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1 Kings 2 Resources

Updated: Mon, 02/24/2025 - 18:25 By admin
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1 KINGS 2 RESOURCES


Wisdom of God was in Solomon 1 Ki 3:16-27, 28



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Kings of Israel
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1 Chronicles covers the same period of time as 2 Samuel and both describe the reign of David (See the Timeline above) whereas 2 Chronicles covers the same period of time as 1 Kings and 2 Kings and both describe the time from Solomon to the Babylonian Captivity. In Chronicles the kings of Israel (See table below where Jeroboam I identifies first of the kings of the 10 Northern tribes) are not mentioned unless they do something that relates to the kings of Judah. Note that the word "chronicle" means "a continuous and detailed account of historical events arranged in order of time." In First and Second Chronicles God has given us a very accurate history so that we can know all that He wants us to know about the period of the kings.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
SAMUEL, KINGS & CHRONICLES
SAMUEL &
KINGS		 FIRST & SECOND
CHRONICLES
Prophetic Perspective:
Message of Judgment		 Priestly Perspective:
Message of hope
Prophetic authorship:
Emphasizes the prophetic ministry
and moral concerns		 Priestly authorship:
Emphasizes the priestly ministry
and spiritual concerns
The Fortunes
of the Thrones		 Continuity
of the Davidic line
More Negative:
Rebellion & Tragedy		 More Positive:
Apostasy, but hope in face of tragedy
Record of both
Israel and Judah		 Record primarily
of Judah
Man's Failings God's Faithfulness
Morality Redemption
Emphasizes the throne
of earthly kings		 Earthly throne (temple)
of the heavenly King
Emphasizes Kings
and Prophets		 Emphasizes the Temple
and the Priests
Political
and kingly		 Religious
and priestly
Compiled by authors
soon after the events		 Compiled by by a priest:
Ezra many years after the events
Written shortly after the
beginning of the captivity in Babylon		 Written shortly after
the return from the captivity

Adapted Wilkinson's Talk thru the Bible & Jensen's Survey of the OT

ARCHIVE.ORG
BOOKS AVAILABLE
TO BORROW OR READ

Explanation - The following list includes not only commentaries but other Christian works by well known evangelical writers. Most of the resources below are newer works (written after 1970) which previously were available only for purchase in book form or in a Bible computer program. The resources are made freely available by archive.org but have several caveats - (1) they do not allow copy and paste, (2) they can only be checked out for one hour (but can be checked out immediately when your hour expires giving you time to read or take notes on a lengthy section) and (3) they require creating an account which allows you to check out the books free of charge. To set up an account click archive.org and then click the picture of the person in right upper corner and enter email and a password. That's all you have to do. Then you can read these more modern resources free of charge! I have read or used many of these resources but not all of them so ultimately you will need to be a Berean (Acts 17:11+) as you use them. I have also selected works that are conservative and Biblically sound. If you find one that you think does not meet those criteria please send an email at https://www.preceptaustin.org/contact. The resources are listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name and some include reviews of the particular resource. 

HINT WHEN BOOKS SAY "UNAVAILABLE" - "Borrow unavailable" means that someone else has it checked out for an hour. And if they are savvy and really like using it, they will immediately check it out after the hour expires and this keeps it from being shown as "Available." I use a few tricks when this happens and will use a popular commentary in Genesis to demonstrate. 

(1) If I have the exact quote from the book and want to see the context, I search with a few words from the quote (putting them in quotation marks so that they are the specific words searched). That will allow me to open the page and see the context. Here is an example from Gordon J Wenham's Genesis 1-15 which is almost always listed as "Borrow Unavailable." 

(a) So I have this quote from Genesis 3 and want to see the context - "Now, explicit characterization of actors in the story is rare in Hebrew narrative, so it seems likely that in noting the snake’s shrewdness the narrator is hinting that his remarks should be examined very carefully" 

(b) I selected "Now, explicit characterization" and searched it (with the quotes) and found 1 hit, clicked it and retrieved the page with the quote in context. See the page with this quote and notice it allows you to read 2 pages. 

(2) A second trick I use is to put one word in the title in search. 

(a) E.g., I searched "genesis" and retrieved 522 hits. Note the page numbers it retrieved which is most of the pages. 

(b) You will have to hunt to find what you want but this can occasionally be helpful. 

(c) Sometimes you encounter "Limited Preview. Some pages are omittedl" You can try trick #4 but it may not work. Then you have to wait until you can borrow the book. 

(3) Now let's say you want to look up comments on Genesis 15, the story of Abraham.

(a) Search "genesis 15" and you retrieve 8 hits and notice you have access to almost 12 pages of comments. Remember each hit gives you access to 2 pages. 

(b) Click this one and you see beginning comments on Genesis 15:1-21. 

(4) ONE CAVEAT - Let's say you perform the maneuvers listed above, click on the page and it is blacked out. What you can try to REFRESH that page and many times (not always) it will allow you to read that page. Note this will not always work because it will say "Some pages are omitted." 

(5) You need to be "creative" in how you search for specific "unavailable" book. Sometimes I just put a number in the search queue. E.g., I put 7 in the search box and it retrieved 518 hits. Yes, you have to hunt around, but this might allow you to read the comments you are seeking. 

(6) One other trick I use since these book do not allow copy and paste is I will do my search and find a quote I want to copy in the actual search column. E.g., search Wenham's popular book on Genesis 1-15 for "genesis 15." Notice the first hit on page 300. You can copy and paste this hit quote shown below.

