According to Peter Leithart, Israel’s prophet’s did not preach a legalistic message that aimed at moral reform. They preached an evangelical word. Ever since humanity has lived East of Eden the curse that follows sin is “dying you shall die”. This same curse haunts Israel since the covenant at Sinai. The prophets don’t proclaim: “Israel has sinned; therefore Israel needs to to get its act together or it will die.” The message is, “Israel has sinned; therefore, Israel must die, and its only hope is to entrust itself to a God who will give it new life on the far side of death.” Or, perhaps more simply: “Israel has sinned; Israel is already dead. Cling to the God who raises the dead.” This is the message of 1-2 Kings, which in Leithart’s mind “systematically dismantles Israel’s confidence in everything but the omnipotent mercy and patience of God.”