First and Second Kings: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching

by Richard D. Nelson

Overview

Richard Nelson examines the books of Kings and treats the text as theological literature, emphasizing the literary impact of this important part of the Old Testament canon. Nelson recognizes King's as a useful though uncritical source of historical information, its purpose to transform the beliefs of its first readers, to get them to re-evaluate their identity before God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664238667
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	09/03/2012
Series:	Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Richard D. Nelson is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and W. J. A. Power Professor of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. He is also an ordained pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Reading the Book of Kings Today 1

What to Expect from This Commentary 2

The Original Audience 4

The Structure of Kings 8

Kings as Theological Literature 12

Commentary

Part 1 A Kingdom of Shalom 15

I Kings 1-10

1 Solomon Sits on the Throne 15

2 Politics and the Promise of God 23

3:1-15 The Pattern for Kingship 31

3:16-5:18 Wisdom and Prosperity (I) 37

6-7 Building the Temple 43

8 Dedicating the Temple 49

9:1-9 Promise and Threat 60

9:10-10:29 Wisdom and Prosperity (II) 62

Part 2 Shalom Is Broken 69

I Kings 11-16

11 Solomon's Sin and Its Result 69

12:1-32 Rehoboam's Folly and Jeroboam's Sin 77

12:33-13:32 God's Word Against Bethel 82

13:33-14:20 God's Word Against Jeroboam 90

14:21-16:34 Paradigmatic History (I) 97

Part 3 Israel Under the Prophetic Word 107

I Kings 17:1-11 Kings 8:15

17 Life in the Midst of Death 107

18 The Lord, He Is God! 114

19 Elijah "Burns Out" and Is Recommissioned 122

20 Ahab Violates the Ban 130

21 Royal Tyranny and Prophetic Condemnation 138

22:1-40 God's Ruse Against Ahab 145

22:41-II Kings 1:18 Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah 153

2 Elisha Inherits the Mantle 157

3 A Miracle for Moab 164

4 Four Gifts of Life 170

5 Naaman Comes to Faith 176

6:1-8:15 Stories of Prophetic Power 184

Part 4 Israel's Last Chance and the End 197

II Kings 8:16-17

8:16-10 Fruitless Reform in Israel (Jehu) 197

11-12 The Fruit of Reform in Judah (Joash) 206

13-15 Paradigmatic History (II) 215

16 Ahaz and Judah's Open Future 223

17 God Casts Israel Out of Sight 228

Part 5 Judah: Paradox of Promise and Punishment 235

II Kings 18-25

18-19 God Versus Sennacherib 235

20 Reflections on Jerusalem's Deliverance 243

21 Manasseh, the Worst King Ever 247

22-23:30 Josiah, the Best King Ever 252

23:31-25:26 The Promise Dismantled 261

25:27-30 Can the Promise Live? 265

Bibliography 271