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8:32), assembled the whole people and read the book with its bless-
ings and curses ( Josh. 8:33–35). Samuel wrote a “book of kingship”
giving his regulations for kingship, read them aloud and then deposited
them (1 Sam. 10:25). Such readings are not recorded for the days
of the monarchy, but late in the monarchy a book of laws discov-
ered in the temple and validated by the prophet Huldah; it was read
and then served as authorization for new observances of Passover
(2 Kings 22). The Book of law read by Ezra validated Sukkot obser-
vance (Neh. 8) and served as the basis of communal study.2.10.2 Covenant Renewal
Since the laws were considered stipulations of the covenant between
Israel and God (at least in Deuteronomy and the prophets), reading
the law may have been part of covenant renewal ceremonies such
as those attested in Joshua 24. Since such ceremonies are not attested
for the monarchic period, it is not known how late they lasted.2.10.3 The practice of kings of issuing decrees has already been
mentioned, for example, Saul’s decree banning necromancy (1 Sam.
28:9–10).2.11 The Courts
2.11.1 Central Courts
2.11.1.1 The King
The king had jurisdiction over any matter that a citizen might bring.
People (including women) came directly to the king with petitions
on any matter, including overriding the abuse of local authorities
( Jer. 21:11–12). David’s petitions are summarized above in 2.1.3.
Other stories present petitions to the Omride dynasty:- A disguised prophet “cried out to the king” as he passed by. He
was to guard a man or forfeit his life, and the man disappeared.
The king refused his (unrecorded) request for pardon, and the
prophet then revealed that the king would lose his life because he
let Ben Hadad go (1 Kings 20:39–43). - During a siege and famine, as the king walked on the wall, a woman
“cried out, saying, ‘Save me, my lord the king!’ ” She told a hor-
rendous story about a pact with another woman to eat each other’s
babies. The king declined to intervene (2 Kings 6:25–31). - The king sat at court, listening to Gehazi relate how Elisha brought
the Shunnemite’s son back to life, when she appeared, “crying out
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