002_cudworth_co_498_523 13/02/15 11:26 Pagina 515 THE DIVISION OF ISRAEL’S KINGDOM IN CHRONICLES 515 the norm that they set. With these points laid out, Knoppers argues that the Chronicler gives Jeroboam an increased role in the assem- bly at Shechem, which makes him the guilty party. 1. Does the Chronicler incriminate Jeroboam? Nevertheless, both of Knoppers’ points in support of this argu- ment have weaknesses. Concerning the first, the Chronicler leaves out not only 1 Kgs 11,26-39 but virtually all material concerning Jeroboam’s kingship or even northern kingship in general (cf. 1 Kgs 12,20) 50. Presumably, he would need to mention much more about its institution if he wanted to condemn it, but he only leaves in details that would seem to legitimize its existence (again, 2 Chr 10,15; 11,4). As Knoppers acknowledges, the Chronicler holds to a strict policy of recording events in the northern kingdom only when they intersect with the southern kingdom. If this is the case, one should not make too much of certain omissions. As for the second point, the Chronicler does seem to hold a spe- cial place for the Davidic monarchy as Knoppers has suggested 51, but he also shows that the Davidides suffered judgment when they acted unfaithfully, just as Rehoboam did (see above). For example, the Chronicler will illustrate YHWH’s wrath later as he uses the northern kingdom to punish the Davidic king Ahaz for his idolatry (2 Chr 28,5.9) 52. Certainly unfaithfulness to YHWH could tear apart the united kingdom of Israel, but as I have argued above, the Chron- icler rebukes Rehoboam for denying the plea of all Israel, an im- portant cultic institution established by David. Does the Chronicler criticize Jeroboam anywhere in his narrative? 50 Most references to northern kingship are mundane and borrowed; cf. 2 Chr 13,2; 16,1; 18,3. Much later, YHWH gives Judah into the hand of the northern king, which seems to lend it at least some legitimacy (28,5). The Chronicler contends that Amaziah also lost to the northern kingdom because of his sin (cf. 25,20). 51 Though scholars have greatly debated this topic, cf. KELLY, Retribution and Eschatology, 135-185. 52 The Chronicler shows the guilt of the northern kingdom for their bru- tality in the event, but the fact remains that “Because YHWH the God of your fathers was angry with Judah he gave them into your (i.e. northern Israel’s) hand” (v. 9).