This article argues that the Deuteronomistic History (DH) was first composed during
the reign of Josiah and then revised by the addition of limitedamounts of more
pessimistic material in the early exile. The argument ofintense thematic dissonance
is supported by a number of confirmatory observations. The interests of DH are
pre-exilic and culminate in the reforms of Josiah. Many signals indicate a change of
authorship near theend of 2 Kings. Recognizing the fact of double redaction leads to
a proper understanding of the purpose and theology of DH.
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