1 & 2 Kings

Introduction

We now come to one and two Kings. As with Samuel, the two books were originally a single item.There are a few bright spots in these books, but mostly it is a narrative of the decline of Israel. It runs from the death of David (approx 970 BC) to the Babylonian conquest in 586 BC). We are told again and again of kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord. Very early on there is the division of Israel into two kingdoms, the northern kingdom of Israel, and the southern kingdom of Judah. Israel went off the rails first and was conquered by Assyria, but Judah followed the same path and was conquered by Babylon.

The final text of the two books was put together soon after 586 BC. There are several references in the books to the annals of the kings of Israel, and the annals of the kings of Judah, along with a reference to the annals of Solomon. None of these texts exist any longer, but were presumably used as a source of information.

The books do give lots of historical information, but their primary concern is with the relationship of Israel’s fate and God’s covenant promises. In particular, God’s promise to David that he would always have a king on the throne. In brief, the pattern is that when Israel/Judah sins things go badly, when they seek to follow the covenant things go well. 

Crossway Expository Commentary Volume 3: 1 Samuel-2 Chronicles (2019)

The commentary on 1 & 2 Kings is by J Gary Miller