Summary
We find Donald J. Wiseman’s 1 & 2 Kings in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series a steady companion for reading the passage in front of us, then carrying it into preaching and teaching with care. It keeps us close to the text, and it helps us see the shape of the argument without drowning us in detail.
The tone is measured and pastor-friendly. We are guided through key turns in the book, with enough background to avoid missteps, and with a consistent concern for what the Lord is saying through His Word.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
We should own this volume when we want a reliable guide that supports the move from exegesis to proclamation. It is not trying to do everything, but it repeatedly helps us put our finger on the main line and speak it clearly to the church.
We also benefit from the way it handles common difficulties. It tends to clarify what matters most, and it keeps application tethered to the passage rather than to our favourite themes.
For weekly preparation, it sits well alongside a more technical work. We can do specialist digging elsewhere, then return here for clarity, proportion, and a steady sense of what we should press home.
Closing Recommendation
We recommend this as a strong mid-level commentary for preaching and teaching 1 & 2 Kings. It will not answer every debated question, but it consistently helps us handle the text faithfully and speak with pastoral steadiness.
As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.
Donald J. Wiseman
Donald J. Wiseman was an English scholar of the twentieth century, an evangelical Christian and distinguished Assyriologist whose work helped pastors read the Old Testament with historical and linguistic confidence.
As Professor of Assyriology at the University of London, he brought deep knowledge of the ancient Near East into service of biblical interpretation. In Kings, Wiseman offers steady guidance through complex political history, showing how the narrative evaluates rulers by covenant loyalty and the Lord’s word. He helps readers see that the main issue is not Israel’s power but Israel’s worship, and that judgement and mercy unfold under God’s faithful rule.
He remains valued for careful scholarship, restrained conclusions, and a reverent regard for Scripture’s theological purpose. Recommended titles include 1 and 2 Kings in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, his contributions to Bible dictionaries, and his work on Assyriology and the background of the Old Testament.
Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical