In my post titled “Samuel-Kings: Introduction to the Literary Structure” I proposed the unified organization for these combined books shown in Figure 1 and provided evidence of the common themes shared by sections labeled with the same Roman numerals.
Figure 1: The Structure of Samuel-Kings
IA. Samuel (I Sam. 1-7)
IIA. Saul's Reign (I Sam. 8:1-21:9)
IIIA. David Hides from Saul (I Sam. 21:10-II Sam. 1:27)
IVA. David the King (II Sam. 2-12)
IIIB. David Hides from Absalom (II Sam. 13-20)
IIB. Echoes of Saul's Reign (II Sam. 21-24)
IB. Solomon (I Kings 1-11)
IIC. Minor Kings (I Kings 12:1-16:28)
IIIC. Elijah and Ahab (I Kings 16:29-22:53)
IVB. Elisha Inherits the Mantle (II Kings 1-2)
IIID. Elisha and Ahab's Family (II Kings 3-10)
IID. Minor Kings (II Kings 11-17)
IC. Last Kings (II Kings 18-25)
But mere general thematic similarities between two or more passages in a book of the Bible is never enough by itself to establish parallel arrangements such as pictured above. One must also demonstrate that there are specific words, phrases, events or themes present between such passages as well. Thus, the more detailed evidence below is provided for your information. A number of these examples include rare Hebrew words:
IA, B and C: It is only in these three sections that someone is said to return to God with all their heart (I Sam. 7:3; I Kings 8:47-48; II Kings 23:25). Yahweh is recognized as the God of Israel by non-Israelites at I Sam. 5-6; I Kings 10:9; and II Kings 19:10-13.
IA and IB: The promise in I Sam. 2 to cut off Eli's house from temple service is fulfilled in I Kings 2:26-27. References to the Tent of Meeting cease after I Samuel 2:22 only to appear again at I Kings 8:3-4. Abiathar's expulsion in I Kings 2:27 harks back to the prophecies of I Sam. 2:27-36. Additional verbal parallels are given below, most appearing only in IA and IB within Sam-Kings:
Similarity IA (I Sam.) IB (I Kings)
sacrifice of well-being ch. 1 8:62-66
“river” (referring to the Euphrates) 1:1 11:26
prayers of petition from “your servant” 1:10 8:28-54
“I do not know how to go and come” 1:22 3:7
people “stand” to pray 1:26 8:22
“there is no one like God” 2:2 8:23
reason for the Zadokite priesthood 2:27-36 2:26-27
isseh (“offering”) 2:28 9:25
dreams/visions from God 3:1-3 3:4-5
passive meaning of “to bless” 3:14 2:26
“from Dan to Beersheba” 3:20 1:45
“be strong and be a man” 4:9 1:45
bsr referring to significant news 4:17 1:42
“there was peace between” 7:14 5:12
IA and IC: God is only called “holy” three times in Sam-Kings: twice in IA (I Sam. 2:2 and 6:20) and once in IC (II Kings 19:22). A catastrophe is announced with the words “Behold, the days are coming.” A sign confirms the word of God or his prophet in I Sam. 2:34 and II Kings 19:29; 20:9. The phrase “that will make the ears of anyone who hears it tingle” occurs in I Sam. 3:11 and II Kings 21:12. God is said to be “enthroned upon the cherubim” in I Sam. 4:4 and II Kings 19:15. “Remember a covenant” appears in I Sam. 11:1-2 and I Kings 15:12,19.
IB and IC: One of the most prominent similarities between these two sections is the renewal of God's covenant with the people under Kings Solomon (I Kings 8) and Josiah (II Kings 23). Also, the construction of the temple is described in IB and its destruction in IC. Similarly, Solomon's erection of “high places” of pagan worship is described in I Kings 11:7-8, but these are later destroyed by Josiah (II Kings 23:13).
