Reinhard Müller

Jahwekrieg und Heilsgeschichte

The motives of the Yahweh war in the Old Testament are rooted in the war theology of the Ancient Near East, according to which God and king collaborate in a battle in order to defend order in the world against the powers of chaos. In the war narratives of the Old Testament, beginning with Exodus 14*, kingship was replaced by Israel as Gods people. During the Persian period, the idea of Yahweh was incorporated subsequently into the war texts from the kingship era. This presupposes the kingship catastrophes between 722 and 586 BCE and reflects the enduring military powerlessness of the Jewish community.

Theologie jenseits der Königsherrschaft

Old Testament criticism of kingship (Judg 8:22-23; 9; I Sam 8; 10:17ff; 12) does not originate in the early Israelite kingdom but after the downfall of the Judean kingdom. The original book of Judges and the narratives of I Sam 8* and 10:17ff* demonstrate that Judaism initially regarded kingship as the culmination of its own history. However critical reflection of the traditions of history lead to the realization that kingship is a danger for Israels existence and stands in the way of the immediate relationship between Yahweh and Israel.