The books of Kings contain the history from David’s death and Solomon’s accession to the
destruction of the kingdom of Judah and the desolation of Jerusalem, with a supplemental notice
of an event that occurred after an interval of twenty-six years—viz., the liberation of Jehoiachin
from his prison at Babylon—and a still further extension to Jehoiachin’s death, the time of which
is not known, but which was probably not long after his liberation. The history therefore comprehends
the whole time of the Israelitish monarchy, exclusive of the reigns of Saul and David. As regards
the affairs of foreign nations and the relation of Israel to them, the historical notices in these books,
though in the earlier times scanty, are most valuable, and in striking accord with the latest additions
to our knowledge of contemporary profane history. A most important aid to a right understanding
of the history in these books, and to the filling up of its outline, is to be found in the prophets, and
especially in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Time when written.—They were undoubtedly written during the
period of the captivity, probably after the twenty-sixth year. Authorship.—As regards the authorship
of the books, but little difficulty presents itself. The Jewish tradition which ascribes them to Jeremiah
is borne out by the strongest internal evidence, in addition to that of the language. Sources of
information.—There was a regular series of state annals for both the kingdom of Judah and that of
Israel, which embraced the whole time comprehended in the books of Kings, or at least to the end
of the reign of Jehoiakim. (2 Kings 24:5) These annals are constantly cited by name as “the book
of the acts of Solomon,” (1 Kings 11:41) and after Solomon “the book of the Chronicles of the
Kings of Judah” or “Israel,” e.g. (1 Kings 14:29; 15:7; 16:5,14,20; 2 Kings 10:34; 24:5) etc.; and
it is manifest that the author of Kings had them both before him while he drew up his history, in
which the reigns of the two kingdoms are harmonized and these annals constantly appealed to. But
in addition to these national annals, there, were also extant, at the time that the books of Kings were
compiled, separate works of the several prophets who had lived in Judah and Israel.
Authority.—Their canonical authority having never been disputed, it is needless to bring forward
the testimonies to their authenticity which may be found in Josephus, Eusebius, jerome, Augustine,
etc. They are reckoned among the prophets, in the threefold division of the Holy Scriptures; a
position in accordance with the supposition that they were compiled by Jeremiah, and contain the
narratives of the different prophets in succession. They are frequently cited by our Lord and by the
apostles.
Kir
(fortress) is mentioned by Amos, (Amos 9:7) as the land from which the Syrians (Aramaeans)
were once “brought up;” i.e. apparently as the country where they had dwelt before migrating to
the region north of Palestine. (A difference of opinion exists in regard to the position of Kir, since
some suppose it to be identical with Carma, a city of Media, in the south, on the river Mardus;
others place it in Armenia, on the river Kar.—ED.)
Kir Of Moab
(fortress of Moab), one of the two chief strongholds of Moab, the other being Ar of Moab. The
name occurs only in (Isaiah 15:1) though the place is probably referred to under the names of
Kir-heres, Kir-harseth, etc. It is almost identical with the name Kerak, by which the site of an
important city in a high and very strong position at the southeast of the Dead Sea is known at this
day. Its situation is truly remarkable. It is built upon the top of a steep hill, surrounded by a deep
and narrow valley, which again is completely enclosed by mountains rising higher than the town
and overlooking it on all sides.
Kirharaseth
frankie
(Frankie)
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