OT - Survey 10 - Introduction to the Historical Books

All content is derived from A Survey of the Old Testament by Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton, with additional insights from R.C. Sproul's Dust to Glory. Further sources referenced are listed in the reference section below.

The Deuteronomistic History

The English and Hebrew Arrangement of the Historical Books

— The English arrangement includes Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

— The Hebrew arrangement classifies Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings as the Former Prophets due to their theological focus.

The Prophetic Nature of the Former Prophets

— These books are considered prophetic because they present history through a theological lens, tying events to covenant blessings and curses.

— Prophets play a key role in these books, shaping the narrative through divine perspectives.

The Writings in the Hebrew Canon

— Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther belong to the Hebrew canon section called the Writings rather than the Former Prophets.

20th-Century Critical Analysis of the Historical Books

— Early 20th-century scholars analyzed Joshua through Kings similarly to the Pentateuch, identifying sources within the text.

— A competing theory emerged, proposing that these books were composed of smaller independent literary units, later edited into a single narrative.

Martin Noth and the Deuteronomistic History

— In 1943, Martin Noth, a professor at the University of Bonn, introduced the concept of Deuteronomistic History.

— His theory suggests that Deuteronomy through 2 Kings was a unified work, written primarily during the Exile.

— He argued that this history was crafted to reflect Deuteronomy's theology in Israel’s historical events.

— Noth’s framework remains a foundation for modern research on the historical books of the Old Testament.

Composition

— Despite the widespread acceptance of Deuteronomistic History (Deuteronomy through 2 Kings), scholars have debated when and how it was compiled.

Theories on the Compilation Timeline

— The most common view today suggests that initial editing began as early as the reign of Hezekiah (late 8th century BCE). — The first edition is believed to have been primarily shaped during Josiah’s reform in the late 7th century BCE. — A subsequent edition was likely compiled during the Exile, with certain sections added. — By 550 BCE, the work was considered virtually complete.

Variations in Theories

— Differences in scholarly theories focus primarily on the date of composition. — Debate also surrounds the number of additions made throughout its development.

Characteristics

— The Deuteronomistic History shares a unified perspective on history and theology with the book of Deuteronomy. — Israel’s history is evaluated based on loyalty to the covenant, emphasizing: — Obedience to the Law and faith in the Lord, which bring blessings and prosperity (Deuteronomy 28). — Disobedience and apostasy, which result in the curses listed in Deuteronomy.

Recurring Thematic and Stylistic Elements

— The narrative frequently relies on formalistic phrases, such as: — "The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord" (Judges). — "They walked in the ways of Jeroboam", a common condemnation of Northern Kings in Kings. — Rhetorical speeches are used to emphasize key transitions in Israel’s history, including: — Deuteronomy 4 — Joshua 23 — Judges 2:11–23 — 1 Samuel 12 — 2 Samuel 7 — 1 Kings 8 — 2 Kings 17:7–23 — These stylistic similarities reinforce the theological themes of covenant faithfulness and divine judgment throughout the historical books.

Message

— The Deuteronomist emphasizes key themes through repetition and recurring formulas, reinforcing the covenant’s role in Israel’s history.

Evaluation of Kings

— Northern Kingdom: Every king is condemned for failing to depart from the sins of Jeroboam, including Zimri, who ruled for only seven days. — Davidic Kings of Judah: Their success is measured by: — Faithfulness to David’s example — Commitment to centralized worship in Jerusalem — Efforts to eliminate apostasy

Pre-Exilic and Exilic Editions

— Pre-Exilic Edition (Time of Josiah) — Focuses on reform and centralized worship — Emphasizes faithfulness to the covenant

— Exilic Edition (Babylonian Exile) — Centers on sin and punishment, addressing the exiles’ question: — “Where did things go wrong?” — Suggests that failure began early and persisted throughout the monarchy

The Role of Prophets and Divine Warnings

— Prophets played a constant role, warning kings of impending consequences. — God’s patience and faithfulness to the covenant were fully demonstrated.

