Biblical Theories of the History of Prophetism in Old Testament: An Ethical Monotheistic Approach

This paper presents biblical theories of the history of prophetism in Israel as regards its ethical-monotheism. As apostasy reared its head, both in the kings and among the nation-Israel, the relationship between the kings and prophets was strained. Prophets and kings stood over against each other. The keynote of prophecy having become the message of overthrow, the kings, who naturally believed in the consideration of what existed, could not fail to regard the prophets with suspicion and antagonism. The prophets were from their standpoint lacking in patriotism, in fact traitors. The contrast between true and false prophets begins to play a role. Ethical-monotheism is an ethical conception of Jehovah giving rise to monotheism. The proper examination of these problems engages the aim of this paper. The method of approach is historical with the review of relevant literature or literary analyses.