1 Kings: Reformed Expository Commentary [REC]

Philip Graham Ryken is president of Wheaton College. He is Bible teacher for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, speaking nationally on the radio program Every Last Word. Dr. Ryken was educated at Wheaton College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and the University of Oxford, where he received his doctorate in historical theology. He and his wife, Lisa, have five children.

1 Kings compresses 400 years of history into about 50,000 words which tells you that it was not written first of all as a history book but as the cutting edge Word of God to His people. Philip Ryken knows this and with his usual deftness of touch he makes the narrative live, and with rare pastoral skill he applies its truth with vigor.. Be prepared to find yourself troubled by the perversity of human nature and frustrated by the cycles of human foolishness. But be prepared too to find yourself amazed by the majesty of the God who reigns over all and causes the wrath of man to praise Him, and by the grace of God who in every age and stage leaves a witness to Himself and moves history forward towards the unveiling of Him who is King of kings. -- Liam Goligher, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA

"Ryken’s historical, literary, theological, and pastoral gifts combine to make him an excellent guide into the riches of 1 Kings. These sermons demonstrate deep understanding of and love for God, which leads to a good understanding of human beings, which in turns leads to solid application for today. This lively and reverent treatment of this book will aid pastors and small group leaders who wish to share this neglected book in engaging ways. It rewards careful reading done with a reverent heart." -- Paul House, Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University

"Sadly for many North American Christians the Old Testament is a dead book, often treated merely as a foil against which to interpret the New Testament. Phil Ryken’s work goes much work goes much farther. The author, an accomplished expositor and preacher, wrestles seriously with the form and message of 1 Kings for its original audience, its place in redemptive history, and its significance for today. This volume is a model of exposition, combining thorough and responsible exegesis with a passion to communicate the life-giving power of Old Testament Scriptures for the church." -- Daniel I. Block, D.Phil., Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College, IL

"Philip Graham Ryken finds himself on the short list of highly-gifted expositors in this generation. In this volume, you will find biblical preaching at its best—text-driven, doctrinally-sound, Christ-centered, and practically-relevant. Dr. Ryken has done the church an enormous service by providing this excellent resource for pastors and teachers to aid in their sermon and lesson preparation. This book is also an invaluable tool to help believers in their devotional lives. Consider how few volumes contain solid, expository preaching through this often neglected book of 1 Kings. Yet this is surely one of those works—clear, compelling, scholarly, pastoral, challenging, heart-searching, and life-changing. I, myself, cannot imagine preaching through 1 Kings without first consulting this important work." -- Steven J. Lawson, Senior Pastor, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama