1 Kings: Wisdom and the Folly

Dale Ralph Davis’s two volumes on Kings are much more exegetically substantial than their accessible, sermonic style might suggest. Davis has a particularly good eye for narrative structure, repeated vocabulary, irony and apparently incidental details that turn out to carry considerable theological weight. His discussion of 1 Kings 2, for example, notices how the repeated language of the kingdom being “established” organizes both David’s covenantal charge and Solomon’s removal of threats to the throne. He consistently seeks what he calls the “theological nerve” of the passage and communicates it with unusual clarity, wit and pastoral force. These are not technical commentaries and should be supplemented for textual, archaeological and historical-critical questions, but Davis frequently sees things that more technical commentators miss. Among expositional commentaries on Kings, this is outstanding: original, memorable, text-driven and exceptionally useful for preaching and teaching.

I've found this one the most helping in understanding the flow of events/thoughts in the 1KIngs

Compared to many of the Old Testament books, and especially historical books, it seems that there is a quite a good selection of excellent volumes on Kings. At the top of the list is Dale Ralph Davis’ volumes. (You may note that his volumes were also commended for Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.) Davis’ work is ideal for layperson and scholar alike and will be an invaluable aid to understanding and applying these books. [Full Review]

A theological expository commentary

I have already mentioned the high quality of Davis' commentaries on the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, and 2 Samuel. His commentaries on 1 & 2 Kings are equally outstanding. These commentaries should be on the shelf of every Bible student and pastor. [Full Review]