Military Coups in Ancient Israel and Their Implications for ...

This study examines the depiction of military coups in the Hebrew Bible, focusing on their implications for understanding the concept of YHWH's divine army. It observes that while human armies are often led by generals who can pose threats to monarchs, the biblical texts portray YHWH's army as lacking subordinate commanders, with YHWH exercising sole authority. The analysis suggests that this portrayal may reflect an intentional theological stance emphasizing YHWH's uncontested sovereignty, possibly influenced by the historical context of military coups challenging human kingship. By highlighting the contrast between human military hierarchies and the divine army's structure, the study offers insights into the biblical authors' perspectives on divine authority and its relationship to earthly power structures.