“Beginning with the death of David and the rise of Solomon, 1 Kings charts the history of Israel through the divided monarchy, when Ahab reigned in the north and Jehoshaphat reigned in the south. This new translation, with introduction and commentary by biblical scholar Mordechai Cogan, is part of the Anchor Bible Commentary series, viewed by many as the definitive commentaries for use in both Christian and Jewish scholarship and worship. Cogan’s translation brings new immediacy to well-known passages, such as Solomon’s famously wise judgment when asked by two prostitutes to decide their dispute regarding motherhood of a child: “Cut the live son in two! And give half to one and half to the other.” With a bibliography that runs to almost a thousand articles and books, Cogan’s commentary demonstrates his mastery of the political history described by 1 Kings, as well as the themes of moral and religious failure that eventually led to Israel’s defeat and exile.” – Yale University Press

“II Kings (Volume 11 in the acclaimed Anchor Bible) is the chronicle of the raging conflicts that tore the United Kingdom of Israel apart, creating the rival nations of Israel to the north and Judah to the south. It tells of the time of the great prophecies of Elijah and Elisha, and of the legendary conquerors of not only the Jews, but the whole of the Middle East–Sennacherib, Hazael, Tiglath-pileser III, Nebuchadnezzar, and Shalmaneser. The book of II Kings was written with a dual purpose. It provided a chronological history of the divided kingdoms of Israel, from the time of division, through the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and the final exile of the Jews into Babylonia. It also served as a reminder to all Israelite monarchs that their loyalty to the God of Israel, as worshipped in Jerusalem, determined the course of history. In his telling of the story, the book’s author emphasized to his contemporaries and future generations that in order to avert the calamities that befell the Chosen People (their conquest by nonbelievers, the destruction of Jerusalem, and their ignominious exile), they would have to avoid a repetition of the misdeeds of the past. If they remained loyal to their God, their God would remain loyal to them. Complete with maps, charts, photographs, and extra-biblical documentation, II Kings presents an important and illuminating new translation which explores a tumultuous epoch of change that forever affected theological and world history.” – Yale University Press

“The book of Kings is a unique source for understanding the history of Israel from the last days of the united kingdom under David to the eventual fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Presenting Israel’s national history from a divine viewpoint, these narratives measure the kings of Israel and Judah, not by the mark they leave on secular history, but by their ‘doing what is right in the Lord’s sight’. Embedded in this story are enduring lessons of the ways of God with his people in every age.” – IVP Academic

“This book is part of a commentary series which aims to steer a course between a precritical approach to the Bible and the ‘desert of criticism’ (x) to which so much of modern scholarship seems to have led. The series’ approach has been labelled ‘believing criticism’, aimed at speaking to church and academy. . . . Each chapter of the commentary has three parts: a summary, setting the context; detailed discussion in small sections, noting distinctive vocabulary, OT inter-textual allusions and NT links; and additional notes on textual difficulties, shortcomings in the NIV (the text used in the series) and scholarly concerns. Excurses on Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Hezekiah and Josiah ‘in canonical context’ show their typological function for the NT, and give an expository complement to the detailed commentary. The book concludes with a select bibliography (on Kings as narrative, historiography and didactic literature), a subject index and an extensive Scripture index.” – Peggy Roberts

“Gain scholarly insight into the intricacies of both the events and the textual challenges of 1 Kings. Review the succession from David to Solomon, Solomon’s reign and puzzling life and chronologies of the Hebrew kings. Study the geo-political context of Israel and the shape of its international relations as it emerges as a regional power and is eventually split into two kingdoms. Simon Devries writes, “The scene is history; the players are kings and prophets; behind the curtain is the Lord of history, challenging his players to make history the scene of salvific revelation.” – Logos

“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.” – Logos