Page 300 The uncountability of Abram’s descendants is a perennial theme of Genesis: 15:5; 16:10; 28:14; 32:12. Balaam, the prophet hired by the king of Moab to curse Israel, said Israel was already beyond counting in his day (Num 23:10). Solomon said the same thing some centuries later (1 Kgs 3:8), though of course both eras were famed for their censuses. The NT sees believing Gentiles as well as faithful Jews as being counted as Abram’s descendants (Rom 4:16—18; Gal 3:29), so that in heaven there will be “a great multitude which no man can number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues” (Rev 7:9).

(7) The more you play around with this on a "Borrow unavailable" book, the better you will become at finding what you are looking for. 

NOTE: If you find any other "tricks" that are useful please send me an email. 

1, 2 Kings Commentary  (New American Commentary).By: Paul House (440 pages, 1995)

James Rosscup - This is one of the most helpful more concise evangelical studies. He opens each section with comments relating it with the wider biblical picture, often gives pertinent remarks on verses, and ends sections with apt principles to apply. The well-researched work benefits teachers and preachers and is lucid for lay people. The introduction (27–84) shows carefully informed conservative convictions, with some detail about a single author, chronology, the political context, miracles (which he believes did occur), literary issues, the structure and plot of the two books, theological issues (monotheism vs. idolatry, etc.), and other matters. House often supports comments with pertinent data from other Scripture or outside ancient sources. He deals with many of the problems. The verse by verse remarks at times could offer more, but other works can supplement him (cf. Patterson/Austel, for example).

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Volume 4 - 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job - 1092 pages (1976) 

James Rosscup - Patterson, R. D. and Hermann J. Austel. “1 and 2 Kings,” Expositor’s Bible Commentary is a "Staunch conservative work very well done in detail verse by verse, handling problems, using a wide range of relevant literature, The reader finds both the regular commentary and the notes sections packed with pertinent information."

Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament - 1-2 Kings by Thomas Constable. Dallas Theological Seminary Faculty

James Rosscup - Constable shows awareness of Hebrew word meanings, has much good exegesis and judicious comments on many of the verses, even if brief. On several problem areas he offers helpful data, and reflects awareness of literature. This is a contributive conservative effort.

First and Second Kings by Hubbard, Robert L., 1943- (1991) 252 pages (Everyman's Bible Commentary)

Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament - Warren Wiersbe - always worth checking

With the Word - Devotional Commentary - Warren Wiersbe - chapter analysis

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament by Wiersbe, Warren W 

"Even the most difficult Scriptures come alive as Warren Wiersbe leads you book-by-book through the Old Testament and helps you to see the "big picture" of God's revelation. In this unique volume, you will find: • Introductions and/or outlines for every Old Testament book • Practical expositions of strategic chapters • Special studies on key topics, relating the Old Testament to the New Testament • Easy-to-understand expositions that are practical, preachable, and teachable If you have used Dr. Wiersbe's popular BE series, you know how simple and practical his Bible studies are, with outlines that almost teach themselves. If not, you can now discover a wonderful new resource. This work is a unique commentary on every book of the Old Testament. It contains new material not to be found in the BE series.

Be distinct : standing firmly against the world's tides : OT commentary 2 Kings & 2 Chronicles by Wiersbe, Warren

The Kings of Israel and Judah - George Rawlinson -  online, no restrictions (see table of contents below)

Cyril Barber -  Rawlinson's handling of the remainder of 1 Kings 10-2 Kings 25 provides one of the finest syntheses of biblical history that has ever been written. Rawlinson's chronology is lacking, but this in itself is not sufficient to condemn his work to oblivion....What is important is that here we have a work that makes the OT come alive.

1 & 2 Kings by McGee, J. Vernon

Elijah: Confrontation, Conflict, and Crisis by Howard G Hendricks

James Rosscup - Here are expository messages by one of America’s long-time noted spiritual life speakers, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. Hendricks developed these lessons in Bible conference ministry, making them practical to effect change. They are suggestive for preachers and devotionally stimulating for any readers.

The Communicator's Commentary. 1, 2 Kings By: Dilday, Russell H (Now published as Preacher's Commentary)

Cyril Barber - Dilday, Russell H. One [and] Two Kings. The Communicator's Commentary. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987. A well-articulated commentary. The Introduction is brief and to-the-point. Dilday sees the purpose of these book as illustrating the "Sovereign Lord of History using men and nations to work out his redemptive purposes." Throughout there is evidence of the author's wide reading. Prominence is given, however, to liberal and Baptist writers (a strange mix when one considers the historic roots of the Southern Baptist movement). The comments on the text are very brief. While the chapters are well-written, they lack a homiletic outline. They do follow the text, and Dilday's rhetorical acumen is evident on every page.

James Rosscup - The president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas has given a thoroughly studied, clear, well-illustrated and applied work that furnishes rich assistance to an expositor. Dilday frequently gives different views on an issue and includes many footnotes with further sources for added help.

2 Kings (Word Biblical Commentary)  - T R Hobbs

James Rosscup - He places the writing in the early part of the captivity by one writer, and is thorough on literature pertaining to 2 Kings as well as on matters of text, exegesis and theology. Students can glean considerable material that is worthwhile.

The Politics of God and the Politics of Man Ellul, Jacques. (BORROW).

