A comparative reading of the Elijah Cycle and its implications for Deuteronomistic ideology

Abstract

This study adopted a multi-dimentional approach in its inquiry as to the relationship between the Elijah Cycle and the religious and political agenda of DH. It has argued, on the basis of literary features and contents of the first and last narratives, that the Cycle has been structured so as to support and develop deuteronomistic ideology through a comparative reading of 1 Kings 17 and 1 Kings 22:52 – 2 Kings 1. Such a comparative reading has been shown to create contrasts between the two narratives, and in turn these contrasts have been shown to advance and develop DH ideology. The social-scientific analysis of Chapter 4 has confirmed and strengthened these results, showing that an understanding of the socio-cultural world behind the texts increases the dynamics of the contrasts and ironies that are recognised in a comparative reading.