College Press NIV Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings

by Jesse C. Long

Publisher:

College Press

, 2002

Overview

1 & 2 Kings tell of David's death, the golden age of Solomon's reign, how the nation divided into two kingdoms, and their eventual captivity by heathen powers. Solomon, David's son, began his rule with great wealth, glory, and power, but it ended in disgrace.

The spiritual condition of Israel was of paramount importance to the writer amidst political changes. The author of Kings holds up the history of Israel and Judah before the captives to teach them that the only way to freedom is to repent of idolatry, return to God, keep the covenant, and trust in the divine promises. He seeks to awaken in them a conviction of the truth of this teaching and to strengthen them in this conviction.

Key Features

• Biblically sound exegesis
• Clear exposition
• Objective approach
• Concise introduction
• New International Version of the Bible
• Key word translation
• Easy to use design format
• Practical footnotes

Contents

Top Highlights

“Elisha reaches out to those who do not possess power or prestige and even to those on the periphery of society: a widow, a bereaved woman, poor prophets, and ‘the people.’¹ In each story, a problem is solved by the prophet for the benefit of these representatives of the powerless in Israelite society. The fact that nameless recipients of God’s grace are not important characters reinforces this emphasis.² In this way, Elisha personifies the meaning of his name (אֱלִישָׁע‎, ˒ĕlîšā˓, ‘God/my God saves’) and prefigures the Messiah, not only as a miracle worker, but also as one whose mission includes the outcast of society (cf. Luke 4:16–19).” (Page 309)

“Only, Elijah is substituted for Joshua. In the story of Elijah to follow, there will be numerous allusions to Moses and Joshua. With the reference to Joshua in 16:34 (that is associated with Elijah in 17:16), the narrator introduces a Moses/Joshua paradigm that will serve as a construct for reading and interpreting Elijah’s story. As Joshua (and Moses) served Yahweh, so Elijah stands in a special place as his representative in Israel.” (Page 207)

“Arameans flee at the sound of the four advancing lepers. Yahweh delivers Samaria with lepers! The outcast/ cursed become the vehicle for God’s salvation.” (Page 342)

“Herein lies a primary theological issue of Kings: How is God’s sovereign will enacted with imperfect people and institutions? How does God’s will interface with free will, especially when Israel and her kings choose another course? This is the real tension of Kings. The answer will call attention to Yahweh’s power and grace, for he will remember his promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David and emerge as the sole hero of the story.” (Page 58)

Product Details

• Title: 1 and 2 Kings
• Author: Jesse C. Long
• Series: College Press NIV Commentary
• Publisher: College Press
• Print Publication Date: 2002
• Logos Release Date: 2006
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. 1 Kings › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. 2 Kings › Commentaries
• Resource ID: LLS:CPC_12KI
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-04-26T02:09:41Z

About Jesse C. Long

Jesse C. Long is Professor of Old Testament, Syro-Palestinian Archaeology, and Homiletics at Lubbock Christian University. He received his B.A. from David Lipscomb College, his M.A.(Bible) from the Alabama Christian School of Religion, his M.E.d. from Georgia State University, his M.Phil. from Drew University, his M.A. (Syro-Palestinian Archaeology), and his Ph.D(Old Testament) from Drew University. He has had numerous articles published in books and periodicals.