (1 Kgs 22:41–2 Kgs 10:36)

i. Jehoshaphat of Judah (1 Kgs 22:41–50)

The historian here returns to his usual form of introductory and synchronistic formulae (vv. 41–42); an appraisal of the reign—here one of those rare estimates of the king doing the right (vv. 43–45)—is based on the king’s reforms (see Additional note). Since details of his reign have been included separately (vv. 1–26; 2 Chr. 17–20; cf. Josephus, Ant. ix.1–3) they are not repeated here. The historian emphasizes Jehoshaphat’s positive action without eliminating reference to his failures. The concluding formula (vv. 45–50) is a long and frank addition (vv. 46–49).

41. The reference may be to the beginning of his sole reign (869 BC), his full reign dating from the thirty-ninth year of Asa (cf. 16:29) who reigned forty-one years (15:10). Jehoshaphat may have been influenced by his father’s works since he too had not removed high places (15:11–14)

44. The alliance (at peace) with Ahab had been sealed by the gift of his daughter Athaliah to Jehoshaphat’s son (2 Chr. 18:1). The king of Israel could refer to Ahab or Ahaziah or Joram, but the phrase may highlight the fact that Jehoshaphat was the first since Rehoboam to negotiate peace with Israel.

45–46. ‘How he warred’ (RSV; NIV military exploits) against Edom and Ammon and the judicial and military reforms of Jehoshaphat are given in 2 Chronicles 17–19. He continued the work of Asa (15:12) to remove male (cult) prostitutes (see on 14:24).

47. Edom, lost to Solomon (11:14–25), must have been regained and, placed under a commissioner subject to Judah and thus open to the exploitation of Ezion Geber (Tell Kheleifeh), a port on the Red Sea refortified at this time with a thick wall and triple gate similar to that of Megiddo (level IV A). In the Negeb other forts were now built (2 Chr. 17:12) and Beersheba refortified with a new wall (Level III).

48. The ships of Tarshish (AV, NIV mg., ‘merchantmen’ NEB, fleet of trading-ships NIV) were ocean-going traders sailing as far as Ophir, see on 9:28. That they were ‘broken up’ (MT, AV) does not necessarily imply that they were wrecked (NIV). They were constructed to implement a trade-pact with Ahaziah who had access to Phoenician skills but, according to a prophecy of Eliezar, they were never used (cf. 2 Chr. 20:35–37).

50. For Jehoram see 2 Kings 8:16–24; 2 Chronicles 21. Edom may have had a hand in denying the use of Ezion Geber as a port (POTT, p. 236).

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