Richard Nelson examines the 'Book of Kings' and treats the text as theological literature, emphasizing th literary impact of this important part of the old Testament canon.

Nelson deftly draws the reader into an intimate engagement with the text of Kings itself, facilitating an encounter between biblical text and reader.

Nelson recognises Kings as a useful though uncritical source for historical information, its purpose to transform the beliefs of its first readers, to get them to re-evaluate their identity before God.

His interpretation deals straightforwardly with the political intrigues and international machinations of the Kings, prophets, and military leaders of Israel and Judah, accepting the understanding that God, at times almost scandalously uses the wickedness and scheming to bring about divine intention (as in the choosing of Solomon for King).

Nelson's impressive volume speaks to the concerns of the twentieth century church as addressed in this ancient Jewish historiographic work. A very readable commentary,