Evaluation

Overall Score: 7.8/10

A pastorally solid, clearly written exposition of Kings that will serve preaching and teaching well.

Publication Date(s): 2011

Pages: 378

ISBN: 9781844745500

Faithfulness to the Text: 8/10

Olley handles the narrative flow of 1 & 2 Kings with care and remains close to the text, though he does not engage every textual-critical nuance.

Christ Centredness: 7/10

While the author roots the work in the Old Testament, explicit New-Testament Christological connections could be deeper for a Reformed reader.

Depth of Insight: 7/10

The book offers solid theological reflection and helpful angles, but it is not exhaustive in scholarly depth or technical commentary.

Clarity of Writing: 9/10

Olley writes with clarity and accessibility, making the material very usable for sermon and workshop preparation.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8/10

This volume serves pastors, teachers and lay-leaders with practical reflections and sermon-friendly exposition of kingship, covenant and exile.

Readability: 9/10

The commentary is engaging and well organised, suitable for non-specialist readers without significant jargon.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 378 pages
Type: Application, Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 7.8 / 10
Strength: Accessible and theological commentary on Kings for teaching and preaching.
Limitation: Not the most technically robust or original-language heavy commentary.

In The Message of Kings, John W. Olley guides readers through 1 & 2 Kings with clarity, pastoral insight and theological sensitivity. He treats the narrative as “preached history” and invites us to reflect on how the story of Israel’s monarchy, failure and exile speaks into our own corporate and individual lives. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Olley does not aim at full technical exegesis, but rather at accessible explication and application—not simply what the text says, but what it means for God’s people now. He highlights themes of divine sovereignty, covenant loyalty, idolatry, and the necessity of trusting in Yahweh alone—drawing out relevance for church and pastor alike. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

For pastors and Bible-teachers needing a commentary that is both readable and grounded, this volume offers a sound choice. Its place in the Bible Speaks Today (BST) series means its aim is pastoral-expositional rather than highly technical, making it suited for sermon preparation and small-group work.

Olley brings scholarly credentials (Old-Testament specialist, academic appointments) which lend credibility yet he writes in language accessible to thoughtful ministers. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} He handles the theological weight of 1 & 2 Kings—judgment, exile, hope—with pastor’s heart and preacher’s clarity.

From a Reformed perspective, key strengths include the emphasis on God’s sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. At the same time one should note that the work does not deeply engage original-language data or heavy critical apparatus: it is more expository than highly technical.

Closing Recommendation

We therefore recommend The Message of Kings as a **Strong recommendation** for pastors-in-training, busy pastors, and lay-leaders who seek to teach 1 & 2 Kings with solid biblical and theological grounding. While not the final word for advanced Old-Testament scholarship, it is a trustworthy and pastorally useful resource.

For those seeking a more advanced, critical technical commentary, this will not replace that need—but for many preaching and teaching contexts it will serve very well.

🛒 Purchase here

Classification

Level: Mid-level
Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
Priority: Strong recommendation

Reviewed by

An Expositor

↑ Back to the top

The Message of Kings
by John W. Olley