Cyril Barber - Basing his political theory on the fact that the problems of our times are theological and not sociological, the writer shows from a study of 2 Kings how God has provided a blueprint for self government in the Bible. Rewarding reading.

The first book of the Kings : with map, introduction and notes - Lumby, Joseph Rawson, 1831-1895 - NO RESTRICTIONS. Brief but well done notes. 

J. Rawson Lumby (1831–1895) was a British theologian, biblical scholar, and professor of divinity at Cambridge known for his work in biblical commentary and textual criticism. While he was a respected academic in his time, his commentaries are not among the most widely referenced today but that is primarily because he is not as well known. His theological influence was more academic than pastoral, for his works are often technical rather than devotional.

I and II Kings: A Commentary. Old Testament Library. Gray, John. (BORROW)

Cyril Barber - An expansion and revision of the writer's earlier commentary. Includes a vast amount of archaeological and exegetical material, covers every significant verse, and makes a valuable though critical contribution to the study of these books.

James Rosscup - This is an attempt to provide a fresher technical, liberal commentary than the work of Montgomery which preceded it by 13 years. It uses works of the German form critical approach.

Second Kings. Forms of the Old Testament Literature.Long, Burke O. (BORROW)

Cyril Barber - Walter Bruggemann wrote of this book, “Long has written a shrewd, discerning, and comprehensive study that will become an enduring point of reference for future study. It is evident that Long knows all the literature in a thorough and masterful way. He is, moreover, intentional about method, and works his method with power and insight.... The focal point of his study is form analysis ... [and] in his case the study of the text spills over, well beyond form criticism into a wealth of analytic and interpretive insight. His book is a model for mobilizing detail into a sensible and illuminating whole.”

Readings in I Kings: An Interpretation Arranged for Personal and Group Bible Study, with Questions and Notes Wallace, Ronald S (BORROW).

Cyril Barber - “In this concise, practical commentary on I Kings, Wallace succeeds in giving ‘fresh thoughts fresh clothing.’... He draws readers into biblical characters’ lives ... and his love for the Bible is evident as he bridges the centuries to show each stories’ modern practicality. He sees ‘persons like ourselves in situations that we can easily match with our own today,’ and he pulls no punches exposing their human foibles and weaknesses.”--Bookstore Journal. (See also Elijah And Elisha Expositions From The Books Of Kings By: Ronald S. Wallace - BORROW)

Solomon to the Exile; studies in Kings and Chronicles Whitcomb, John Clement, Jr.(BORROW)

Cyril Barber - 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 that are applied to the needs of the present.

Golden nuggets from forgotten places : selected studies from Kings and Chronicles by Swindoll, Charles

Come walk in my ways 1 & 2 Kings/ 2 Chronicles by Arthur, Kay,

Exposition of 1 Kings (MP3 Series) Dale Ralph Davis - colorful speaker and writer.

All the kings and queens of the Bible : tragedies and triumphs of royalty in past ages by Lockyer, Herbert

New International Biblical Commentary: 1 and 2 Kings (NIBC, 7) Iain W Provan

Layman's Bible Book Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles Volume 6 - John H Traylor

Survey of Israel's History - Revised Edition - Leon Wood - 416 pages (1986). See user reviews

James Rosscup - This is one of the most rewarding surveys available from the standpoint of giving a survey and yet pausing on key problem areas to state a well-considered view and specific supports marshalled briefly. It is firmly evangelical.

Israel: from Conquest to Exile : a Commentary on Joshua-2 Kings By: John James Davis and John C Whitcomb (548 pages) 

Comment - This book is highly rated (see reviews). Below is an excerpt - 

MULTIPLYING WIVES (1 Kings 11:1–8)

During the first twenty-four years of Solomon’s reign it might appear that Pharaoh’s daughter was his only wife (cf. 1 Kings 3:1; 6:37–7:1). This might be concluded from the statement in 11:1 that “Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh.” And this would be a highly desirable interpretation, for God does not approve of polygamy (Matt. 19:5) and He blessed Solomon marvellously during those years. On the other hand, it must be recognized that God had also richly blessed David during the early years of his reign, and that in spite of a polygamous household (2 Sam. 3:1–5; 5:12–16). Furthermore, the Song of Solomon implies a God-honoring relationship between Solomon and the Shulamite maiden at a time when he already had sixty queens and eighty concubines (Song 6:9, 13). Finally, Solomon must have married Naamah the Ammonitess a couple of years before he became king, and thus before he married Pharaoh’s daughter, for Rehoboam was forty-one when Solomon died at the end of a forty-year reign (1 Kings 14:21; 2 Chron. 12:13).2

Why did God permit David and Solomon to multiply wives? God had said to David through Nathan the prophet: “I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom” (2 Sam. 12:8). But this must be understood as God’s permissive will, even as our Lord explained with regard to divorce: “Moses for the hardness of your heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so” (Matt. 19:8). Not only did Moses specifically warn kings against multiplying wives to themselves (Deut. 17:17), but he also gave the tragic examples of multiple wives in the homes of Abraham (Gen. 16:1–6) and Jacob (Gen. 34:30; 35:21ff.). Jealous wives (Gen. 30:16) and spoiled children (1 Kings 1:6) were the inevitable fruit of polygamy, and Solomon had to lament over his son Rehoboam: “who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun” (Eccles. 2:19). Thus, God, in His providence, saw to it that both David and Solomon suffered severely for establishing polygamous households.

