Examples of individual and national restitution in the Books of Kings

Abstract

The Books of Kings contain some examples of individual restitution in the prophetic narratives: raising from death, restitution from a disastrous illness and restitution of a social position. The main motive in these narratives is the confidence of people in the saving power of the prophet and of God, who uses the magic abilities of the prophet. In the composition of the Deuteronomistic History the national restitution of Israel in 2 Kings 13-14 appears as a chance for Israel to repent. But it was not used, and so the history of Israel inevitably came to an end.