1 Kings is a continuation of a narrative of the history of Israel which begins in 1 Samuel and continues through into 1 & 2 Kings. While we so often struggle with the events and issues of the book of 1st Kings, Ralph Davis helps us to see how it we can apply to the contemporary settings of the 21st century. As usual Ralph Davis uses pastoral application and laces it with his own sense of humor. He is noted for tackling scholarship head on.
Focus on the Bible commentaries are popular level commentaries especially useful for pastors and small group leaders. They are also useful for personal devotions and spiritual growth. The series holds to the inerrancy of scripture and the uniqueness of Christ in salvation.
Endorsements
"... Dale Ralph Davis has provided yet another fine exposition of an Old Testament Book (he has previously published expositions of Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel with the same publisher)...It is apparent that Davis is well informed in the scholarly discussion of First Kings, but his purpose is not to display his learning. Rather, based on a full awareness of the issues in the text, he seeks to expound the text properly incorporating some illustrations and application. In this way Davis provides a model for preaching from First Kings - a task which often appears quite daunting. On the one hand he does not get bogged down in details failing to get to what God is actually saying in the text and what we are to do about it. On the other hand he shows that carefully reading the text is necessary in order to grasp what God is saying rather than reading in whatever we want to find. I especially appreciate his sensitivity to structure and flow of thought as well as his careful connections across the covenants. I think pastors will find this volume very helpful in the task of preaching." - The Founders Journal
"... The joy for all who would turn to these pages is simply that they bring Old Testament history out of Israel's past and into the church's present in a most distinctive manner. They are bound to refresh, enthuse, solemnize and bless." - The Banner of Truth Magazine
"...this exposition enables the contemporary reader to breath the air of 1 Kings, re-live its challenges, and above all, to encounter the personal God who speaks and acts throughout its pages. This is a book to unsettle spiritual complacency and challenge us to a deep integrity in our relationship with the living God." - David Jackman, Past President, The Proclamation Trust, London
"... The author has a clear grasp of both the text and of contemporary scholarship, yet presents a commentary which is not only readable but witty, and share in application. The commentary chapters are each little sermons, with headings ready-made. The section on Jeroboam's golden calves is entitled "Bootleg Religion" and its three headings are: The Need for False Religion, The Subtlety of False Religion, The Stupidity of False Religion. It is almost too tempting for the preacher to follow this pattern rather than preach his own sermon! But these books should not be restricted only to preachers. They are very helpful commentaries for the general reader and for devotional use." - Reformation Today
"One of the reasons I enjoy Davis's exposition so much is that I feel confident that he has done his exegetical homework, and so is not just delivering blessed, unhistorical thoughts on the text. Yet at the same time, he applies the text so well." - Simon Gathercole, Director of Studies, Theology and Religious Studies, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, Cambridge
"The well-known episodes in the life of Elijah are handled with skill and spiritual insight. I cannot recall a Bible exposition more lucidly applying the truth set forth to my heart. It is difficult within the brief compass of this review to do full justice to this excellent book. I can only advise the reader to waste no time in acquiring it." - Evangelical Times
"‘Robust' - that's the word ...a robust understanding, defence, explanation and application of First Kings as the Word of God. Here is no ‘First Kings in my own words' - the boring, fruitless fate of most commentaries on Bible History - but a delicious feast of truth, proof that the ancients were right to call the historians ‘prophets'." - Alec Motyer, (1924–2016) Well known Bible expositor and commentary writer
Dale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.