McConville notes an “openness of Kings about the future” in Solomon's prayer and in the ending of the book. Six of the eight occurrences of “for the sake of David” in Sam-Kings appear in these two sections. Similar phrases describing kings who are unlike those that preceded or followed them are only given in sections IB and IC (at I Kings 3:12; II Kings 18:5; 23:25). The phrase “the place where Yahweh as chosen” appears seven times in these two sections, and “the importance of 'name-theology'...for the significance of Jerusalem” appears three times in these units. (Kaiser) Other parallels are summarized below:
Similarity Section IB Section IC
Serpent worship I Kings 1:9 II Kings 18:4
Siyyah, in the sense of “to give parting charges” I Kings 2:1 II Kings 20:1
“The book of the law,” etc. I Kings 2:3 II Kings 21:8; 22:8;23:25
“Walk in faithfulness with whole heart” I Kings 2:4 II Kings 20:3
“To die in peace” I Kings 2:6 II Kings 22:20
Eating at a king's table I Kings 2:7 II Kings 25:29-30
Adonay used non-vocatively I Kings 2:26; 22:6 II Kings 19:23
Kings that are “faithful before God” I Kings 3:6 II Kings 20:3
Dispute involving two woman and their children I Kings 3:16-28 II Kings 18:26-27
Deaths are discovered in the morning I Kings 3:21 II Kings 19:35
Scribes hold high political office I Kings 4:3 II Kings 18:18; 25:19
“own vines and fig trees I Kings 4:25, 5:5 II Kings 18:31
Cedars of Lebanon I Kings 5:6 II Kings 19:23
Delet (“door”) I Kings 6:31 II Kings 18:16
“measuring line” I Kings 7:23 II Kings 21:13
Temple utensils I Kings 7:40,45,50 II Kings 25:14
Similar ceremonies I Kings 8 II Kings 23:1-3
Three-fourths of Zion appearances in book I Kings 8:1 II Kings 19:21,31
All references to walking before God I Kings 8:25; 9:4 II Kings 20:3
“Since the day (the Israelites came) out of Egypt” I Kings 8:16 II Kings 21:15
“that my name might be there” I Kings 16,29 II Kings 23:27
God as creator and Lord of heaven and earth I Kings 8:23 II Kings 19-15
“people of inheritance” I Kings 8:51,53 II Kings 21:14
“as each day requires” I Kings 8:59 II Kings 25:30
“to put his name there” I Kings 9:3; 11:36 II Kings 21:4,7
Nations are amazed at Judah's destruction I Kings 9:8-9 II Kings 21:12
treaties between peaceful nations I Kings 9:13 II Kings 20:32-33
the burning of cities I Kings 9:16 II Kings 25:9
examples of state hospitality I Kings 10:1-13 II Kings 20:12-13
King with/without a whole heart for Yahweh I Kings 11:4 II Kings 20:3
Identical three pagan gods I Kings 11:5-7 II Kings 23:13
David glorified I Kings 11:6,12-13 II Kings 18:3; 22:3
Kings are spared “for the sake of David” I Kings 11:12-13 II Kings 19:34
God puts his name in Jerusalem I Kings 11:36 II Kings 21:4
IA, IVA and IB: These beginning, middle and concluding sections of the first half of Fig. 1 are united by the following: (a) episodes centering around the ark of the covenant in I Sam. 4-6 and II Sam. 6, (b) instances where a king sacrifices oxen and fatlings (II Sam. 6:13; I Kings 1:9-25), (c) repetition of material from II Sam. 4:4-5 in I Kings 2:11, and (d) the only appearances in Sam-Kings of the phrase “she conceived and gave birth” (I Sam. 1:19-20; II Sam. 11:4-5, 27).
IIA and IIB:
Similarity Section IIA Section IIB
Massab (“garrison”) 6x II Sam. 23:14
God pictured as having ears I Sam. 8:21 II Sam. 22:7
“Honored” men I Sam. 9:6 II Sam. 23:19,23
Only appearances of “seers” I Sam. 9:19 II Sam. 24:11
God associated with thunder I Sam. 12:18 II Sam. 22:14
Kings make burnt offerings I Sam. 13:9 II Sam. 24:25
A king spares someone or something after war I Sam. 15:3,9,15 II Sam. 21:7
God “repents” I Sam. 15:11 II Sam. 24:16
Negative use of “make an end to” I Sam. 15:18 II Sam. 21:5; 22:39
David as a musician I Sam. 16:16-23 II Sam. 23:1
Enemies “deride” God and His people I Sam. 17 II Sam. 21:21
Saul attempts to kill David, who doesn't retaliate I Sam. 17-19 II Sam. 24:26
Only combination of “muster” and “battle” I Sam. 17:1-2 II Sam. 23:9
Battles take place in valleys I Sam. 17:2-3,19 II Sam. 23:13
“bronze” I Sam. 17:5-6 II Sam. 22:35
Spears “like a weaver’s beam” I Sam. 17:7 II Sam. 21:19
“Took his stand” I Sam. 17:16 II Sam. 23:12
Lion killed single-handedly I Sam. 17:34-37 II Sam. 23:20
Battles with giants; being girded with a new sword I Sam. 17:39 II Sam. 21:16
Without cause/charge (same Hebrew word) I Sam. 19:5 II Sam. 24:24
Possession by the spirit of prophecy I Sam. 19:20-23 II Sam. 23:2
IIA, B and D: Anger is kindled against someone in I Sam. 17:28; 20:30; II Sam. 24:1; and II Kings 13:3.
