Customer Reviews

1 and 2 Kings (Old Testament Guides)

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Provan has crafted a masterful and readable commentary on the book of Kings within the unfortunate size restraints of the NIBC series. Provan blends a nuanced and refined approach to the biblical text with a lively and engaging writing style that compels the reader to read on in both the commentary and Kings itself. The commentary employs historical and literary analysis in a successful synthesis that leaves the reader confident in the history described and yet impressed by the theology crafted from the ordering and telling of events.

Provan consistently manages to cull fresh insights and original readings from familiar narratives. His treatment of Solomon, for example, is perhaps the ablest and most profound portion of the commentary. Provan interacts with the themes of law and grace as embodied in the conditional/unconditional elements of the Davidic covenants. His treatment is helpful. The "Additional Notes" provide space for some more technical discussions; these are profitable to the reader and should not be skipped over.

Readers seeking more detailed discussions of historiagraphical issues from Provan's perspective can consult A Biblical History of Israel coauthored by Provan, Longman and Long. More lengthy and technical commentaries can fill in the details, but Provan's commentary captures the flow and meaning of Kings superbly and creatively.

I compared Provan to the NAC commentary by House and the EBC commentary by Patterson and Austel.

I was looking for sensitivity to the theological message of the stories in Kings, and Provan really shines. He is much better at it than the others. You really feel like Provan can show you the glory and sovereignty of the God of Israel, which (of course) is what the stories in Kings intend to show. Imagine that, a commentary that actually exposes the theological intent of the passage! The other two commentaries are often lost in the human details while the passage is painting a compelling picture of a mind-boggling God.

Provan's applications are well-done. "Not all applications are created equal." But Provan's are truly insightful. For example, God destroyed the dynasties of Jereboam I and Baasha quickly but allowed the dynasty of Omri to last a hundred years. Why? Why would God punish Jereboam I and Baasha so quickly and let men like Ahab (and company) live for so long? Provan answers that God was planning on confronting men like Ahab with men like Elijah. In other words, letting Ahab live so long is part of God's long-term plan of triumphing over evil. Then comes Provan's application to our day: "We should never confuse God's long-term planning with an unwillingness or inability to communicate and to act in human history. Prophets will eventually speak, and the prophetic word will always come to pass (e.g., John 1:19-28; 6:1-15; Acts 3:17-26; 2 Pet. 3:3-13; Rev. 22:7-20). God's silences are not long when seen in the context of eternity; God's inactivity is really patience in disguise" (p. 130). What a great reminder to not fear simply because wicked men are on the rise in our day. Wicked men are part of God's plan. They are on God's leash and can go no further than He allows.

Provan is also well-written. He writes great theological reflections in simple language. Ah, a breath of fresh air! He also often has more to say than the other two. I kept expecting him to be briefer, and he was actually fuller. He also makes good use of his space limitations. Everything I read was carefully written and held meaning.

There are more good things, but these are some of the significant ones. Get Provan on Kings!