The United Monarchy and the Kingdom of Jeroboam II in the Story of Absalom and Sheba's Revolts (2 Samuel 15–20)

The story of Absalom and Sheba's revolts (2 Samuel 15–20) recounts how David's throne was threatened twice when Israel rebelled against him, first under the leadership of his son Absalom, and later under the Benjaminite Sheba. This study discusses the literary unity and the date of the revolts story, first and foremost, by taking into account the historical and geo-political context presupposed by its authors. It is thus demonstrated that the story is based on the geo-political realities of the 8th century B.C.E., and that it recalls the extent and power of the kingdom of Israel under the reign of Jeroboam II. The »great united monarchy« ruled by David as envisioned by the authors of the revolts story actually projects the territories of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah during the reign of Jeroboam II back to the 10th century B.C.E. In light of this conclusion, the study explores the origins of this concept in its literary and historical context.