Editing Books of Kings (section)

=== Deuteronomistic history ===
According to Jewish tradition the author of Kings was [[Jeremiah]], who would have been alive during the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.<ref>Spieckermann, p. 337.</ref> The most common view today accepts [[Martin Noth]]'s thesis that Kings concludes a unified series of books which reflect the language and theology of the [[Book of Deuteronomy]], and which biblical scholars therefore call the [[Deuteronomistic history]].<ref>Perdue, xxvii.</ref> 

Noth argued that the History was the work of a single individual living in the 6th century BC, but scholars today tend to treat it as made up of at least two layers,<ref>Wilson, p. 85.</ref> a first edition from the time of [[Josiah]] (late 7th century BC), promoting Josiah's religious reforms and the need for repentance, and (2) a second and final edition from the mid-6th century BC.<ref name= "Fretheim"/><ref name="Grabbe"/> Further levels of editing have also been proposed, including: a late 8th century BC edition pointing to [[Hezekiah]] of Judah as the model for kingship; an earlier 8th-century BC version with a similar message but identifying [[Jehu]] of Israel as the ideal king; and an even earlier version promoting the House of David as the key to national well-being.<ref>Sweeney, p. 4.</ref>