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The Composition of the Elijah-Elisha Stories and the Deuteronomistic History

Kapfenburgstr. 28/1, 73432 Aalen, Germany

This article argues that the development of the text within 1 Kgs 16.29- 2 Kgs 10.36 can be described in four major stages. First, the Deuteronomistic History—which was composed shortly after 562 BCE—contained only three of the Elijah-Elisha stories: the narratives about Naboth’s vineyard, Ahaziah’s death and the story of Jehu’s coup. By means of the epoch from Ahab to Jehu the Deuteronomists demonstrated the reliability of the word of God throughout history. Further, they embodied the theme ‘Baal worship—cultic reform’ in the history of the Northern Kingdom. Second, shortly after the narratives about the Omride wars were added and a new theme introduced: the attitude of the king towards the word of the prophets determines the fate of Israel. Third, in early post-exilic times, 1 Kings 17-18 was added to demonstrate the possibility of a new life in community with God after the time of judgment. Fourth, in the fifth century, 1 Kgs 19.1-18 and the remaining Elisha stories were inserted to give prophecy a legitimate foundation in the history of Israel.

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