But the one consideration that must have overridden all others in the thinking of Solomon was the desire to establish diplomatic ties with the hundreds of city-states and kingdoms of the eastern Mediterranean and the Fertile Crescent. The most effective way to confirm a commercial or political treaty with a foreign king was to marry one of his daughters and give her a prominent position in the court. Theoretically a king would think twice before offending a father-in-law. This was a common and accepted practice among ancient rulers, and Solomon (contrary to the known will of God) conformed to this standard.3

However, multiplying wives was only the beginning of contradictions and disasters. Each wife, as a true representative of her father’s kingdom, brought with her the religious paraphernalia and the priests of her god. As we shall see in Chapter 30, Jezebel brought with her from Phoenicia 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah when she came to Israel to be Ahab’s queen (by arrangement of their fathers Omri and Ethbaal who planned thus to cement a political treaty).

Let us attempt to picture the situation that began to develop around Jerusalem during the last fifteen or twenty years of Solomon’s reign. It must have been like Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C., lined with the embassies and legations of many nations—little islands of foreign culture within the borders of the United States. A few years ago I visited this section of our capital city and walked into a fabulously beautiful Moslem mosque crowned with a white limestone minaret piercing the sky above. The costly structure was built with contributions from fifteen predominantly Moslem countries of Africa and Asia, so that there, on that 30,000 square-foot portion of American soil, the god Allah is officially honored!

So it was during Solomon's declining years. Shrines to pagan gods with attending priests and guardian queens dotted the hills surrounding Jerusalem. And there they remained for three hundred years—inviolable and untouched even during the reigns of such reforming kings as Asa, Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, and Hezekiah. At last, during Josiah’s great reform movement toward the end of the seventh century B.C., these “high places” around the city were destroyed (2 Kings 23:13). And two centuries after that, Nehemiah pronounced God’s sad epitaph on Solomon’s folly: “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin” (Neh. 13:26).

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture - 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther edited by Marco Conti

STUDY BIBLES 

KJV Bible Commentary - NO RESTRICTIONS. Hindson, Edward E; Kroll, Woodrow Michael. Over 3000 pages of the entire OT/NT. Well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective. Pre-millennial.  

Very well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective 

The King James Version Bible Commentary is a complete verse-by-verse commentary. It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. Its authors are leading evangelical theologians who provide practical truths and biblical principles. Any Bible student will gain new insights through this one-volume commentary based on the timeless King James Version of the Bible.

Jewish Study Bible from The Jewish Publication Society with TANAKH Translation- NO RESTRICTIONS - has some interesting notes from Jewish perspective.

NKJV Study Bible: New King James Version Study Bible NO RESTRICTIONS (formerly "The Nelson Study Bible - NKJV") by Earl D Radmacher; Ronald Barclay Allen; Wayne H House. 2345 pages. (1997, 2007). Very helpful notes. Conservative. Pre-millennial.

The MacArthur Study Bible - John MacArthur. Brief but well done notes 1,275 ratings

ESV Study Bible - Excellent resource but not always literal in eschatology and the nation of Israel 6,004 ratings

The King James Study Bible Second Edition 2240 pages (2013) (Thomas Nelson) General Editor - Edward Hindson with multiple contributing editors. . Pre-millennial. See introduction on How to Use this Study Bible.

HCSB Study Bible - conservative notes.

The Holman Illustrated Study Bible Includes the excellent Holman maps but otherwise of little help in serious study.

NIV Study Bible - (2011) 2570 pages  - Use this one if available as it has more notes than edition below. This resource has been fully revised in 2020. 

Life Application Study Bible : New Living Translation. Has some very helpful notes. 4,445 ratings

The Defender's Study Bible : King James Version by Morris, Henry M. Excellent notes for well known creationist. 

Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition (1994) 2232 pages

The David Jeremiah study bible - (2013) 2208 pages. 2,272 ratings Logos.com - "Drawing on more than 40 years of study, Dr. David Jeremiah has compiled a legacy resource that will make an eternal impact on generations to come. 8,000 study notes. Hundreds of enriching word studies"50+ Essentials of the Christian Faith" articles."

The Apologetics Study Bible Understand Why You Believe by Norman Geisler

NIV Archaeological Study Bible (2005) 2360 pages 950 ratings (See also Archaeology and the Bible - OT and NT)

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture Keener, Craig and Walton, John. Editors (2017)

Believer's Bible Commentary by MacDonald, William (1995) 2480 pages. One of my favorites. Often has some excellent devotional comments.

Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. - "Concise yet comprehensive - the most complete single-volume commentary I have seen."

Warren Wiersbe - "For the student who is serious about seeing Christ in the Word." 

The Word in life Study Bible - interesting format. Not your routine study Bible. Worth checking the very informative notes. (e.g., here is a picture of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances.)

Wycliffe Bible Commentary - Charles Pfeiffer - 1560 pages (1962). 214 ratings Less detailed than the KJV Bible Commentary. Conservative. Notes are generally verse by verse but brief. 

Rosscup - Conservative and premillennial scholars here have been experts in their fields. The work contains brief introductions and attempts to give a verse-by-verse exposition, though it does skip over some verses. The treatments vary with the authors, but as a whole it is a fine one-volume commentary for pastors and students to use or give to a layman. Outstanding sections include, for example: Whitcomb on Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther; Culver on Daniel; Ladd on Acts; Harrison on Galatians; Johnson on I Corinthians; and Ryrie on the Johannine Epistles.

