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1 Kings ⇐ ⇒ 1 Chronicles
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More commentaries on 2 Kings:
Commentaries on the Whole Old Testament,
Whole Bible Commentaries
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Order of Contents 15+
Best 5
Commentaries 7
Early Church 3
Harmonies of Kings 2
Christ in 1
Special Subjects:
Temple 4
Elijah & Elisha 15+
Naaman & Josiah 4
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The Best Commentaries on 2 Kings
Practical & Devotional
De Graaf, S.G. – ‘Judah with Ephraim’, ‘Ephraim Against Judah Again’ & ‘Judah’ in Promise & Deliverance, vol. 2: The Failure of Israel’s Theocracy (Ontario: Paideia Press, 1977), pp. 283-398
De Graff is a Dutch Reformed author who focuses on the unfolding of the Covenant through history. He writes in an easy to read, but insightful style.
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Intermediate
The Reformation
Cooper, Derek & Martin Lohrmann – Reformation Commentary on Scripture: 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles Buy
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More
Bahr, Karl – 2 Kings (1872) 590 pp. This is the same work that is in Lange’s Commentary
*** – ‘It must have cost great effort to make the homiletical part of this volume as good as it is. It is a treasury to the preacher, and is all the more precious because we have next to nothing upon the books of the Kings.’
Kitto, John – Solomon & the Kings in Daily Bible Illustrations: being Original Readings for a Year, on subjects relating to Sacred History, Biography, Geography, Antiquities & Theology, vol. 4
*** – ‘Full of deeply interesting matter.’ ‘They are not exactly a commentary, but what marvelous expositions you have there! You have reading more interesting than any novel that was ever written, and as instructive as the heaviest theology. The matter is quite attractive and fascinating, and yet so weighty, that the man who shall study those eight volumes thoroughly, will not fail to read his Bible intelligently and with growing interest.’ – Spurgeon
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Advanced
Keil & Delitzsch – 2 Kings
** – ‘Distinguished by careful investigation of the meaning of the text. This is a most important help to the expositor. The student will not, however, find much in the way of reflections and doctrines.’ – Spurgeon
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Commentaries on 2 Kings
Introductory & Practical
Whitcomb, John C. – Solomon to the Exile: Studies in Kings & Chronicles Buy (1971)
‘An ideal book for discussion groups. Recreates the OT setting, graphically depicts the cause of decline in Israel and Judah, and draws valid lessons from these incidents which are applied to the needs of the present.’ – Cyril J. Barber
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Intermediate
1800’s
Allen, John – A Spiritual Exposition of the Old Testament: from Joshua to the End of the Psalms (1816)
‘Spiritual reflections after the high Calvinistic school. Some preachers cannot see Christ where He is, but Allen finds Him where He is not. There is in these reflections much godly savor, but very little exposition.’ – Spurgeon
This Allen was not the one that translated Calvin’s Institutes. James Darling said that Allen was an Antinomian (one who believes that Christians are not bound by moral injunctions). Antinomians, not believing that moral injunctions should be derived from God’s Word, often replaced this large aspect of Scripture’s teaching with finding Christ everywhere in the Bible, especially the Old Testament.
Bush, George – Scripture Questions Designed Principally for Adult Bible Classes: Deut.-Esther
Bush was a Biblical scholar, a professor of oriental literature in New York City University, and initially a presbyterian minister.
Farrar, F.W. – The Second Book of Kings in The Expositor’s Bible (1894) 520 pp. Reprinted by Klock & Klock
Farrar was a liberal.
‘Valuable expository studies by a great preacher, a profound scholar, and a man of unparalleled literary activity, who exercised considerable influence as a theologian and lecturer. Manifests a marked [liberal] tendency [not recommended] to accept the text of the LXX [Septuagint, the Greek translation of the O.T.] over the MT [Masoretic Text, the Hebrew].’ – Cyril J. Barber
Rawlinson, George – The Kings of Israel & Judah (1889) 260 pp. Reprinted by Klock & Klock
Rawlinson was a Bible-believing conservative.
