Kings
a name of two books of the Old Testament, relating the history of the Hebrew monarchy (united and divided) from the proclamations of Solomon, a little before the death of David, to the death of Jehoiachim-a period not less than 431, and perhaps more than 453 years. In Hebrew, the two Books of Kings were originally one volume: the Septuagint divided them, calling them the third and fourth of the Kingdoms, and the Vulgate the third and fourth of the Kings. The unity of style between I and II Kings proves them to have had same editor. The materials to which he had access for the composition of the book seem to have been governmental records, published histories of individual kings, with memoirs of Elijah and Elisha, from an enthusiastic friend and admirer. The work contemplates events from the prophetic, as the books of Chronicles do from the priestly, point of view. the an