New Bible Commentary - (1994) 

The Experiencing God Study Bible : the Bible for knowing and doing the will of God - Blackaby, Henry (1996) 1968 pages - CHECK THIS ONE! Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." Then you will interesting symbols before many of the passages. The chapter ends with a "DID YOU NOTICE?" question. This might make a "dry chapter" jump off the page! Read some of the 48 ratings

Compact Bible commentary by Radmacher, Earl D; Allen, Ronald Barclay; House, H Wayne, et al - 954 pages.   Multiple contributors to the comments which are often verse by verse. The comments are brief but meaty and can really help your study through a given book. A sleeper in my opinion. 

NIV archaeological study Bible (2005) 2360 pages 950 ratings (See also Archaeology and the Bible - OT and NT)

NIV cultural backgrounds study Bible. bringing to life the ancient world of scripture Keener, Craig and Walton, John. Editors (2017)

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible - editor Walter Elwell (1989) 1239 pages. 

MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES

IVP Background Commentary  - OT - John Walton  - NO RESTRICTIONS

Zondervan Atlas of The Bible By Carl G Rasmussen - NO RESTRICTIONS - 676 pages. Excellent maps, charts, pictures with commentary. A very nice resource. 

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery - NO RESTRICTIONS. (i.e., you do not need to borrow this book). Editors Leland Ryken, J C Wilhoit, Tremper Longman III - This is a potential treasure chest to aid your preaching and teaching as it analyzes the meaning of a host of Biblical figures of speech. Clue - use the "One-page view" which then allows you to copy and paste text. One downside is there is no index, so you need to search 3291 pages for entries which are alphabetical. 

Dictionary of deities and demons in the Bible (DDD) - 950 pages (1995) Read some of the 65 ratings (4.8/5 Stars). A definitive in depth resource on this subject. Very expensive to purchase. 

Unger's bible handbook : a best-selling guide to understanding the bible by Unger, Merrill F

Halley's Bible Handbook Henry H. Halley - (2000) 2720 pages (much larger than original edition in 1965 and no time limit on use). (Halley's Bible handbook : an abbreviated Bible commentary - one hour limit 1965 872 pages)

Rosscup - A much-used older evangelical handbook bringing together a brief commentary on Bible books, some key archaeological findings, historical background, maps, quotes, etc. It is helpful to a lay Bible teacher, Sunday School leader, or pastor looking for quick, pertinent information on a Bible book. This is the 72nd printing somewhat revised. Halley packed in much information. Unger’s is better overall, but that is not to say that Halley’s will not provide much help on basic information.

The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook - Editor - Walter Elwell (1984) 408 pages.

"This hardback is small in size but packed full of content: Brief summaries of every book of the bible, cultural, archaeological and historical info, word definitions, pictures, maps and charts." Worth checking! 

Eerdmans' Handbook to the Bible (1983) 688 pages 

The New Unger's Bible Dictionary by Unger, Merrill Frederick, 1909-

Every prophecy of the Bible: Walvoord, John F

J.Sidlow Baxter: Explore The Book - pdf  Vol. 2 Judges to Esther

Jensen's Survey of Bible (online) by Jensen, Irving  140 ratings (NT) 133 ratings (OT) This is a classic and in conjunction with the following three resources should give you an excellent background to the Bible book you are studying. Jensen has some of the best Book charts available and includes "key words." He also gives you some guidelines as to how to begin your inductive study of each book. 

What the Bible is all about by Mears, Henrietta. This is a classic and is filled with "pearls" from this godly teacher of God's Word. 

Talk thru the bible by Wilkinson, Bruce  The Wilkinson & Boa Bible handbook : the ultimate guide to help you get more out of the Bible

Today's Handbook of Bible Times & Customs by Coleman, William L

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs : How the People of the Bible Really Lived by Vos, Howard Frederic

The New Unger's Bible Dictionary by Unger, Merrill Frederick, 1909-

Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament by Unger, Merrill. Indexed by English word and then any related Hebrew nouns or verbs. Definitions are solid and geared to the lay person. 

Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament by Unger, Merrill 

HEBREW WORD STUDIES

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament by Harris, R. Laird - (5/5 Stars) One of the best OT lexicons for studying Hebrew words.

Here is a link to TWOT which has no time limit on use and does allow copy and paste. Can be downloaded as PDF. 

Hebrew honey : a simple and deep word study of the Old Testament by Novak, Alfons,  (332 pages) Indexed by English words. No Strong's numbers to help you determine if you are researching the correct Hebrew word. Here is a "work around" - go to page 289 and see if there is an annotation of the Scripture you are studying. E.g., say you want to see if there is anything for "heart" in Ezek 11:19. In the Scripture list find an entry for Ezek 11:19 with the English word "Heart." Now go look up "Heart" (on page 123). It does take some effort, but you might glean an insight not described in other Hebrew lexicons.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words - pdf. The old standby. You can also borrow Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words

Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament by Unger, Merrill. Indexed by English word and then any related Hebrew nouns or verbs. Definitions are solid and geared to the lay person. 

Expository Dictionary of Bible Words by Richards, Larry,  It is does not go into great depth on the Greek or Hebrew words but does have some excellent insights. 

