Engaging, perceptive, and academically thorough, the New Beacon Bible Commentary will expand your understanding and deepen your appreciation for the meaning and message of each book of the Bible.Spanning four hundred years, the books of First and Second Kings tell the stories of Judah's and Israel's rulers from the end of David's reign to the exile. As the final section of the Hebrew Bible's Former Prophets, these narratives give special attention to the choices these rulers made and the consequences that ensued. For readers then and now, within these writings are entwined stories of both warning and hope.Karen Strand Winslow, the author of this engaging New Beacon Bible Commentary, has skillfully probed the depths of these remarkable writings. Drawing on the tools of archaeology, geography, history, and textual analysis, Dr. Winslow has crafted an outstanding exploration of the composition, theology, and application of the biblical text. Particularly useful is the inclusion of six maps to illustrate significant geographical references. Here again is another exceptional addition to the NBBC line.Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, this indispensable commentary provides pastors, professional scholars, teachers, and Bible students with a critical, relevant, and inspiring interpretation of the Word of God in the 21st century.EACH VOLUME FEATURES: CONTEMPORARY SCHOLARSHIP from notable experts in the Wesleyan theological tradition CLEAR VERSE-BY-VERSE EXPLANATIONS, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the biblical text in its original language COMPREHENSIVE ANNOTATION divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertexuality, and application from the text