The True Central Character

— While sermons often focus on models of good or bad leadership, the true revelation is about God, not Israel’s leaders. — This history is not about Joshua, Samson, David, Elijah, or Josiah—it is ultimately a revelation of God.

Critique

— While the Deuteronomistic approach has provided valuable insights, some aspects require reassessment.

Dating and Compilation of Deuteronomy and the Historical Books

— Shared Perspective: Joshua through 2 Kings shares Deuteronomy’s theological foundation. — Dating Debate: — Many scholars link Deuteronomy to Josiah’s reform, placing the Deuteronomistic History no earlier than the 7th century BCE. — More conservative scholars accept Deuteronomy as largely the work of Moses, allowing for an earlier compilation date for the historical books. — Authorship and Editorial Involvement: — The biblical text does not attribute a single author to these historical books. — Kings references sources, suggesting editorial activity in their composition. — Editorial involvement does not conflict with inspiration, as editors could be divinely inspired, just like authors.

Distinct Literary Styles Within the Deuteronomistic History

— Although these books share a common theological perspective, each maintains a unique literary style: — Judges: Cyclical narrative structure, distinct from Kings' structured historical overview. — Joshua: Focuses on the fulfillment of the land covenant, using a report-based, analytical style with lists. — Samuel: Centers on the Covenant of Kingship, employing a more anecdotal storytelling approach. — Kings: A programmatic historical overview, emphasizing God’s patience despite Israel’s unfaithfulness.

A Broader Perspective on Compilation

— If Deuteronomy is assigned an earlier date, then: — Joshua and Judges could be independent works from the United Monarchy. — Samuel may have been written during the Divided Monarchy, possibly as early as Solomon’s reign. — Kings could have been completed and lightly edited during the Exile. — The final Deuteronomistic History could then be seen as a later editorial combination rather than a single unified authorship.

Concept of History and the Ancient Near East

— Historians analyze historical records to determine the underlying model of history assumed by different civilizations.

The Linear Model in Western Civilization

— Modern Western civilization follows a linear model, viewing history as a straight line moving from Point A (beginning) to Point Z (end). — Cause and effect are understood in strictly naturalistic terms, excluding supernatural influences.

The Cyclic and Recurrence Models in the Ancient Near East

— The Ancient Near East viewed cause and effect primarily in supernatural terms, even when natural explanations were evident. — Time was less significant, as evidenced by the absence of absolute chronology; dates were recorded by a king’s reign rather than a fixed calendar. — History was seen as cyclical, following predictable patterns, much like the regular cycle of the seasons. — The recurrence model expanded on the cyclic view, emphasizing historical patterns rather than mythical cycles. — This perspective is echoed in the modern saying: — “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Omens and Rituals in Historical Interpretation

— In the Ancient Near East, omens were used to detect patterns of historical recurrence. — It was believed that divine actions influenced history and nature, so signs were sought in: — Celestial alignments and planetary motion — Animal behavior and bird flight patterns — Configurations of sacrificed animal entrails — If omens indicated impending catastrophe, rituals such as incantations were performed to alter fate. — History and theology merged through ritual activity, as people attempted to manipulate divine will.

The Israelite View: The Covenant as the Key to History

— In contrast, Israelite monotheism eliminated the need for multiple deities influencing history. — Divination, omens, and incantations were strictly prohibited by Israelite law. — Rather than relying on rituals to influence history, Israelites sought conformity to the covenant and obedience to the law. — God was defined by His attributes, which remained constant, and He had committed Himself to the covenant’s obligations.

The Role of Recurrence in Deuteronomistic Theology

— The principle of recurrence—the idea that human actions and divine responses follow patterns—is a key theme in Deuteronomistic theology. — Examples of recurrence in Israelite history include: — The cycles in Judges, where Israel repeatedly falls into sin, is punished, repents, and is delivered. — The repeated apostasy in Kings, demonstrating Israel’s continued unfaithfulness and divine punishment. — Unlike the Western secular view, Israelite history was inherently theological, with historical events understood through the lens of covenant faithfulness or disobedience.

