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The sources of the narrative are referred to (1) “the book of the acts of Solomon” (1 Kings 11:41); (2) the “book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” (14:29; 15:7, 23, etc.); (3) the “book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel” (14:19; 15:31; 16:14, 20, 27, etc.).
The date of its composition was some time between B.C. 561, the date of the last chapter (2 Kings 25), when Jehoiachin was released from captivity by Evil-merodach, and B.C. 538, the date of the decree of deliverance by Cyrus.
•KINSMAN Hebrews goel, from root meaning to redeem. The goel among the Hebrews was the nearest male blood relation alive. Certain important obligations devolved upon him toward his next of kin. (1.) If any one from poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to redeem it (Leviticus 25:25,28; Ruth 3:9, 12). He was also required to redeem his relation who had sold himself into slavery (Leviticus 25:48, 49).
God is the Goel of his people because he redeems them (Exodus 6:6; Isaiah 43:1; 41:14; 44:6, 22; 48:20; Psalm 103:4; Job 19:25, etc.).
(2.) The goel also was the avenger (q.v.) of blood (Numbers 35:21) in the case of the murder of the next of kin.
•KIR a wall or fortress, a place to which Tiglath-pileser carried the Syrians captive after he had taken the city of Damascus (2 Kings 16:9; Amos 1:5; 9:7). Isaiah (22:6), who also was contemporary with these events, mentions it along with Elam. Some have supposed that Kir is a variant of Cush (Susiana), on the south of Elam.