2 Kings

The two books of Kings in the Hebrew Scriptures were artificially divided--by the general limits of scrolling, as the author observes--which accounts for a nearly uninterrupted downward trajectory of Israel's kingship that continues through both volumes. Although both commentaries come from the World Biblical Commentary series, our work at hand [volume 13] was composed by a different author from 1 Kings, T.R. Hobbs. The format, however, remains the same-translation, grammatical analysis, setting and form, verse commentary, and theological overview of each chapter or periscope. The bibliography is exhaustive, and while the work targets a professional audience [e.g., educators] there is much here of use for a motivated lay person who wishes to study the Bible with literary and theological precision. I am going out on a limb here and assuming that very few readers begin Biblical search with 2 Kings. My assumption would be that the reader of this commentary has digested an overview of the Hebrew Canon in general and is somewhat familiar with what has already transpired. 2 Kings begins, so to speak, in the middle of things. It is the second half of a five century narrative of the kings of Israel. 1 Kings begins with the glory of Solomon; 2 Kings ends with the Babylonian Captivity. Clearly the challenge of any commentator is an explanation of what happened. For the Deuteronomistic author of Kings, the theological reason for the decline of Israel, including its division into northern and southern kingdoms and ultimate subjugation, was the failure of its kings to preserve the Law, worship, and humility before Yahweh. True heirs of David and Solomon were hard to come by. To use an American analogy, there were a dozen Warren Harding for every Theodore Roosevelt. Josiah is a notable exception, though as Hobbs comments, even this king's efforts at reform are too little and too late. [343] Centuries of neglect, indifference, active idolatrous dalliances, social injustice and regional involvements with pagan neighbors were culminating toward an inexorable denouement. One example: the repeated recourse to exchange the temple's worship finery for political expediency. One is hard pressed to imagine Joshua resorting to such tactics. The reader will probably surmise that 2 Kings comes to us through a particular religious and cosmic outlook. This does not diminish the work in any way, but it does raise questions about what else was undermining this royal line. Hobbs provides insightful information regarding both the dating of the narrated events--vis-à-vis other known happenings in the Middle East--and the demographic/military/political developments of Israel's neighbors. It is more than a little surprising, for example, to read that Israel conducted treaties and other intercourse with its old nemesis, Egypt, when pressures on other fronts became precarious. It should be recalled, too, that from a pagan/secular vantage point, Israel had lost its virginity the

A well written commentary on 2Kings. That is what I call a commentary of high standard evangelicalism combining both faith and scholarship and showing respectful treatment of biblical history. Hobbs considers 2Kings to be a composition of only a single author. For theological reasons the assumed author has placed emphasis on several topics - Elijah, Elisha, Jehu, Hezekiah and Isaiah, Josiah - from the source material available which he has dealt with more in-depth rather than other events more important in the view of modern historians. Hobbs offers a lot of explanations on the Hebrew, discusses different opinions, but focuses mainly on the major issues and has produced an in-depth commentary.