Spiritual Vitality over Material Prosperity: The Nature of a True Davidic King in 2 Chronicles

Three kings in 2 Chronicles are explicitly compared to David in the regnal formula, namely, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. Their comparison to David is significant since David is portrayed throughout 1 Chronicles as the ideal Israelite king. This study examines the possible criteria that qualified these three kings to be positive emulations of their ideal forefather by evaluating the sacred and secular activities of each Judahite king against similar activities exemplified by David in 1 Chronicles. Naturally, closer parallels with David’s actions by certain kings implicitly tied these kings to the Davidic prototype, thereby establishing them as a true Davidic king. Using this method, this study concludes that these three kings were compared to David because they were the three kings who most closely emulated the sacred elements demonstrated by David. As such, a king like David was an individual who prioritized the spiritual wellbeing of the kingdom over its material prosperity.