The book of Kings tells the story of many failures: how Solomon’s sin led to the division of the monarchy, how Jeroboam’s sin plagued the Northern Kingdom for centuries, and how persistent apostasy resulted in exile for both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Why would anyone want to read such a depressing story? Because one can learn a lot from failure—ideally when other people are doing the failing. The book of Kings tells a tragic story that is meant to be instructive as it teaches lessons about God, idolatry, obedience, and spiritual leadership. A wise reader will listen well to its story. The most fascinating part of Kings is the main character, God himself, as he speaks, heals, judges, sends fiery chariots, and even talks trash. The kings of Kings, however, consistently fail to live up to God’s standards, leaving readers longing for a future ruler, a descendant of David, who will bring the kingdom of heaven to earth (Matt 1:1; 4:17). An investment in the book of Kings will be richly rewarded.
A new commentary for today's world, The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible's grand story.
The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding everyday readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is ideal for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and laypeople alike.
Each volume employs three main, easy-to-use sections designed to help readers live out God's story:
- LISTEN to the Story: Includes complete NIV text with references to other texts at work in each passage, encouraging the reader to hear it within the Bible's grand story.
- EXPLAIN the Story: Explores and illuminates each text as embedded in its canonical and historical setting.
- LIVE the Story: Reflects on how each text can be lived today and includes contemporary stories and illustrations to aid preachers, teachers, and students.
Edited by Scot McKnight and Tremper Longman III, and written by a number of top-notch theologians, The Story of God Bible Commentary series will bring relevant, balanced, and clear-minded theological insight to any biblical education or ministry.
David T. Lamb is the MacRae Professor of Old Testament and Dean of the Faculty at Missio Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his MS in industrial engineering from Stanford. He served on staff with InterVarsity (1986-1999) at Claremont, Redlands (CA), and Penn (PA). He also received an MDiv (Fuller Seminary), and an MPhil and a DPhil (University of Oxford). He is now the Dean of the Faculty and the Allan A. MacRae Professor of Old Testament.
