1 and 2 Kings

Walter Brueggemann’s 1 & 2 Kings (Smyth & Helwys) is a vivid, provocative, and often brilliant socio-prophetic reading that shows well how Kings is not mere chronicle but a theological interpretation of public life under YHWH; yet it is less reliable as a commentary than stronger alternatives because its rhetoric and political imagination often outrun the text. Departing from the archaeological, philological, and historical-critical rigor of commentators such as Cogan, Hobbs, and Wiseman, Brueggemann reads the narrative through a pronounced hermeneutic of suspicion, especially in his treatment of Solomon as an imperial, quasi-Pharaonic ruler, and frequently frames Kings through modern political and economic categories that give the volume homiletical punch but can also feel anachronistic. He repeatedly presses genuine insights into overstatement by sharply minimizing the historiographical dimension of Kings, treating chronology as largely inconsequential, presenting suspicions as conclusions, and building large ideological claims on textual silences or narrative “confusions” that other commentators explain more cautiously. The result is a work of real energy, imagination, and theological seriousness, but also one marked by occasional factual slips and logical inconsistency, including the tension between calling Kings our best timeline and insisting it is not really “history” in any meaningful sense. As a secondary, provocative reading partner it is valuable; as a primary guide to what Kings actually says and how securely one may say it, it is markedly weaker than Wray Beal, Cogan/Hobbs, House, or even the more cautious Fretheim and Nelson.

Longman says, “Brueggemann is always asking questions that are relevant to church and society today.” This is an accessible and illustrated commentary for both lay persons and ministers. [Full Review]

 

This is a much longer commentary (though the text is very large print and there are many pictures). Brueggemann can be very insightful at times. He especially works hard to understand the social and political background of the text and then use those observations to make applications for the church and culture of our day. This is what makes this commentary valuable even where you may disagree. But disagree I often did. He can sometimes in my opinion, due in part to his cynicism, not see the intent of the author. Indeed, sometimes his cynicism seems to carry over to the author and Scripture itself. This results in an almost arrogant feel which comes through in this commentary as it does in many (not all) of his works. While definitely not recommended as a first commentary as sometimes I feel he misses the flow and intention of the texts, it is definitely a helpful commentary to reference. Even where you may disagree, his efforts at understanding the social and political implications and applications for the church today is worth the exercise in thinking. But it is probably not worth its rather high price to buy.

Mid-level commentary with helpful sidebars and accompanying CD-Rom. "Connections" section designed to stimulate theological reflection. [Full Review]