Best Commentaries on 1 & 2 Kings

Ryken has contributed many excellent volumes to the REC and PTW series and these ones are no exception. (1 Kings: , , ; 2 Kings: , , )

Woodhouse has added to his commentaries on 1 & 2 Samuel with a volume on 1 Kings.

This new volume completes Woodhouse’s acclaimed run from 1 Samuel through 2 Kings. Mitch Chase says, “If you’re studying or teaching 2 Kings, you’ll want Woodhouse’s commentary within arm’s reach,” and Christopher Ash counts the set among his primary reference works for sermon preparation.

– 1 Kings & 2 Kings (Evangelical Exegetical Commentary). These are some of the newer volumes in a series that has just changed publishers. Oswalt is a trusted scholar whose work is likely to make its way to the lists in the near future. (1 Kings: ) (2 Kings: ) Daniel Block calls it “evangelical and biblical scholarship for the church at its finest.”

Compared to many of the Old Testament books, and especially historical books, it seems that there is a quite a good selection of excellent volumes on Kings. At the top of the list is Dale Ralph Davis’ volumes. (You may note that his volumes were also commended for Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.) Davis’ work is ideal for layperson and scholar alike and will be an invaluable aid to understanding and applying these books. (Amazon: , ; Westminster Books: , , Logos: , )

Provan receives the only 5-star recommendation from Tremper Longman who says, “The writing is accessible, and the emphasis is on literary and theological issues, though the notes also address particular exegetical issues.” Longman’s only complaint is that in keeping with the strictures of the NIBC series, the volume is too brief.

House’s commentary is widely praised and finds its way onto almost every one of the experts’ lists. Keith Mathison says, “This is the commentary to which pastors should turn if they are seeking more exegetical detail than is found in the works of Davis mentioned above. House explores historical, literary, canonical, theological, and applicational concerns thoroughly and competently. Highly recommended.”

Wiseman is known and appreciated for his extensive scholarship in Near Eastern literature and archaeology and those interests represent the greatest strengths in his volume on 1 & 2 Kings. While this volume may be slightly more complex than others in the NOTC series, it is still appropriate for any reader, though Longman suggests that Wiseman’s commentary is less valuable than his historical and literary insights.

Cogan and Tadmore together wrote the volume on 2 Kings; a decade later Cogan alone produced the volume on 1 Kings. Mathison both commends them and warns of their weakness: “These commentaries are written from a somewhat critical perspective and should be used with care, but the author’s knowledge of the ancient Near Eastern context makes these works very helpful for those interested in more technical commentaries.” (Amazon: , )