Explore our collection of theological essays, biblical studies, and reflections on faith and culture.
The chronology of the Kings of Judah and Israel can be divided into three periods with clearly defined boundaries. The first period begins with the death of Solomon and the accessions of Rehoboam in the south (Judah) and Jeroboam in the north (Israel). It ends with the deaths of Ahaziah…
Most modern people regard the arts as essentially decorative. They are hardly very important, as compared to business, politics, or religion. Yet, from a Biblical point of view, the arts lie close to the heart of human life. The universe that God created is itself an artistic masterpiece by the…
Before we move into a detailed survey of the history and chronology of the kings of Israel and Judah, let us review the chronological information that leads from creation to the kingdom. This will be helpful both to new readers of these essays, and a reminder for those who have…
We have completed our overall survey of Biblical chronology, and now turn to a detailed examination of the Biblical information regarding the chronology of Israel’s kings. The first piece of chronological information we have regarding Israel’s kings is very cryptic, and it serves as an guide to the interpretation of…
Jonathan Z. Smith, To Take Place: Toward Theory in Ritual (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987). Reviewed by Peter J. Leithart. The philosophes of the 18th century often attacked Christendom using the tools of anthropology and comparative religion. Rousseau contrasted the idyllic equality of primitive, natural peoples with the bondage…
Valerie I. J. Flint, The Rise of Magic in Early Medieval Europe (Princeton University Press, 1991). Reviewed by Peter J. Leithart. Valerie I. J. Flint, Professor of History at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, is refreshingly candid about her reasons for undertaking a study of The Rise of Magic…
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Based on 1 Kings 3:1-3, Solomon is often criticized by commentators for a) worshiping at high places and b) failing to get the temple, palace, and city wall completed in a timely fashion. I have defended Solomon’s worship at the high places on a couple of grounds: High places are…
Another wooden, overly literal translation. And it was the King Shlomoh [was] king over all Yisrael Now these the captains which [were] to him: Azaryahu, son of Zadoq the priest Eliychoref and Achiyah, sons of Shiysha, scribes. Yehoshaphat son of Achiylud the chronicler (“keeper of memories”) And Benayahu the son…
Glory Beyond the Kings of the Earth, 1 Kings 4-5 INTRODUCTION In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked for and was given wisdom, and Yahweh also promised to give him glory and riches and a long life. In the following chapters, we see these promises fulfilled. Solomon demonstrates his wisdom by…
Barth argues in CD 1/1 that the generation of the Son is not only antecedent to and the eternal ground of the act of creation, but that it is a superior act of the Father. The Son’s generation points to “the bringing forth of God from God,” which is greater…
Oliver O’Donovan’s Just War Revisited (reviewed in the August 13 TLS ) presents just war as “a means of delivering judgment when all other means of judging a dispute have failed. Since war arises in the absence of an adequate formal authority to resolve a dispute, armed conflict can be…
That is, Bill Clinton’s My Life , which David Frum reviews in the Sept issue of Commentary . Frum offers the standard (and entirely correct) conservative complaints against Clinton, but commends his understated performance as ex-President. Frum ends on this remarkably hopeful note (especially coming from someone like Frum): “In…
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