The Zeal of Elijah: Visual Resources

Note: Most of these images are found in the public domain and may not reflect the most up-to-date and accurate scholarship regarding the history of Israel and Judah, but should nevertheless be sufficient for getting a basic sense of the background.

Figure 1: The Kings of Israel and Judah

Figure 2: The Omride Dynasty

Figure 3: The Mesha Stele (left) and Kurkh Monoliths (right) [not to scale]

Mesha Stele inscription excerpt: “I am Mesha, son of Chemosh king of Moab, the Dibonite. My father reigned over Moab thirty years and I reigned after my father. And I built this high place for Chemosh at Qarhoh [...] because he saved me from all the kings and caused me to triumph over all my adversaries. Omri, king of Israel, humbled Moab many days because Chemosh was angry at his land. And his son succeeded him, and he also said, “I too will humble Moab.” In my days he said this, but I have triumphed over him and over his house and Israel has perished for ever. Omri had conquered the land of Medeba and he ruled over it during it in my days and half the days of his son, forty years, but Chemosh returned it in my days.”

Kurkh Monolith inscription excerpt: “I [Shalmaneser III of Assyria] departed from Halman and approached the two cities of Irhulenu the Hamathite and captured the cities of Adinnu and Barga, and Argana his royal city. I brought out his spoil, his property, and the possessions of his palaces and set fire to his palaces. I departed from Argana and approached Qarqar. I destroyed, devastated, and burned with fire Qarqar his royal city. 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, and 20,000 soldiers of Adad-idri of the land of Imerisu [Aram-Damascus], 700 chariots, 700 calvary, and 10,000 soldiers of Irhulenu the Hamathite, 2,000 chariots and 10,000 soldiers of Ahab the Israelite, 500 soldiers of the Gueans, 1,000 soldiers of he Musreans [Egyptians], 10 chariots and 10,000 soldiers of the Irqanateans, 200 of Matinu-al’il the Arwadite, 200 soldiers of the Usanateans, 30 chariots and soldiers and 10,000 soldiers of Adunu-ba’il the Sianean, 1,000 camels of Gindibu the Arabian, [ ]000 soldiers of Ba’sa the (Bit-)Ruhubite, the Ammonite - these twelve kings he brought to his help. They marched against me for battle and combat. [emphasis added]”

Excerpts drawn from J. Maxwell Miller & John H. Hayes, A History of Ancient Israel and Judah, 2nd Edition (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006).

Figure 4: The Baal Cycle

“Hail, Baal the Conqueror! Hail, Rider on the Clouds! Prince Sea is our captive, Judge River is our captive.” (Tablet 2, Column 4) [Compare Psalm 68:5]

“Now Baal will provide his enriching rain, provide a rich watering in a downpour; and he will sound his voice in the clouds, flash his lightning to the earth" (Tablet 4, Column 5) [Compare Psalm 29:3]

“Sun, the furrows in the fields have dried, / the furrows in El’s fields have dried; Baal has neglected the furrows of his plowland. Where is Baal the Conqueror? Where is the Prince, the Lord of the Earth?” (Tablet 6, Column 4)

Excerpts drawn from Stories from Ancient Canaan, 2nd Ed., ed. Michael D. Coogan and Mark S. Smith (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012).