‘Still valuable for its correlation of sacred and profane history.’ – – Cyril J. Barber
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Advanced
Burney, Charles Fox – Notes on the Hebrew Text of the Books of Kings, with an Introduction & Appendix (1902) 440 pp.
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The Early Church on 2 Kings
Compilations
Conti, Marco – ‘2 Kings’ in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (IVP, 2008), pp. 138-241
O’Kane, Martin – 1 & 2 Kings Through the Centuries (Blackwell, 2022) 230 pp.
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Individual
Ambrosiaster – Question on 2 Kings 2:10 at Patristic Bible Commentary
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Harmonies of the Kings
Geneste, Maximillian – The Parallel Histories of Judah and Israel, with copious explanatory notes, vol. 1, 2 (1843) A commentary is given on the relevant scripture texts, which are arranged in a harmony. Relevant sections from the books of the prophets are included also.
** “The explanatory notes are mostly from other authors. The work has a very noble appearance, and may be useful as showing the run of Biblical history; but Barth’s Bible Manual [under Whole Bible Commentaries] would answer every purpose.” – Spurgeon
Crockett, William Day – The Books of the Kings of Judah & Israel: A Harmony of the Books of Samuel, Kings & Chronicles (1897) 350 pp.
‘An attempt to reconcile and correlate the history of the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles into chronological sequence.’ – Cyril J. Barber
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Christ in 2 Kings
Browne, Robert – Christ in the Prophets: Kings (1873)
* “Of the High Church order, and praised by the Saturday Review. What worse need be said? Yet will we add that the savor of Christ in these books saves them from unqualified condemnation.” – Spurgeon
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The Temple
The Best
Edersheim, Alfred – The Temple: its Ministry & its Services, as they were at the Time of Jesus Christ (1881)
This work is scholarly, but readable, about the historical details of the temple as it was renovated by Herod in the 1st century, which was slightly different than as prescribed in the books of Chronicles. For more spiritual exposition, see one of the puritans below.
Edersheim was raised an orthodox Jew, but was converted under John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan in the Free Church of Scotland. Later he became a 1st century scholar in the Church of England.
*** – ‘This will supply the student with all that he needs upon the subject in hand.’ – Spurgeon
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Puritans
Bunyan, John – Solomon’s Temple Spiritualized, or Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to let us more easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths (†1688) 140 pp.
** – ‘A marvelous display of allegorizing genius: full of Gospel truth. Bunyan hammers away at each type, but no one may call it tinkering.’ – Spurgeon
Lee (1625–1691) was an English puritan academic and minister.
** – ‘Of course, as will be inferred from its date, this work is of the antique order, but it is profoundly learned, and goes into architectural and ritualistic details, explaining them spiritually with much sweetness and suggestiveness.’ – Spurgeon
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More
Pierce, Samuel – A General Account of the Book of Psalms, with their Use & Place in the Worship of God under the OT Dispensation, also a brief description of the Temple, in its Furniture, etc. & a spiritual & typical exhibition of Christ in those Sacred Memorials of his Person & Salvation (1805) 71 pp.
Pierce (1746-1829) was an English Reformed Baptist.
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On Bible Characters in 2 Kings
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Elijah 1 Kings 17-19, 21; 2 Kings 1-2
The Best
Krummacher, F.W. – Elijah the Tishbite 460 pp.
*** – ‘Too well known and approved to need any commendation from us.’ – Spurgeon
MacDuff, John – The Prophet of Fire (1863) 390 pp.
*** – ‘Dr. Macduff writes popularly, yet he is by no means weak or shallow. He is to the young minister all the more useful, because he has worked out the problem of making sound thought intelligible to the multitude.’ – Spurgeon
Pink, A.W. – The Life of Elijah Buy (1940-1942) Note that the online edition is only 90 pp. in 18 chs. The Banner of Truth paperback edition (1956-76) is 313 pp. in 35 chs.
“An in-depth study. Revealing and challenging.” – Cyril J. Barber
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More
Fuller, Andrew – ‘The Appearance to Elijah’ 2 pp. on 1 Kings 19:1-21 in Works, vol. 1, p. 617 ff.ff.