IIA and IIC:
Similarity Section IIA Section IIC
Payment to a prophet I Sam. 9:7 I Kings 14:3
“honey” I Sam. 14:25-43 I Kings 14:3
Prophecy of oppressive kings I Sam. 8:10-18 I Kings 12:1-5
Prophecies confirmed I Sam. 9-10 I Kings 14:18; 16:12
Worship on high places approved I Sam. 9:12ff;10:5,13 I Kings 15:11-14.
Same interrogative phrase I Sam. 9:18 I Kings 13:12, 22:24
Kings seek support of elders I Sam. 15:30 I Kings 12:6-8
“How long?” I Sam. 16:1 I Kings 18:21
Similar threats I Sam. 17:44 I Kings 14:11; 16:4
Suicides I Sam. 17:23 I Kings 16:18-19
Temptations to idolatry I Sam. 19:11-17 I Kings 11:1-8
IIA and IID:
Similarity Section IIA Section IID
Same Hebrew words for one who is very wealthy I Sam. 9:1 II Kings 15:20
Calls to fear Yahweh I Sam. 12 II Kings 17
Israel's failures blamed on the monarchy I Sam. 12:12-15 II Kings 17:8
Reigns of kings cut short by God I Sam. 13:11-14 II Kings 14:1-20
Prophecy occurring on the battlefield I Sam. 15:2-3 II Kings 13:14-19
Illegitimate sacrifices to God are made I Sam. 15:15-22 II Kings 16:15
Sin of divination I Sam. 15:23 II Kings 17:17
They reject God's word and He rejects them I Sam. 15:23, 26 II Kings 17:16, 20
Hebrew word translated “craftsmen” I Sam. 13:19 II Kings 12:12
Covenants between human beings I Sam. 18:3 II Kings 11:17
Fleeing to avoid being killed I Sam. 19:12 II Kings 11:40
Interpretation of arrows I Sam. 20:21 II Kings 13:18
Kings are said to sit on thrones I Sam. 20:25 II Kings 11:19
IIB and IIC: These two sections close with descriptions of key properties being acquired by silver (for Solomon's temple and for the city of Samaria, respectively). Kings of Israel are called “lamps” in II Sam. 21:17 and I Kings 15:4. Lion attacks are mentioned in II Samuel 23:20 and I Kings 13:24-28. Two of the occasions when God incited kings to act sinfully are found in II Sam. 24:1 and I Kings 12:15. “Seer” (hozeh) is the title for a prophet in II Samuel 24:11 and II Kings 17:13.
IIB and IID: The names Jacob and Israel are used in parallel in Sam-Kings only at II Sam. 23:1 and II Kings 17:34. Purchases of land are featured in II Sam. 24:24 and I Kings 16:24. God allows rulers to chose their own punishments in II Samuel 24:10-17 and II Kings 13:14-19.
IIC and IID: Almost all of the examples of people becoming kings through violent coups in Kings are found in these two sections. See I Kings 15:32-34; 16:15-16; II Kings 15:10-13,14-16, 25-26, and 30-31.
Similarity Section IIC Section IID
All references to Jereboam's sin after his death 7x II Kings 17:15-16
Rare public acclaim on the transfer of power I Kings 12:1-19 II Kings 11
Killing by lions as judgment from God I Kings13:24 II Kings 17:25
Power of prophet's bones I Kings 13:31 II Kings 13:21
Judgment on all, whether “bond or free” I Kings 14:10 II Kings 14:26
A prophecy is fulfilled in stages I Kings 14:10-18; 15:25ff
II Kings 17:7-23
Idolatrous worship involving pillars, sacred poles I Kings 14:23 II Kings 16:4; 17:10f
Idolatrous worship on hilltops I Kings 14:24 II Kings 12:3; 16:4
X “did what was right in the sight of the LORD” I Kings 15:5,11 II Kings 14:3
The important role of queen mothers I Kings 15:11-13 II Kings 11
Only appearances of Ben-Hadad I Kings 15:18 II Kings 13:3
A king entices another king to attack an enemy I Kings 15:18 II Kings 16:7-9
Abel Beth Maacah I Kings 15:20 II Kings 15:29
Naphthali as first in path of enemy troops I Kings 15:20 II Kings 15:29
Royal ailments described I Kings 15:23 II Kings 15:5
Only application of the word hebel to idols I Kings 16:13,26 II Kings 17:15
Failure to remove golden calves is criticized I Kings 16:19 II Kings 15:18
IIIA, B and D: The three occurrences of the phrase “the days that you remained there” in Sam-Kings appear in these sections (I Sam. 23:13; II Sam. 15:20; II Kings 8:1). The blessing “go in peace” occurs at I Sam. 29:7; II Sam. 15:9; II Kings 5:19 and only one other time in Sam-Kings. The figurative use of “heart” appears only at I Samuel 25:37; II Samuel 18:14; and II Kings 9:24.
