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The Wisdom and the Folly: An Exposition of the Book of First Kings Paperback – July 20, 2003

by Dale Ralph Davis (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
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1st Kings is a continuation of a narrative of the history of Israel which begins in 1st Samuel and continues through into 1st & 2nd Kings.
While we so often struggle with the events and issues of the book of 1st Kings, Ralph Davis helps us to see how it we can apply to the contemporary settings of the 21st century. As usual Ralph Davis uses pastoral application and laces it with his own sense of humour. He is noted for tackling scholarship head on.

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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Christian Focus
  4. Publication date
    July 20, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1857927036
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1857927030
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

‘Robust - that's the word ...a robust understanding, defence, explanation and application of First Kings as the Word of God. Here is no "First Kings in my own words" - the boring, fruitless fate of most commentaries on Bible History - but a delicious feast of truth, proof that the ancients were right to call the historians "prophets".'

-- Alec Motyer ((1924–2016) Well known Bible expositor and commentary writer)

‘...this exposition enables the contemporary reader to breathe the air of 1 Kings, re-live its challenges, and above all, to encounter the personally the God who speaks and acts throughout its pages. This is a book to unsettle spiritual complacency and challenge us to a deep integrity in our relationship with the living God.'

-- David Jackman (Past President, The Proclamation Trust, London)

‘The range of scholarship is extraordinary (is there any learned book or paper on First Kings that this writer has not winkled out?), His humour and humanity, plus a priceless American-style turn of phrase, add relish to the dish. Here is a safe and strong pair of hands to guide new, and older, readers through the treasure - and the uninspiring bits - of First Kings.'

-- Dick Lucas (Formerly Rector of St Helen's Bishopsgate, London)

About the Author

Dale Ralph Davis was Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.Respected Author and Old Testament Scholar

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Christian Focus (July 20, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1857927036
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1857927030
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

About the author

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Dale Ralph Davis

Dale Ralph Davis

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
7 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Shelby Pritchard
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Commentary on Kings I have ever read: Conservative, Passionate, and Well-Studied.
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
Having only scratched the surface of the book, I can already tell that Dale Ralph Davis has hit a home run yet again. Exceeding even the quality, passion, and insight found in his commentary on Joshua, Davis brings together incredible exegetical skill and writing to thrill readers with the account of the Kings of Israel.

He is thorough, but wisely regulates more in-depth discussions to footnotes; allowing the main text to flow freely. His depth is comparable to the New American Commentary series, but for Kings, I have found him often to be the more helpful.

If you are looking for an example of his love for the Bible, his exegetical insight, as well as his interaction with other commentators, look no further than his chapter on I Kings 19:1-18. It challenges the common take on Elijah's purpose and plea for death. Instead of attributing the prophet's behavior to some sort of strange and sudden loss of faith in God, Davis sees Elijah defeated, not by the rage of Jezebel, but by the utter lack of change in Israel in response to the events on Mt. Carmel. The prophet, then, feels like a failure, and heads to Mt. Sinai to bring formal accusation against God's people for breaking God's covenant. While he challenges the norm, his arguments are strong, Bible-based, and logical. He walks step by step through the problems and potential problems of the various interpretations and his careful consideration and incredible study show him to have not chosen his view lightly. This reverence for the text and refusal to float along with conventional currents when the Bible itself seems to say otherwise is an incredible breathe of fresh air. He isn't, like some, different for the sake of being different. He is different because the Bible is different. At every turn, he seeks first to the Word of God.

This is the model commentary. With opportunity for in-depth discussion as needed, it passionately conveys the truth of the literal history of the Kings, while still carefully drawing application out of the timeless of God's Word. Even if you may not agree with his every view or point, his study, passion, and love for God and his Word shine out strong and true. Without a doubt, if you could only have one book on the books of the Kings, this needs to be it.
2 people found this helpful
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Dr. Ray Cannata, author Rooted: The Apostles' Creed
5.0 out of 5 stars The best
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2005
I have now read every one of D. Ralph Davis' commentaries (Judges, Joshua, I Sam., II Sam., I Kgs) -- all consisently excellent. In fact, if I had just one commentary on each of those books I'd select Davis.

Davis is a former Old Testament seminary professor, with a PhD., but has also been a pastor (Presbyterian -- PCA) for many years. These are all non-technical, unfootnoted, homiletical treatments. They are theologically rich, always Christocentric (or at least Christo-telic), well-illustrated, and relentlessly practical. Davis can turn a clever phrase like no other commentator, often tweaking a cliche to turn it on its head. Indispensible.

I was shocked that fellow PCAer Tremper Longman did not even include any Ralph Davis books in his survey of commentaries (though Longman analyzes lots and lots of inferior works).

I have two copies of each of Davis' commentaries (one for home, one for the office).

I have not really found other works on I Kings nearly as helpful. Ray Dillard's short work on the Elijah and Elisha narratives was the closest. Wiseman in the Tyndale set was perfectly competent and sound, but nowhere near as convicting as Davis.
13 people found this helpful
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Mark Loughridge
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, penetrating, biblical application & explanation
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2003
"Have you ever wondered why bits of the Bible are boring?" asks Dale Ralph Davis with refreshing honesty.
Such open honesty characterises this sane and sensible commentary on 1 Kings. Perhaps the words `sane' and `sensible' give the impression that the book is itself rather dull and boring, but not so.
In a way that is refreshing, humorous and penetrating Davis opens up the book of 1 Kings and provides sound, wholesome teaching. It is only when you look in the footnotes at some of the weird and wonderful interpretations from various scholars that you begin to appreciate the quality of what Davis is giving to you. His quick-fire no-compromising-with-scripture demolition job of these authors, coupled with his simple clarity, reassures the reader that, in the words of Dick Lucas, we are in "a safe strong pair of hands to guide us through the treasure - and the uninspiring bits - of 1 Kings."
This is a superbly easy-to-read book on 1 Kings. There is clear explanation, and there is excellent illustration, with the central theme of each section being plainly set out. But the thing I liked best was the incisive application. It is not possible to read this book and feel unchallenged.
But what is there to be learnt? Davis guides us through such themes as the majesty of God, prayer, wise living, and God's faithfulness. He brings a challenge to shake us out of our complacency.
Look out for other books by this author - he has also written on Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel.
And why are bits of the Bible `boring'? "Because they are the records of sinful men who simply repeat the sins and evil of those before them. Sin is never creative, but merely imitative and repetitious ... Evil carries a built-in yawn. `And he walked in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin.'"
8 people found this helpful
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Brad Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars A tool for the enjoyment of Old Testament History
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2006
If you ever wondered if you could read books like first Kings with a real sesne of enjoyment, you can. Dr. Davis takes the reader on a tour of the book that opens up a whole new world on an Old Testament Book. This commentary is a great tool for the new believer to get a better grasp on the history of the redemption of the people of God. This book is so valuable because it gives you a greater appreciation for reading the Word of God.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Nellycl
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2014
Verified Purchase
Brilliant exposition! I would highly recommend it
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