Book of the Kings of Israel

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The similarly named Biblical books are located at Books of Kings.

The Book of the Kings of Israel is a non-canonical work described in 1Chronicles 9:1–2. The passage reads:

"So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the subjects (netinim)."

It is referenced again at 2Chronicles 20:34, which reads:

"Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel."

It is referenced again at 2Chronicles 27:7, which reads:

"The other events in Jotham's reign, including his wars and other things he did, are written in the book of the Kings of Israel and Judah."

This name is sometimes written The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

See also


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The Chronicles of the Kings of Israel is a book that gives a more detailed account of the reigns of the kings of ancient Kingdom of Israel than that presented in the Hebrew Bible, and may have been the source from which parts of the biblical account were drawn. The book was likely compiled by or derived from the kings of Israel's own scribes, and is likely the source for the basic facts presented in the Bible.

The Chronicles of the Kings of Judah is a Lost work that gives a more detailed account of the reigns of the kings of the ancient Kingdom of Judah than appears in the Hebrew Bible. It is not believed to be Books of Chronicles since it is implied by the writer of Books of Kings that it could be used as a significant supplement to the writings contained in that book itself and Books of Chronicles adds little information at best and there is also a discrepancy in the dates of certain events between the two books.

The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel was separated into the two books of I Kings and II Kings in the Old Testament. The book is described at 2 Chronicles 16:11. The passage reads: "And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel." It is also referenced at 2 Chronicles 24:27; "The account of his sons, the many prophecies about him, and the record of the restoration of the temple of God are written in the annotations on the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son succeeded him as king."

The Acts of the Kings of Israel is a non-canonical work described in 2Chronicles 33:18. The passage reads: "Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel."

The Book of Jehu is a lost text that may have been written by the Biblical prophet Jehu ben Hanani, who was one of King Baasha's contemporaries. The book is described in 2 Chronicles 20:34: "Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is mentioned in the book of the Kings of Israel."

The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings (1951) is a reconstruction of the chronology of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah by Edwin R. Thiele. The book was originally his doctoral dissertation and is widely regarded as the definitive work on the chronology of Hebrew Kings. The book is considered the classic and comprehensive work in reckoning the accession of kings, calendars, and co-regencies, based on biblical and extra-biblical sources.

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