Before kings, before prophets

Another aspect of the “satire” of royal power in 1-2 Kings comes out when we examine scenes of womena appealing for help before an authority. Early in Kings, women appeal to Kings and receive what they need (Bath-sheba and David; prostitutes and Solomon). Sheba is overwhelmed by Solomon’s kingdom. For most of Kings, however, women find no relief from kings (cf 2 Kings 6), but the women who consult with prophets receive life and food and justice (1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 4). Jehoram provides justice for the Shunammite, but he does it under the influence of a prophetic tale (2 Kings 8). Strikingly, so far as I can recall, Jehoram is the last king in 1-2 Kings who is shown in this type-scene. But then, there are no more prophet-with-women scenes after Elisha leaves the scene either, though there is a neat twist in 2 Kings 22: a king-before-prophetess scene.