2 Kings (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 13 | WBC)

by T. R. Hobbs

Publisher:

Word

, 1985

Overview

Experience the tragic drama of 2 Kings as you follow the long descent of Israel and Judah to the destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian exile. T.R. Hobbs argues that 2 Kings was intended to review the past, but also to point to the promised return to the Promised Land. He examines the historical context, textual witnesses, theological themes, and literary techniques of the author of 2 Kings. Hobbs outlines the implications of the prophetic witness in post-monarchy Judah, and examines the source materials for this dramatic historical book. Organized for easy reference, Word Biblical commentaries make an ideal Bible study companion whether you are studying a single passage or a complete biblical book.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The intention of the question is clear, and centers around Naaman’s pride. Naaman, the powerful and wealthy, is asked to accept a gratuitous healing simply by washing himself. The gift which he had brought now fades into insignificance.” (Page 65)

“The phrase פי שנים ‘a double share’ is found elsewhere in Deut 21:17 and indicates that Elisha is asking for the status as rightful heir to the prophetic leader’s role. The phrase indicates twice as much as any other heir, not double the amount Elijah had. V 15 states simply that ‘the spirit of Elijah’ came upon Elisha. This allusion to Deut 21:17 keeps to the fore in this narrative the motif of rightful succession.” (Page 21)

“Elisha’s action for Naaman receives the supreme affirmation from the lips of Jesus himself. In justification of his gentile ministry, Jesus cites, among others, the healing of Naaman, acknowledging fully the aspect of universalism embedded in the narrative and also making the incident a model for his own ministry (Luke 4:27).” (Page 69)

“However, in keeping with the nature of the material in these early chapters of 2 Kings, the writer’s purpose is not to record the fact of history, but rather to explain the role of the prophets, Elisha in particular, in that history.” (Page 38)

“In the story of Naaman (5:1–27) no less than ten characters, or groups of characters, appear in the cast. There are Naaman, his wife, her maid, the king of Syria, the king of Israel, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman’s servants, Elisha’s unnamed messenger, and the additional unidentified servants who carry Gehazi’s loot for him. With the marked increase in characters comes an increase in the number of subplots and ‘scene changes’ which enhance the main incident of the encounter between Naaman and Elisha.” (Page 59)

Product Details

• Title: Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 13: 2 Kings
• Author: T. R. Hobbs
• Series: Word Biblical Commentary
• Volume: 13
• Publisher: Word
• Print Publication Date: 1985
• Logos Release Date: 2002
• Pages: 387
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Commentaries--Collected works; Bible. O.T. 2 Kings › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781418503611, 1418503614
• Resource ID: LLS:29.17.1
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T20:01:40Z

About T. R. Hobbs

T. R. Hobbs is professor of Hebrew and Old Testament interpretation at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario. He is the author of A Time for War: A Study of Warfare in the Old Testament.