So That's What it Means (Theological Wordbook) - Formerly titled "Theological Wordbook" edited by Charles Swindoll. It is now under this new title So That's What it Means and can be borrowed - it is more like a dictionary than a lexicon but the comments are superb! The contributors include Donald Campbell, Wendell Johnston, John Witmer, John Walvoord 

Synonyms of the Old Testament-Robert Girdlestone

APOLOGETICS

The Apologetics Study Bible Understand Why You Believe - Comments from over 90 leading apologists, including: Ted Cabal, Lee Strobel, Chuck Colson, Norm Geisler, Josh McDowell, Albert Mohler, J.P. Moreland, see reviews. Here is a review from The Christian Reviewer.

Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics by Geisler, Norman

Cyril Barber - This is a goldmine of valuable information! Well-indexed. Covers everything from “Absolute Truth” to “Zen Buddhism.” Extensive articles on such topics as “Agnosticism,” “Annihilationism,” “Bible, Alleged Errors in,” “Gnosticism,” “Miracles in the Bible,” “New Testament Manuscripts,” and “Objections to Resurrection,” “Big Bang Theory,” “Edward John Carnell,” “Christ, Death of,” are only a few of the insightful essays in this masterful work. Each article has been written in an understandable way, and a 28 page bibliography forms a valuable source for further research. An excellent resource.

Evidence That Demands A Verdict - Josh McDowell

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict - Josh McDowell

More Than A Carpenter - A modern classic by Josh McDowell - Great resource for those who are skeptical that Jesus is fully God, fully Man.

Encyclopedia of Bible difficulties by Archer, Gleason L - or here with no restrictions

Hard Sayings of the Bible - Walter Kaiser

When Critics Ask - Norman Geisler

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS
IN THE BIBLE

Today's Handbook of Bible Times & Customs by Coleman, William L

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs : How the People of the Bible Really Lived by Vos, Howard Frederic

Manners & Customs of the Bible (The New Manners and Customs)  Freeman, James M., 1827-1900 Published 1998

The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times: Gower, Ralph, 1933- Published 1987

Manners and Customs of Bible lands By: Wight, Fred Published 1983

Manners and Customs in the Bible By: Matthews, Victor Harold Published 1991

Handbook of life in Bible times By: Thompson, J. A. (John Arthur), 1913-2002 Published 1986

Illustrated dictionary of Bible manners and customs By: Deursen, A. van (Arie), 1891-1963 Published 1982

The Illustrated Guide to Bible Customs & Curiosities by Knight, George W. 

Orientalisms in Bible lands, giving light from customs, habits, manners, imagery, thought and life in the East for Bible students By: Rice, Edwin Wilbur, 1831-1929 Published 1910

Bible manners and customs By: Mackie, G. M. 1854-1922 Published 1898

Teach it to your children : how kids lived in Bible days By: Vamosh, Miriam Feinberg, author

Everyday life in Bible times : work, worship, and war  By: Embry, Margaret Published 1994

Everyday living : Bible life and times : fascinating, everyday customs and traditions from the people of the Bible  Published 2006

The Land and the Book; or, Biblical illustrations drawn from the manners and customs, the scenes and scenery, of the Holy land  By: Thomson, William M. (William McClure), 1806-1894 Published 1880

Eastern manners illustrative of the Old Testament history By: Jamieson, Robert, 1802-1880 Published 1838

Scripture manners and customs : being an account of the domestic habits, arts, etc., of Eastern nations mentioned in Holy Scripture Published  1895

MORE COMMENTARIES
AND SERMONS

PAUL APPLE 1 Kings Commentary 

These notes are in an outline format with frequent quotes from modern commentaries. Definitely worth checking. 

Here is the full commentary - 382 page pdf.

Here are the Blog posts on individual chapters (same material as in pdf)

ALBERT BARNES- Commentary

BRIAN BELL - Sermons - often has very helpful insights

There are 2 resources - the first list is sermons that include audio and notes.

Search this page for the titles below to retrieve audio and notes.

  • I Kings 1 I Just Can't Wait to be King
  • I Kings 2 Inauguration Day

Studylight.org has notes that are the same as those above. No audio. 

Chapter 2
David's Final Instructions; Solomon Secures the Throne.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR

BRIAN BILL Sermon Notes

JIM BOMKAMP - Sermons

Click for Table of Contents to the studies below:

  • 1 Kings 1 David Has Solomon Crowned As King Over Israel
  • 1 Kings 2 Solomon's Immediate Challenges After David's Death

CAMBRIDGE BIBLE COMMENTARY

ALAN CARR SERMON NOTES

Calvary Baptist, Well Done Notes

RICH CATHERS

ADAM CLARKE - Commentary

THOMAS CONSTABLE - Expository Notes

W A CRISWELL 

RON DANIEL

BOB DEFFINBAUGH - Sermons

JOHN DUMMELOW - COMMENTARY

EASY ENGLISH - Commentary

CHARLES ELLICOTT

ESV STUDY BIBLE - BORROW

  • ESV Study Bible - Excellent resource but not always literal in eschatology and the nation of Israel 

EXPLORE THE BIBLE 1 Kings

Written for the LifeWay Explore the Bible Sunday School curriculum

EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE Commentary - F W Farrar

Cyril J. Barber - Farrar, Frederick William. The First Book of Kings.  A thorough and delightful exposition of this history of Israel from Solomon to Elijah. In places it manifests an unwise dependence on the LXX and follows some higher critical theories in vogue at the time.

