1 and 2 Kings
in Apollos Old Testament Commentary
Pages
615
Publisher
IVP Academic
Published
3/28/2014
ISBN-13
9781783590315
The books of 1 and 2 Kings cover the history of Israel from the last days of the united kingdom under David to the eventual fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Within these books, the deuteronomic code—'doing what is right in the Lord's sight'—provides a framework by which monarchic history is measured. In the kings' cultic failures lies the apostasy of the nation and its eventual exile. This apostasy centers on Israel's commitment to worship YHWH exclusively, and to worship according to deuteronomistic norms within the Jerusalem temple as the locus of YHWH's covenant presence. To safeguard the kings' commitments, YHWH's prophets loom large in 1 and 2 Kings: they herald YHWH's purposes, warn of his judgment for apostasy, and woo his people back to the full experience of covenant life.
Lissa M. Wray Beal's valuable commentary examines the successes and failures of monarchy in the divided kingdoms. It works with the final form of the biblical text and pursues historiographical, narrative and theological questions, including the relation of each chapter's themes to biblical theology. While it focuses on theological and narrative concerns, the commentary gives due attention to complex historical issues. It seeks to provide a nuanced reading that is faithful to the text's message.
Lissa M. Wray Beal's valuable commentary examines the successes and failures of monarchy in the divided kingdoms. It works with the final form of the biblical text and pursues historiographical, narrative and theological questions, including the relation of each chapter's themes to biblical theology. While it focuses on theological and narrative concerns, the commentary gives due attention to complex historical issues. It seeks to provide a nuanced reading that is faithful to the text's message.
Collections
This book appears in the following featured collections.
- Commentaries by Female Scholars by John Dyer
- Top Old Testament Commentaries by Crux Sola (Nijay Gupta's Blog)
- TGC: Scholarly Commentaries by The Gospel Coalition
Reviews
The Gospel Coalition
June 1, 2024
June 1, 2024
Beal is a highly regarded scholar who has written an articulate and practical commentary. She dives into introductory matters, contextual exegesis, and the varying methodological approaches to these books. A solid resource for both scholars and pastors.
[Full Review]
ThomasCreedy
April 14, 2023
April 14, 2023
[This is the conclusion from my full review] This is a superb commentary. Wray Beal is both focused on the word limits and aims of the series, and also theologically engaged in hopeful eschatological reading. Congruent with the aims of the AOTC, this volume is detailed and careful, but also readable and not impenetrable for the non-scholar, or those whose Hebrew is either non-existent or lacking. Of the Kings commentaries I’ve read all the way through (the aforementioned Leithart, Olley in the Bible Speaks Today, and Wiseman’s TOTC) this is now my favourite. I’d recommend it for someone looking to step up a gear devotionally, for pastors looking for a thoughtful commentary with helpful hopeful theology (And with both books of Kings in one volume), and for those interested in a technical evangelical engagement with the text. 5/5
[Full Review]
Crux Sola (Nijay Gupta's Blog) (Nathan Lovell)
October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021
It’s rare to find a commentary on 1–2 Kings that pays attention to textual, historical, literary and theological questions all without becoming burdensome. This commentary is a treasure trove that somehow packs it all in, and more. Even though I’ve listed it in the “technical” section, it’s a must-own.
[Full Review]