Continental Commentary Series: 1 & 2 Kings (CC)

by Volkmar Fritz

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 2003

Overview

This volume provides a readable introduction to the narrative books of 1 & 2 Kings appropriate for the student, pastor, and scholar. Fritz combines historical, literary, and archaeological approaches in an engaging synthesis. While he addresses issues of the deuteronomic redaction, the author does not become bogged down in technical discussions or allow this to overshadow the holistic interpretation of the text.

Contents

Top Highlights

“One can experience God only in the silence that focuses the individual on himself or herself and on the act of listening; this silence is appropriate to the nature of God and to the experience of God through his word. God reveals himself mysteriously.” (Page 198)

“Solomon’s request is directed only toward the ‘listening heart.’ According to the biblical understanding the heart is not the place of feelings but the center of understanding and will. The heart determines the spiritual direction of a person, which is also the place through which God influences and determines the human person.³ To be in line with divine advice and will the human being has to listen to God in his or her heart.” (Page 38)

“The instructions point ahead to the further history of Israel, and they are determined by the view that Yahweh as the lord of history influences the course of history.” (Page 198)

“Of the southern kings next to Joash only the ‘reformers’ Hezekiah and Josiah are viewed in a positive light because they tried to establish the worship of Yahweh alone in the temple of Jerusalem. The stipulation of the centralization of the cult as found in Deuteronomy 12 is thus the guiding principle for the verdict on each epoch, especially in the books of Kings.” (Page 2)

“Cloak and miracle may be said to legitimize Elisha.” (Page 235)

Praise for the Print Edition

Fritz’s commentary is a fine addition to the Continental Commentaries Series. It combines an appropriate mix of historical, archaeological, geographical, and literary critical analysis. It this it is a fine work for both students and scholars. In my view, it is superior to other recent volumes on Kings.

—Marvin A. Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology, and co-editor of the Forms of the Old Testament Literature Series (17 vols.)

Product Details

• Title: Continental Commentary Series: 1 & 2 Kings
• Author: Volkmar Fritz
• Translator: Anselm Hagedorn
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 462

About Volkmar Fritz

Volkmar Fritz was Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology at the University of Giessen, Germany. He was also the Director of the Deutsches Evangelisches Institut für Altertumswissenschaft des Heiligen Landes. His numerous works include The City in Ancient Israel, Das Buch Josua, Tempel und Zelt, and Israel in der Wuste. He was also co-editor of The Origins of the Ancient Israelite States. Fritz died in 2007.