IIIA, B, C and D: The Hebrew word rakab for mounting an animal appears once each in these four sections and only in one other location in Sam-Kings.
IIIA and IIIB:
Similarities Section IIIA Section IIIB
“Placed...in their hearts” I Sam. 21:12 II Sam. 13:20
“Commanders of thousands and hundreds” I Sam. 22:7 II Sam. 18:1,4
Attacking a city to get one man I Sam. 23:7-13 II Sam. 17:13; 20:14-22
Armies that are 600-men strong I Sam. 23:13 II Sam. 15:18
David is called “the LORD's anointed” I Sam. 24:6; 26:9 II Sam. 19:21
Bowing to a king I Sam. 24:8 II Sam. 14:4
The root gml (“good deeds” of David) I Sam. 24:17 II Sam. 19:36
The importance of one's name living on I Sam. 24:21-22 II Sam. 14:7; 18:10
Sheep shearing celebrations I Sam. 25:1 II Sam. 13:23-27
Riding on a donkey I Sam. 25:20,42 II Sam. 19:26
Wise women talk to kings I Sam. 25:24-31 II Sam. 14:2-3; 20:16-19
“Disgrace” applied to capital crimes I Sam. 25:25 II Sam. 13:12
God is “blessed” I Sam. 25:32,39 II Sam. 18:28
“Banquet fit for a king” I Sam. 25:36 II Sam. 13:27
“Heart is /was merry” = drunkenness I Sam. 25:36 II Sam. 13:28
Abishai acts impulsively I Sam. 26:8 II Sam. 16:9
The land as Yahweh’s inheritance I Sam. 26:19 II Sam. 14:16; 20:19
“made yourself odious to” I Sam. 27:12 II Sam. 16:21
Physical decay due to old age I Sam. 28:14 II Sam. 19:31-39
50 & 100 as military units I Sam. 29:2 II Sam. 15:1
“Satan” applied to human adversaries I Sam. 29:4 II Sam. 19:22
“just as the angel of God” I Sam. 29:9 II Sam. 14:17,20; 19:27
“the matter is narrow for” I Sam. 30:6 II Sam. 13:2
“Catch up” I Sam. 30:8 II Sam. 15:14
Descriptions of suicides I Sam. 31:3-5; II Sam. 1:5-16
II Sam. 17:23
A man with torn clothes and dirt on his head II Sam. 1:2 II Sam. 15:32
A man from battle with news of a death II Sam. 1:2 II Sam. 18:24
Comparison of brave warriors to lions II Sam. 1:23 II Sam. 17:10
IIIA, B and C: In these three sections, the main characters flee from their pursuers. Drunken kings are found in I Sam. 25:36; II Sam. 13:28; and I Kings 20:16. The first two are assassinated while inebriated. People are contemptuously called “this fellow” in I Samuel 21:16; II Samuel 13:17; and I Kings 22:27.
IIIA and IIIC:
Similarities IIIA IIIC
Men of God being afraid I Sam. 21:12 I Kings 19:3
Caves as places of refuge I Sam. 22:1-2; 24:3 I Kings 18:4,13; 19:9
Royal courts in the field I Sam. 25:5 I Kings 21:8
Being asleep with an object at their head I Sam. 26:11-12 I Kings 19:6
Non-sacral slaughtering of animals I Sam. 28:24 I Kings 19:21
IIIA and IIID: The related words for madness and madman appear in I Sam. 21:15-16 and II Kings 9:11, respectively. The combination “servant” and “king of Israel” only appears at I Sam. 29:3 and II Kings 5:6. Attacks by archers are featured in I Sam. 31:3 and II Kings 9:24, and there are similar scenes of war pictured in I Sam. 31:11-12 and II Kings 6:24-7:20.
