The Deuteronomist and Voluntary Servitude To Foreign Powers

Abstract

There is a remarkable critical approach on the part of the deuteronomistic authors of the books of Kings (Dtr¹ and Dtr²) towards the rulers in whose time Israel/Judah voluntarily became vassal to foreign powers. These rulers are Menahem and Ahaz whose reigns marked the beginning of Israel's and Judah's servitude to Assyria, and Jehoiakim, whose reign marked the beginning of Judah's vassaldom to Egypt and Babylonia. The critical attitude toward the three kings is expressed by a combination of open and hidden polemic. In marked contrast to these kings stands Hezekiah, who rebelled against Assyria and is treated favourably by the historians. The stand of the deuteronomistic historians reflects a kind of 'national' ideology which deeply influenced their depiction of all four kings.