There is no doubt that this book will be controversial; nevertheless, it will be required reading for anyone who wishes to pin archaeological and historical data within the framework of an absolute chronology.
The common response to any attempt to read the chronological notations associated with the kings of Israel and Judah in the time of the divided monarchy is, perhaps, a shrug of the shoulders, or a statement to the effect that the problem is insoluble. Not only are the apparently contradictory--or confusing--notations of the MT a consideration, but the evidence of the other major versions seriou…