"II Kings" (Volume 11 in the acclaimed "Anchor Bible") is the chronicle of the raging conflicts that tore the United Kingdom of Israel apart, creating the rival nations of Israel to the north and Judah to the south. It tells of the time of the great prophecies of Elijah and Elisha, and of the legendary conquerors of not only the Jews, but the whole of the Middle East - Sennacherib, Hazael, Tiglath-pileser III, Nebuchadnezzar, and Shalmaneser. The book of "II Kings" was written with a dual purpose. It provided a chronological history of the divided kingdoms of Israel, from the time of division, through the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and the final exile of the Jews into Babylonia. It also served as a reminder to all Israelite monarchs that their loyalty to the God of Israel, as worshipped in Jerusalem, determined the course of history. In his telling of the story, the book's author emphasized to his contemporaries and future generations that in order to avert the calamities that befell the Chosen People (their conquest by nonbelievers, the destruction of Jerusalem, and their ignominious exile), they would have to avoid a repetition of the misdeeds of the past. If they remained loyal to their God, their God would remain loyal to them. Complete with maps, charts, photographs, and extra-biblical documentation, "II Kings" presents an important and illuminating new translation which explores a tumultuous epoch of change that forever affected theological and world history.

Few biblical books are as neglected by the church as 1 & 2 Kings. There are several reasons for this situation. First, some preachers find it difficult to construct sermons from Old Testament texts. Also, misconceptions about Old Testament history exist, such as its supposedly boring and has a non-theological nature. This causes laypersons to question the books' value for devotional readings. Also commentaries on these books often explain chronological and compositional matters without exploring the books' theological and literary richness. These barriers are overcome with this commentary on 1 & 2 Kings by Paul R. House.

The New American Commentary is for those who have been seeking a commentary that honors the Scriptures, represents the finest in contemporary evangelical scholarship, and lends itself to the practical work of preaching and teaching. This series serves as a minister's friend and a student's guide.

In this commentary, Iain Provan treats 1 and 2 Kings as a unified whole nestled within its canonical context. Kings constantly presupposes knowledge of the remainder of the story of Israel and invites reflection upon itself in the light of the prophetic writings and of the New Testament. It is examined here as narrative literature with historiographical intent, designed to teach its readers about God and the Ways of God. Provan draws the reader's attention to themes that are repeated in Kings, such as the theme of God's promise and how it is fulfilled among God's people. Based on the NIV.

Solomon's kingship represents the apogee of ancient Israel's geopolitical power, yet it also contained the seeds of its own destruction. Sweeney incisively highlights the books' stylistic techniques, approach to history, characterization of major figures, and primary message and thrust.