The second half of the eighth century witnessed the most affluent period in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah since the break-up of the single nation after the death of Solomon in approximately 922 BC—a split summarized by the Chronicler in these words: ‘So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day’ (2 Ch. 10:19). Both capitals—Samaria in the north, Jerusalem in the south—had begun to enjoy immense material prosperity. In the face of this wealth and the godlessness