1 Kings: The Wisdom And the Folly (Focus on the Bible)

The Gospel Coalition blog has been rating commentaries, and this one got a very high rating. Since I'm starting a sermon series on Elijah, I got a copy from Amazon. I was surprised, as it is not a typical scholarly/academic commentary, yet it is filled with pastoral insight. Not a lightweight "devotional" commentary, yet one that you'll want to read for the wisdom and exegetical gems gleaned from the text. If you're looking for an analysis of the Hebrew text, go to the Word Biblical Commentary. If you want to understand what the text has to say to real people, this commentary is invaluable. I'd also give high marks to the New American Commentary vol 8 (I & II Kings) by Paul R. House (B&H).

This commentary is wise, pastoral, interesting, and even funny. The picture is just a random sample to give you an idea of the way Ralph Davis writes. I highly recommend anything he has had published. Very helpful. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed in any of Davis' commentaries.

This is a commentary that brings many other commentator's to the table, both pro and con to Davis' position. Davis makes the reader so very aware of what is afoot over the vast span of time that 1 Kings covers, and that is what happens when mankind, meddles in 1st commandment stuff. This is timeless in its teaching. Man refusing to believe that God has spoken, that we are to have no other gods before us. When writing of Solomon, Davis notes, "The text is not interested in Solomon's politics but in his affections." This is true for all the characters that follow. When Davis writes, "the problem is not wealth or luxury or high handedness or wisdom or popularity or renown or splendor or achievement but other gods. First commandment stuff," he summarizes the problem and the issue for mankind. This teaching is timeless in its truth. God is sovereign and when we meddle in First Commandment stuff what happens is, and I quote Davis: "What happens when one make first commandment compromises? One meets the anger of the Lord." I highly recommend this book.

Davis is a skilled expository with a solid view of Scripture. He takes the text as presented instead of twisting it to reflect modern sensibility. His humor and wit allow him to stand apart from other conservative commentators as he explains the text with knowledge and applies it to everyday life.

This book by DRD was a tremendous although accidental find for me. I was preaching through the life of Elijah in the summer of 2015 and got this book on the second message or so that I preached. DRD does some excellent background into the history surrounding Elijah and his interactions with Elisha, Ahab, and Jezebel. I would recommend it for anyone who is a preacher or just for personal devotional work.

If you have never read Ralph Davis' commentaries, you are missing a real treat! He has a depth of insight and the way he applies the Scriptures is truly fantastic. His academic ability is shown, but he does not over power you with it. His OT commentaries are great for Bible study and seeing how an ancient text applies in the 21st century. If you don't own them, you need to get them today.

Another excellent commentary from Dale Ralph Davis. I absolutely devour his books and consequently have tons of notes written all over the margins of my Bible. Great book from a great teacher--and it helps that he gets me laughing while he's teaching!

Insightful!

What can I say that hasn't been already said. If anyone is tempted to say that the Old Testament is dry and boring then they should get this for their Pastor's birthday or Christmas present and hopefully see the quality of his preaching on 1 Kings improve. Boring preaching is a crime and there is no excuse for it, especially when there are commentaries of this calibre to be used as a resource! I've recently started preaching on the life of Elijah and, after prayer and setting out my various points, I often find that after reading this I have a great deal of material that it would hardly be worth reading another commentary! Obviously I do read others but I often find that is very little to add. Dale Ralph Davis has a unique touch when it comes to writing, he is a lot of fun to read and yet he provides some real theological depth and reflection on the text. I strongly recommend that before you spend a great deal of your hard earned money on some masterly, heavyweight, academic, and probably as dull as dishwater commentary on the book of 1 Kings that you check this out first as I don't believe you will do much better. I can certainly guarantee you're certainly had more fun reading it, whether for personal Bible study or to preach it.

Enormously helpful. Easy to read, full of helpful insights and application.

Excellent commentary of 1 Kings which brings out good insights into the text and helpful applications for today. A very good resource