personal knowledge. These facts countenance in some degree the tradition
that Jeremiah was the author of the books of Kings. But the more probable
supposition is that Ezra, after the Captivity, compiled them from
documents written perhaps by David, Solomon, Nathan, Gad, and Iddo,
and that he arranged them in the order in which they now exist.
In the threefold division of the Scriptures by the Jews, these books are
ranked among the “Prophets.” They are frequently quoted or alluded to by
our Lord and his apostles (Matthew 6:29; 12:42; Luke 4:25, 26; 10:4;
comp. 2 Kings 4:29; Mark 1:6; comp. 2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4, etc.).
The sources of the narrative are referred to (1) “the book of the acts of
Solomon” (1 Kings 11:41); (2) the “book of the chronicles of the kings of
Judah” (14:29; 15:7, 23, etc.); (3) the “book of the chronicles of the kings
of Israel” (14:19; 15:31; 16:14, 20, 27, etc.).
The date of its composition was some time between B.C. 561, the date of
the last chapter (2 Kings 25), when Jehoiachin was released from captivity
by Evil-merodach, and B.C. 538, the date of the decree of deliverance by
Cyrus.
- KINSMAN Hebrews goel, from root meaning to redeem. The goel among
the Hebrews was the nearest male blood relation alive. Certain important
obligations devolved upon him toward his next of kin. (1.) If any one from
poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the
kinsman to redeem it (Leviticus 25:25,28; Ruth 3:9, 12). He was also
required to redeem his relation who had sold himself into slavery
(Leviticus 25:48, 49).
God is the Goel of his people because he redeems them (Exodus 6:6; Isaiah
43:1; 41:14; 44:6, 22; 48:20; Psalm 103:4; Job 19:25, etc.).
(2.) The goel also was the avenger (q.v.) of blood (Numbers 35:21) in the
case of the murder of the next of kin.
- KIR a wall or fortress, a place to which Tiglath-pileser carried the Syrians
captive after he had taken the city of Damascus (2 Kings 16:9; Amos 1:5;
9:7). Isaiah (22:6), who also was contemporary with these events,
mentions it along with Elam. Some have supposed that Kir is a variant of
Cush (Susiana), on the south of Elam. - KIR-HARASETH built fortress, a city and fortress of Moab, the modern
Kerak, a small town on the brow of a steep hill about 6 miles from