Purpose of History Writing in Israel and the Ancient Near East

— The way history is recorded reflects the underlying concept of history in a society.

Western Approaches to Historiography

— In Western societies, history is written for various reasons: — Education: Teaching about past events. — Learning from experience: Drawing lessons from historical mistakes or successes. — Journalism: Reporting events for informational purposes, often analyzing cause and effect. — Opinion and advocacy: Some historical narratives aim to defend principles or promote viewpoints. — The primary focus in Western historiography is accuracy, aiming to record what actually happened.

Historiography in the Ancient Near East

— The ancient Near East had different motives for recording history: — Propaganda: Historical records often served the interests of those in power. — Royal inscriptions: Kings used history as a self-serving tool, exaggerating achievements, ignoring failures, and even taking credit for predecessors' successes. — Accuracy was not the priority; the goal was to enhance power and prestige. — Because of this bias, ancient Near Eastern historical records must be carefully interpreted to reconstruct actual events.

Israelite Historiography: Theology Over Propaganda

— Some scholars argue that Israel’s historical records also served dynastic legitimation, especially regarding David’s divine endorsement in 2 Samuel 7. — However, unlike Near Eastern propaganda, Israel’s historiography does not overly glorify its kings: — David’s faults are just as visible as his achievements, making 2 Samuel an ineffective propaganda tool. — The focus of Israelite history is not the king but God’s actions in history.

The Purpose of Biblical Historical Literature

— The primary goal of biblical historiography is to show how God has acted in history to fulfill His covenant promises. — The theological motivation of Israelite history includes: — Didactic instruction: Teaching about God’s nature by recording His actions. — Divine intervention: Israel’s God is portrayed as actively shaping history, not just maintaining the status quo. — While the covenant affirms Israel’s special status, its literature cannot be considered propaganda, as it frequently highlights Israel’s failures and unfaithfulness.

God’s Intervention and the Unique Scope of Deuteronomistic History

— Ancient Near Eastern gods were believed to intervene in history, but only to maintain stability. — In contrast, Israel’s God intervenes to: — Achieve new, never-before-realized goals. — Punish His people when necessary. — Execute a single divine plan that unfolds throughout history. — Unlike Near Eastern historical records, Deuteronomistic History spans a vast timeline, showing God’s long-term plan and interventions rather than just celebrating a king’s victories.

Understanding Historical Literature

— The historical books of the Old Testament must be understood as a strategic part of God’s self-revelation.

The Purpose of Biblical History: God's Self-Revelation

— A modern tendency is to focus on individual role models from biblical narratives. — In contrast, the true intention of biblical history is to reveal knowledge of God. — This self-revelation is not primarily found in individual stories but in: — Patterns of history repeated across generations. — Recurring cycles that demonstrate God’s sovereignty over His covenant people.

Reading Biblical Narratives in Context

— Some readers look for new insights and personal lessons from figures like Asa or Saul. — However, rather than focusing on individual figures, the text emphasizes overarching patterns, themes, and motives. — These elements work together to form a historical tapestry that reveals: — God’s sovereignty. — His covenant faithfulness throughout Israel’s history.

The Tapestry Analogy: Seeing the Bigger Picture

— Each narrative is like a single thread in a grand tapestry. — A thread alone (an individual story) has little significance by itself. — The true value of each thread lies in how it contributes to the overall design. — Likewise, each biblical narrative must be: — Understood within its broader context. — Viewed with God as the central focus. — As each book is studied in turn, the tapestry of God’s revelation is unveiled

Tips for Reading Old Testament Historical Literature

— View the Books as Theological, Not Just Historical — The primary purpose of these books is theological, revealing God’s nature and covenant, rather than just recording historical events.

— Focus on God and His Covenant — The main subject of the Old Testament historical books is God and His covenant, not individual people or events.

— Understand Cause and Effect in Theological Terms — History is presented with God as the central cause, rather than focusing solely on human actions. — Events unfold as part of God’s divine plan, emphasizing His role in shaping history.

References

Hill, A. E., & Walton, J. H. (2009), A survey of the Old Testament (3rd ed.). Zondervan Academic.