EXPOSITOR'S DICTIONARY OF TEXTS

A C GAEBELEIN Annotated Bible

GENE GETZ - short videos emphasizing application

  • 1 Kings; Principle #1; 1 Kg. 1:5-10; p. 428 Deception and Denial: No matter how much parents love God, they must still guard against being in denial regarding their children's inappropriate behavior. Video
  • 1 Kings; Principle #2; 1 Kg. 1:11-40; p. 429 Loving Intervention: Because of our human tendencies to be in denial, we should be accountable to others who love us enough to confront us. Video
  • 1 Kings; Principle #3; 1 Kg. 2:1-9; p. 430 Correcting Mistakes: We should do what we can to correct the results of our mistakes before passing our leadership role to our successors. Video

JOHN GILL - Commentary

GOSPEL COALITION

GOTQUESTIONS

L M GRANT - Commentary

DAVE GUZIK - Commentary

ROBERT HAWKER - Poor Man's Commentary

MATTHEW HENRY - Commentary

F B HOLE - Commentary

HOMILETICS

JAMIESON, FAUSSET, BROWN - Commentary

KEIL AND DELITZSCH 1 Samuel Commentary

James Rosscup - This is the best older, overall treatment of a critical nature on the Old Testament Hebrew text verse by verse and is a good standard work to buy. The student can buy parts or the whole of this series. Sometimes it is evangelical, at other times liberal ideas enter." (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works)

JOHN KITTO - PICTORIAL BIBLE WITH NOTES

Spurgeon's Comments: "Then, of course, gentlemen, you will economize rigidly until you have accumulated funds to purchase Kitto’s Pictorial Bible. You mean to take that goodly freight on board before you launch upon the sea of married life. As you cannot visit the Holy Land, it is well for you that there is a work like the Pictorial Bible, in which the notes of the most observant travellers are arranged under the texts which they illustrate. For the geography, zoology, botany, and manners and customs of Palestine, this will be your counselor and guide....A work of art as well as learning."

JOHN KITTO Daily Bible Illustrations 1 Kings

KJV BIBLE PARALLEL BIBLE COMMENTARY - Edward Dobson, Charles Feinberg, E. Hindson, W. Kroll - NO RESTRICTIONS ON USE

Well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective.  I have found the comments are very good but generally not in great depth. It is worth checking as you may glean additional insights on a passage. It is not strictly speaking verse by verse but does cover many verses. 

KJV STUDY BIBLE - General Editor - Edward Hindson - NO RESTRICTIONS ON USE

CHRISTOPHER KNAPP The Kings of Judah & Israel 1 & 2 Kings; 1 & 2 Chronicles

James Rosscup - The author, who served as an evangelist in the Bahamas and a missionary to Honduras, Central America, has given here a biography of each king in Judah and Israel. He traces the characteristics and accomplishments of each reign. In each case, he draws together all of the Bible references to the king’s reign, gives the names of prophets ministering in his day, and presents a key verse which summarizes that reign in a nutshell. He has good sketches of the kings.

AUGUST H KONKEL - 1 Kings  COMMENTARY 

PAUL E. KRETZMANN - Lutheran Perspective

LANGE'S COMMENTARY - J J VAN OOSTERZEE - Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 

Spurgeon writes "Oosterzee in Lange is excellent."

D Edmond Hiebert - In keeping with the series to which it belongs, the massive material is presented in three parts: exegetical and critical, doctrinal and ethical, and homiletical and practical. Conservative in viewpoint. Valuable for those willing to dig into its vast stores of material, much of which is definitely dated.

JOHN LIGHTFOOT - Commentary

JOHN MACARTHUR- verse by verse - probably the best expositor in the last 100 years but very literal and conservative

WILLIAM MACDONALD - BORROW

John MacArthur - "Concise yet comprehensive - the most complete single-volume commentary I have seen."

Warren Wiersbe - "For the student who is serious about seeing Christ in the Word." 

  • Believer's Bible Commentary -  BORROW This resource is always worth checking. commentary on whole Bible. Often has pithy, practical and devotional comments.

ALEXANDER MACLAREN Sermons on 1 Kings

MAPS RELATED TO 1 KINGS

The Kingdom of David and Solomon

The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

ROD MATTOON 1 KINGS COMMENTARY

  • 1 Kings Commentary - 416 pages - Go to page for list of multiple illustrations on page 397 under "I" in the index

J VERNON MCGEE - Thru the Bible comments - often has pithy comments

F B MEYER - Devotional

More from F B Meyer's Our Daily Homily

HENRY MORRIS - Defender's Study Bible Notes - well-known creationist. Conservative. Millennial. 

ROBERT NEIGHBOUR - Living Water Commentary

NET BIBLE NOTES  - somewhat technical but you can find some practical "nuggets" 

JAMES NISBET'S - Church Pulpit Commentary

NKJV STUDY BIBLE - NO RESTRICTIONS - Earl Radmacher, Ronald Allen, H. Wayne House

  • NKJV Study Bible - 2345 pages. Allows copy/paste - notes are brief but conservative and well-done

GAVIN ORTLUND - 12 WEEK STUDY OF 1-2 KINGS

OUR DAILY BREAD

JOSEPH PARKER

PASTOR LIFE

DAVID F PAYNE 

1.Israel before the Monarchy

2.Prelude to Monarchy

3.The First King: Saul

4.David's Rise to Power

5.David's Later Years

6.The Reign of Solomon

7.The Early Divided Monarchy

8.Syria Rampant

PETER PETT - Commentary

MATTHEW POOLE - Commentary

PREACHER'S HOMILETICAL - Commentary - Includes Germ Notes, Illustrations, Homilies

PULPIT COMMENTARY 

GEORGE RAWLINSON - commentary - online

Cyril Barber - The Kings of Israel and Judah Rawlinson's handling of the remainder of 1 Kings 10-2 Kings 25 provides one of the finest syntheses of biblical history that has ever been written. Rawlinson's chronology is lacking, but this in itself is not sufficient to condemn his work to oblivion....What is important is that here we have a work that makes the OT come alive.