Howat, H.T. – Elijah, the Desert Prophet (1868)
** “Very pircturesque and poetical. A work to be read for enjoyment.” – Spurgeon
Myer, F.B. – Elijah & the Secret of his Power 228 pp.
Meyer (1847–1929) was an English, baptist pastor who wrote numerous, very good devotional works.
Taylor, William – Elijah the Prophet (1889) 239 pp.
Taylor (1829–1895) was a Scottish Presbyterian who later ministered in America at Broadway Tabernacle Congregationalist Church in New York.
Whyte, Alexander – Elijah in Bible Characters, vol. 1 (d. 1921)
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A Drama
Bayne, Peter – The Days of Jezebel; an Historical Drama (1872)
** “A fine poetic drama, worthy of quotation by preachers; but hardly in the line of works contemplated by this Catalogue.” – Spurgeon
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Elisha 2 Kings 2-9, 13
The Best
Edersheim, Alfred – Elisha the Prophet, the Lessons of his History and Times (1873)
Edersheim was raised an orthodox Jew, but was converted under John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan in the Free Church of Scotland. Later he became a 1st century scholar in the Church of England.
** – ‘This author is always interesting, showing close acquaintance with Jewish customs, and knowing how to utilize his information.’ – Spurgeon
Krummacher, F.W.
Elisha 1838
*** – ‘Of this we may say as we did of the same author’s Elijah – it needs no commending from us.’ ‘[Henry Blunt] says that, had he known of Krummacher’s having written upon the subject, he should not have attempted it himself. A wise observation. What shall he do that cometh after a King, or after Krummacher?’ – Spurgeon
The Last Days of Elisha Buy Ref (1854) 147 pp. in 10 chs.
This is different than the work above.
Pink, A.W. – Gleanings from Elisha (1974) 254 pp.
Stewart, Alexander – A Prophet of Grace: an Expository & Devotional Study of the Life of Elisha Buy (Edinburgh: W.F. Henderson) 265 pp.
Stewart was of the Free Church of Scotland.
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Blunt, Henry – Lectures upon the History of Elisha 1839 300 pp.
** “We like Blunt better upon Elisha than upon any other portion of Scripture. He says that, had he known of Krummacher’s having written upon the subject, he should not have attempted it himself. A wise observation. What shall he do that cometh after a King, or after a Krummacher?” – Spurgeon
Dothie, W.P. – The History of the Prophet Elisha (1872)
** “Sketchy. Not very deep, but interesting.” – Spurgeon
Glyn, George – Life of Elisha, in 11 Plain, Practical Discourses (1857)
** “Evangelical and simple. Ministers do not need it.” – Spurgeon
Whyte, Alexander – Elisha in Bible Characters, vol. 1 (d. 1921)
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Naaman 2 Kings 5
Puritan
Rogers, Daniel – Naaman the Syrian, his Disease & Cure Discovering lively to the Reader the Spiritual Leprosy of Sin and Self-Love, together with the Remedies, viz. Self-Denial & Faith (1642)
Rogers (1573-1652) was a reformed puritan.
*** – ‘A huge volume of 898 folio pages, almost large enough to have loaded one of Naaman’s mules. It is a work which exhausts the subject and turns it to earnest evangelical uses.’ – Spurgeon
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More
Bullock, Charles – The Syrian Leper: a Chapter of Bible History Expounded (1861)
** “Telling in style, and earnestly evangelical. These chapters are good specimens of popular expounding.” – Spurgeon
MacDuff, John – The Healing Waters; or, The Story of Naaman, an Old Testament Chapter on Providence and Grace (1873)
*** – ‘In Dr. MacDuff’s best manner: the story of Naaman is admirably handled, and made to teach the gospel with much freshness.’
Whyte, Alexander – Naaman in Bible Characters, vol. 1 (d. 1921)
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Jehu 2 Kings 9-10
Lane (1605-1685) was a reformed, Anglican clergyman, who ‘seems to have been an exemplary parish clergyman’.
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Josiah 2 Kings 22-23
Whyte, Alexander – Josiah in Bible Characters, vol. 1 d. 1921
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