IIIB, C and D: The four uses of the phrase usually translated “What have I to do with you?” in Sam-Kings appear here (II Sam. 16:10, 19:22-23; I Kings 17:18; II Kings 3:13). Three of the four uses of the vocative “my lord” in these books are in these sections (II Sam. 14:15; I Kings 18:7; II Kings 8:12). “Father” has the meaning of an important leader in I Samuel 24:11 and II Kings 6:21.
IIIB and IIIC: Purposely false counsel from the LORD is found in II Sam. 17:14 and I Kings 22:22-23. The rebuilding of Jericho by Ahab is described in II Sam. 19:5 and I Kings 16:34. Kammeh, meaning “how many?,” appears only at II Sam. 19:35 and I Kings 22:16. Three of the four parables in Samuel-Kings appear in these two sections (II Samuel 14:6; I Kings 20:35; 22:19).
IIIB and IIID:
Similarity Section IIIB Section IIID
Only references to cooking/baking II Sam. 13:8 II Kings 4:38; 6:29
All but one use of the verb “to pour” II Sam. 13:9; 18:34 II Kings 3:11; 4:40-41
Very similar dialogue II Sam. 14:4-5 II Kings 6:26-28
Incidents at the gates of a city II Sam. 15:1-4 II Kings 7:1
Servants switch allegiances II Sam. 15:34 II Kings 10:5
Derogatory use of the term “dog” II Sam. 16:9 II Kings 8:13
Guilt in other people's eyes is mentioned II Sam. 19:19 II Kings 7:9
Servants betray their masters II Sam. 18:24-30 II Kings 5:1-27
IIIC and IIID: In addition to the many parallels involving Elijah and Elisha, the following can be cited:
Similarity Section IIIC Section IIID
God speaks through the prophets I Kings 16:34 II Kings 9:36
Non-Israelites are converted I Kings 17 II Kings 5
“To stand before” relating to prophets and God I Kings 17:1; 18:15 II Kings 3:14
Rooftop as a place of relaxing I Kings 17:19 II Kings 4:10
“Now I know that...” I Kings 17:24 II Kings 5:15
“Mighty warriors” I Kings 18 II Kings 5:1
Baal worship at Tyre and Sidon I Kings 18 II Kings 9-10
“Call upon the name of the LORD” I Kings 18:24 II Kings 5:11
Rare word for “bow down” I Kings 18:42 II Kings 4:34-35
Seven-fold Elijah/Elisha commands I Kings 18:43-44 II Kings 5:10,14
“Went to Jezreel” I Kings 18:45 II Kings 9:16
Girding of the loins I Kings 18:46 II Kings 4:29; 9:1
God’s hand comes upon a prophet I Kings 18:46 II Kings 3:15
God works through Syrians I Kings 19:15 II Kings 5:1
Prophets involved in a change of regime I Kings 19:15-18 II Kings 8:10-13
Kings consult prophets I Kings 20 II Kings 3:11-19
“Massa, a word of the LORD” I Kings 21:17-19 II Kings 9:25
Covetous murder I Kings 21:19 II Kings 9:26
Animals devour dead bodies I Kings 21:19,24 II Kings 9:10,36
“I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond
or free, in Israel” I Kings 21:21 II Kings 9:8
Combined attacks of Israel and Judah's armies I Kings 22 II Kings 3
Method of Jezebel's death I Kings 21:23 II Kings 9:30
“My forces are as your forces, etc.” I Kings 22:4 II Kings 3:7
An inquiry is made of the LORD I Kings 22:7-8 II Kings 3:11
Threshing floors I Kings 22:10 II Kings 6:27
Rare word for “to hide” I Kings 22:25 II Kings 7:12
Similar assessment of Jehoshaphat's reign I Kings 22:43-44 II Kings 3:14
IVA and IVB: Blessings or promises in the name of Yahweh are given in II Sam. 6:18 and II Kings 2:4. Two rare appearances of Jericho in Sam-Kings occur at II Sam. 10:5 and II Kings 2. On the first occasion, David tells his men to remain in Jericho while Elijah, in the second instance, tells Elisha to remain in Bethel while he goes on to Jericho. The practice of a king taking a deposed king's wives or concubines is alluded to in II Sam. 3:7; 12:8; and I Kings 2:17-25. The Cherethites and the Pelethites are mentioned in II Samuel 8:18 and I Kings 1:38,44.
The oath formula “As the LORD lives” appears at II Sam. 4:9 and I Kings 1:29.
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