  • CHAPTER I. Rehoboam
  • CHAPTER II Jeroboam the First
  • CHAPTER III. Abijah
  • CHAPTER IV. Asa
  • CHAPTER V. Nadab
  • CHAPTER VI. Baasha
  • CHAPTER VII. Elah
  • CHAPTER VIII Zimri
  • CHAPTER IX. Omri
  • CHAPTER X. Ahab
  • CHAPTER XI. Jehoshaphat

ROBERT RAYBURN

REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE - study notes

ADRIAN ROGERS SERMONS 1 KINGS

Click for following sermons:

  • The Tragedy of Lost Church Members—1 Kings 2:1–6
  •   The Judas of the Old Testament—1 Kings 2:5

ROB SALVATO - Sermons

JOHN SCHULTZ - 161 page commentary - Well done

SERMONAUDIO - PDF's of sermons - Be aware there might be some variation in quality so be a Berean! 

SERMON BIBLE COMMENTARY

CHUCK SMITH - Sermon Notes

JAMES SMITH - CLICK HERE FOR STUDIES LISTED BELOW

C. H. SPURGEON - Sermons, et al

C H SPURGEON Sermon Notes on entire Bible

JOHN STEVENSON - Sermons

THIRD MILLENNIUM STUDY NOTES​​​​

1 Kings 2

DAVID THOMPSON - sermons - Literal. Conservative.

TODAY IN THE WORD - devotionals

JOHN TRAPP - Commentary

BOB UTLEY  - Notes are brief but often very insightful so definitely worth checking. Not verse by verse but most of passages are covered with a note. Amillennial. 

DANIEL WHEDON Commentary 1 Kings

WARREN WIERSBE -  Always worth checking for preaching/teaching points.

Rosscup - One of America’s most appreciated staunchly evangelical Bible conference teachers gives diligent, refreshing expositions. These are all of his 23 separate, earlier books in the “Be” series on the New Testament. He strikes a particular appeal with lay people as he crystallizes sections, deals with some of the verses, handles certain problems and backgrounds and applies principles. He is premillennial.

SERMONS BY VERSE - Older expositions

David in View of Death J. Parker, D. D. 1 Kings 2:1-2
Human Equality Pulpit Analyst 1 Kings 2:1-2
The Close of Life not to be Dreaded by the Believer A. Maclaren. 1 Kings 2:1-2
A Royal Father's Last Words J. Waite 1 Kings 2:1-4
Farewells E. De Pressense 1 Kings 2:1-11
A Son Charged to be Brave   1 Kings 2:2
Dignity of Man N. Emmons, D. D. 1 Kings 2:2
Duty and Privilege Homilist 1 Kings 2:2
How Men are Made D. H. Martin, D. D. 1 Kings 2:2
In What Manliness Consists   1 Kings 2:2
Learning to be Brave   1 Kings 2:2
Manhood G. H. Smyth. 1 Kings 2:2
Play the Man for God Quiver. 1 Kings 2:2
Religion not Unmanly R. A. Hallam, D. D. 1 Kings 2:2
Show Thyself a Man W. J. Woods, B. A. 1 Kings 2:2
Show Thyself a Man E. De Pressense 1 Kings 2:2
A Charge from a Dying King A. Rowland 1 Kings 2:2, 3
Barzillai Alex. Whyte, D. D. 1 Kings 2:7
David and Shimei Alex. Whyte, D. D. 1 Kings 2:7
Gratitude for Kindnesses Repaid J. Telford, B. A. 1 Kings 2:7
Sympathy with Monarch Appreciated Great Thoughts 1 Kings 2:7
The Sins of Godly Men R. Liswil, B. A. 1 Kings 2:7
Views of Life and Death R. Venting. 1 Kings 2:10-12
A Mother's Noble Recognition   1 Kings 2:19-20
A Ruler's Regard for His Mother   1 Kings 2:19-20
The Power of Mothers A. W. Hazen, D. D. 1 Kings 2:19-20
What Mothers Can Do for Their Children J. N. Norton. 1 Kings 2:19-20
Friends that Fail Us Quiver. 1 Kings 2:26-27
neffective Repentance S. H. Tyng, D. D. 1 Kings 2:28
Religion the Last Quest of the Godless Spurgeon, Charles Haddon 1 Kings 2:28
Repentance Unavailing   1 Kings 2:28
The Peril of Protracted Temptation T. S. Hamlin, D. D. 1 Kings 2:28
The Vitality of Sin Quiver. 1 Kings 2:28
The Horns of the Altar Charles Haddon Spurgeon 1 Kings 2:30
A Warrior's Death J. K. Campbell, D. D. 1 Kings 2:30-34
General Joab S. Horton. 1 Kings 2:30-34
Retributions J. Waite 1 Kings 2:41-46

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