Exodus in Kings
Amos Frisch has a very good article in the JSOT (2000) where he examines the allusions to the Exodus in 1 Kings 1-14. There are many excellent and fruitful insights here:
1) Hadad the Edomite lives through an exodus story, and is a kind of Moses figure (1 Kings 11).
2) Solomon is described as a Pharaoh in 1 Kings 12: especially 12:4 (compare Exod 1:14; 6:9; Dt 26:6).
3) Jeroboam is a figure of “Mosaic proportions,” and Frisch notes that the name Jeroboam echoes the phrase “the people multipled” in Exodus 1:20.
4) Jeroboam’s golden calves are obviously connection to Aaron’s calf, in multiple ways.
5) Rehoboam experiences a “reverse exodus,” with an actual Pharaoh invading and plundering Judah as Israel once plundered the Egyptians.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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