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What are the major unifying themes of the Deuteronomic History?

Answer:

Answer

The Deuteronomic History consists of the Old Testament Books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel anf Kings, which form a unified and consistent history of the land of the Israelite people.

Whether or not it is a strictly literal history, the Deuteronomic History certainly provides an epic theme of a glorious past for a great nation founded under the guidance of its God and then divided into two by because of the disobedience of its people. One theme that devolves from this is that disobedience of the law will bring punishment by God, particularly the withdrawal of the gift of the land promised to the people by God.

Perhaps the past was not as glorious as described; perhaps the land was not really promised to the people just as described; and perhaps there really was no magnificant United Monarchy of Israel, but the History was designed to develop national pride and unity, both for the Judahites of the southern kingdom and the refugees who arrived in Judah after the destruction of the northern Hebrew kingdom of Israel.
First answer by Dick Harfield. Last edit by Dick Harfield. Contributor trust: 1147 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].