Roger Ellsworth

1 Kings traces the history of God's people from the heights of glory and prosperity enjoyed during the reign of Solomon, through the subsequent division into separate northern and southern kingdoms, and on to the dark days of Elijah's lone stand on Mount Carmel against the worshippers of the false God Baal and its aftermath. The example of Solomon and those who followed him stands as a stark warning to Christians today of the serious consequences of disobedience to God's revealed Word. The show more same God who would not countenance devotion to false gods will brook no rivals in the affections of his people today.,1 Kings traces the history of God's people from the heights of glory and prosperity during the reign of Solomon to the dark days of Elijah's lone stand on Mount Carmel. But it is not only a story about human failure. It is also a book about God's sovereign purpose, which cannot be thwarted and defeated by human disobedience. show less

As 2 Kings opens, we find the people of God divided into two kingdoms: Israel and Judah. Neither kingdom was to last. By the end of the book both kingdoms had been taken captive - Israel by the Assyrians and, over 130 years later, Judah by the Babylonians. It is impossible for us today to comprehend adequately just how devastating it was for the Israelites to be taken into captivity in this way. They needed help, and the author of 2 Kings provided it for them. He wrote to explain why the show more exile had taken place, to urge them to guard against dangers which they faced while in exile and to give them hope for the future. show less