01_Dubovský_321_346 28/10/14 10:32 Pagina 325 WHY DID THE NORTHERN KINGDOM FALL? 325 King Jeroboam Nadab Dynasty Baasha Coup d’état change I. (formula; 1 Kgs 15,27-28) Elah Dynasty Zimri Coup d’état change II. (formula; 1 Kgs 16,9-10) Dynasty Omri Not a coup d’état change III. (1 Kgs 16,16-22) Ahab Ahaziah Jehoram Dynasty Jehu Coup d’état change IV. (narrative; 2 Kings 9–10) Jehoahaz Jehoash Jeroboam Zechariah Dynasty Shallum Coup d’état change V. (formula; 2 Kgs 15,10) Dynasty Menahem Coup d’état change VI. (formula; 2 Kgs 15,14) Pekahiah Dynasty Pekah Coup d’état change VII. (formula; 2 Kgs 15,25) Dynasty Hoshea Coup d’état change VIII. (formula; 2 Kgs 15,30) If we place Menahem’s and Jehu’s coups d’état into the same group as those defined by a stereotyped formula of conspiracy, then the conspiracies and revolts in the Northern Kingdom amount to seven. The number seven indicates totality, completeness, and ful- fillment 13. It seems that the number seven was employed in order to convey the idea of completeness, i.e., the totality of the coups 13 Cf. for example Gen 2,2; 4,24; 7,4; 41,2-54; Exod 7,25; 16,26-27; etc.