BibleX: 2 Kings

BiblePlaces has released the latest volume in their "Photo Companion to the Bible" series. This resource contains 7,400 photos related to 1–2 Kings. I am currently in Israel and working my fourth season on an archaeological dig and have visited numerous sites and taken thousands of photos myself. But when it comes to teaching and preaching, I turn again and again to these "Photo Companion" volumes.

BiblePlaces is offering free PowerPoint downloads for 1 Kings 9 and 2 Kings 8 to give you some idea of what is being offered. If you decide to purchase the complete volumes, there is a sale this week, 1 Kings can be had for $69, 2 Kings is also available for $69, or you can purchase both for $79.

Oct 5, 2021

Top 1–2 Kings Commentaries

Nathan Lovell lists and annotates his top six 1–2 Kings commentaries on Nijay Gupta's blog here.

Feb 6, 2020

Teaching 2 Kings

Nancy Guthrie talks to Andrew Sach about it here.

Jan 9, 2019

Seals of Isaiah and Hezekiah Booklet

You can access a free forty-page booklet on the recently discovered and displayed seals related to the prophet Isaiah and King Hezekiah here. I am not sure how long the booklet has been available but it looks fairly well done.The seals are on display until March 31, 2019 at the Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Sep 20, 2018

Jehoiachin's Rations Tablets

There is a nice article here on the so-called Jeconiah’s (aka Jehoiachin) Rations Tablets" that help illustrate 2 Kings 25:27-30 and Jeremiah 52:31-34.

Jun 29, 2018

The Portrayal of Nebuchadnezzar in 2 Kings and Jeremiah

Claude Mariottini has a nice post here about the portrayal of Nebuchadnezzar in 2 Kings and Jeremiah.

Jun 5, 2018

Abbott and Costello Do 2 Kings 17:4

With apologies to Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First."

Abbott: We're in 2 Kings 17:4. Let's go over the story. Hoshea quit paying tribute to the king of Assyria and sent envoys to Egypt. I forget the King of Egypt's name.

Costello: So.

Abbott: Huh?

Costello: So.

Abbott: You're right, it's not important, we'll let it go for now.

So, the king of Assyria ...

Costello: So the king of Egypt.

Abbott: I was gonna say the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea.

Costello: That's right.

Abbott: So, the king of Assyria ...

Costello: No, So the king of Egypt.

Abbott: Let me tell the story!

Costello: Well, then, tell it right!

Abbott: Who arrested Hoshea?

Costello: The king of Assyria.

Abbott: Is that so?

Costello: No, that's the king of Egypt.

Abbott: So, the king of Egypt?

Costello: Right.

Abbott: So the king of Egypt arrested Hoshea?

Costello: No, the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea.

Abbott: But you just said the king of Egypt did.

Costello: I didn't say So.

Abbott: Oh, come on! So, the king of Assyria ...

Costello: No, he's the king of Egypt.

Abbott: How do we keep coming back to Egypt?

Costello: You said the king's name.

Abbott: What makes you think I even know his name?

Costello: You said So!

Abbott: I did not!

Costello: I heard you!

Abbott: Let me tell the story!

Costello: Then tell it right!

Credit: Jonathan E Settlemoir

Jan 5, 2018

Free Commentaries on 1-2 Kings

Rob Bradshaw has posted about four free commentaries and other resources on these books here.

Dec 3, 2016

The Reformation Commentary on Scripture: 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, and 1–2 Chronicles

Timothy George has some interesting tidbits here from the the forthcoming Reformation Commentary on Scripture, volume covering 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, and 1–2 Chronicles.

Oct 2, 2016

Tel Lachish

Many of you may have already heard about some exciting discoveries at Tel Lachish announced a few days ago by the Israel Antiquities Authority here. There are a number of news reports out there. I would start here for additional information and here for the most pictures. You can also access a free PDF copy of Pamela Magrill's 2006 book, A Researcher's Guide to the Lachish Collection in the British Museum here but note that this is a listing of finds with no pictures.

Feb 24, 2015

Samuel and Kings in Eight Words

Matthew Malcolm has summarized 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings in eight words here.

Jul 23, 2014

Elijah on Mt. Carmel

The newest issue of Bibliotheca Sacra has a fascinating article entitled, "Pyrotechnics on Mount Carmel." The author begins by noting that,

"Three biblical fire miracles involve the prophet Elijah: fire from heaven that consumed a water-soaked sacrifice and altar on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:1–46), fire from heaven that consumed two sets of fifty soldiers (2 Kings 1:1–18), and a chariot of fire that carried Elijah to heaven at the end of his earthly life (2:1–18)."

But what I found most interesting is the scientific insights related to fire and combustion brought by the author, Charles Baukal, is a combustion engineer. So if you get a chance, check out the article in the July-September 2014 issue. While your at it, you might want to look at the April-June which contains an article by the same author on Nebuchadnezzar's furnace from Daniel 3.

Sep 12, 2012

The Value of Preaching the Old Testament Historical Books

"So within the larger narrative of the Bible, the historical books have an essential role to play. How can a congregation marvel at the coming of the righteous Son of David if they are not familiar with the failures of the Davidic kings who ruled before him? How can they understand the depth of God’s compassion and mercy if they have not grappled with Israel’s rebellious and stubborn heart? How can your congregation fully grasp the extent of Israel’s idolatry, and indeed, the plight of humanity, without the books of Judges and Kings? While the law is given during the time of Moses, it is the historical books—books such as Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles—that show whether or not the Israelites actually obeyed God’s laws. It is the historical books that reveal the character of God, and our sinful nature, which is exposed so powerfully in the story of Israel.”

Carol M. Kaminski, “Preaching from the Historical Books,” in Preaching the Old Testament , ed. Scott M. Gibson (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006), 64.