APOSTASY, DESTRUCTION AND HOPE:
2 Kings simply explained
By Roger Ellsworth. Evangelical Press. 270 pages. £8.95
ISBN 0 85234 510 0
'Simply' says the sub-title, and that says it all! First or early readers of 2 Kings will find Dr. Ellsworth a helpful guide. He is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Benton, Illinois, and writes with a pastor's touch and heart.
The great hazard for commentators on the historical books is simply to put the story in their own words. Ellsworth does not altogether avoid this, but neither does he fall into the pit of simply re-telling 2 Kings and calling it a commentary. He provides an abundance (even if not, to be frank, a treasury) of exposition and application. Preachers will find pointers to method and an occasional nugget; those who desire a penetrating exploration of Kings must look elsewhere; but Dr. Ellsworth could hardly be bettered as a starter. He keeps us abreast of the history; he is, for the most part, sure-footed in explanation, though, in exposition, he tends to leap rather too quickly and easily into the New Testament.
