Klaas A. D. Smelik

Converting the Past: Studies in Ancient Israelite and Moabite Historiagraphy (Oudtestamentische Studien, No 28) Klaas A. D. Smelik

Containing both previously unpublished studies and revised contributions, this work focuses on the use of texts from the Hebrew Bible for historical research. Following a general introduction, in which a new method of establishing the historical value of biblical texts is described, it places the Ark narrative (I Sam, iv-vi; II Sam, vi) in its historical context and looks at the relationship between the literary structure and the historical value of the Moabite inscription of King Mesha. In the next chapter, problems relating to the Hezekiah narratives (Isa xxxvi-xxxix; II Kings xviii-xx) are discussed. These include the primacy of the Isaiah version, the literary unity and historicity of the story and the theological purpose of the speeches and Sennacherib's letter. The last section focuses on the representation of King Manasseh in II Kings xxi and II Chronicles xxxiii.