Loading…

1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary is unavailable, but you can change that!

The book of Kings is a unique source for understanding the history of Israel from the last days of the united kingdom under David to the eventual fall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Presenting Israel’s national history from a divine viewpoint, these narratives measure the kings of Israel and Judah not by the mark they leave on secular history, but by their “doing what is right in the Lord’s...

the Hebrews (Lev. 19:28; Deut. 14:1). Baal’s priests acted like ecstatic prophets (v. 29, NIV, frantic prophesying; better RSV ‘ranted and raved’). This rare form of the verb (Heb. hitnabbē’) is used of mad actions (cf. 2 Kgs 9:11; Jer. 29:26). The fact that there is no response indicates Baal’s impotence (Jer. 10:5). 30. Elijah’s actions (vv. 30–39) underscored the significance of the test. 31. The repaired altar—the twelve stones represented the true Israel (as at Gilgal, Josh. 4:2–5) and the twelve
Page 182