Dale Davis Books

Dr. D. Ralph Davis has done a remarkable job in this book. He has shown repeatedly how to preach (& teach) through Old Testament passages in ways that are faithful to the Christian Story without going completely into an historical-redemptive approach. But he has also avoided the opposite malady of falling into the 'Nice Moral Stories' trap. Bible teachers, preachers, and just plain Bible lovers will all gain richly from this book.

Dr. Davis has written mulitple homiletical commentaries on the historical books. Having read these I was eager to read The Word Became Fresh and it did not disappoint! He has a passion for the narrative sections of the Old Testament, and that passion shows clearly in his writing. "But many simply write the Old Testament off. If it's as complicated as they have been taught, it is far too bewildering and esoteric for them to bother about, except for dipping into the Psalms for occasional funerals." (preface). Fortunately, the author is very helpful in making the OT accessible for the preacher who desires to preach "the whole counsel of God". Many of his tips and suggestions seem obvious, and yet he shows how they make the OT narratives come alive and suggest many fruitful directions a preacher can go in preaching them. Davis is also very humble and entertaining as he writes - a rare bonus! And there are little nuggets of wisdom and direction throughout the book:

"We are guilty of arrogance, not merely neglect, when we fail to beg for the Spirit's help in the study of Scripture." (pp. 1).

"In my view, however, if we omit 'application,' we fail to answer the 'So what?', we are short-circuiting the whole purpose of Scripture (and 'is profitable for..,' 2 Tim. 3:16). If I cannot rub the results of my labor into the pores of the souls of God's people (or of pagans), why am I taking the trouble to do this? If what I study won't preach, there is something wrong with the way I study what I study." (pp. 7).

This book is very helpful and practical and I would highly recommend it to any preacher who wants to faithfully preach from the OT to his congregation.

About a decade ago one of my former customers encouraged me to read the first of Dale Ralph Davis' Old Testament commentaries. It was on the Book of Judges, and subsequently, Davis produced commentaries on Joshua, 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings, all of which I acquired and read - usually more than once.

If six commentaries strike you as too much for one book review, then the solution is to check out the book Davis produced in 2006 called The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts. While this book does focus on preaching the OT, it also gives a clear outline of Davis' approach to studying the OT, and I believe you'd be hard pressed to find a better overview of OT Bible study anywhere.

This book, like Davis' commentaries, is very readable and not at all heavy-going. Nor, on the other hand, is it lightweight; while Davis doesn't have the room here to work in detail, as he does in the commentaries, he still discusses background and structure.

Davis is no slouch: he not only preaches what he writes, but he's also a full-blown Bible scholar. His footnotes often contain the views of other commentators he disagrees with. While he's never unpleasant towards these other writers, it's plain he's done his homework, and his reasons for saying what he does are valid.

He's also a great storyteller. Both in this book and in his commentaries he backs up his arguments with stories from the American Civil War, or the Second World War (remember there are a lot of battles in the narratives!), or from his own experience. His own stories, like the rest of his writing, are full of wit and good humour.

He treats the text with great respect. If something is there, he sees it as being there for a good reason. If it's obscure he'll do his best to elucidate it, but he won't speculate just so he can give an answer. Sometimes he admits that the answers aren't easy for modern readers.

Perhaps his greatest gift is to remember that the Bible is literature. Time and again he clarifies the layout of a section or chapter by looking to see how the writer has planned the story. This is one of Davis' great skills: to be able to see the structure in the midst of what might appear to be randomness.

This is a book for preachers, teachers and lay people. I can't recommend it highly enough!

The title is descriptive of the content. With his characteristic wit and penetrating application, Dale Ralph Davis shows us how to read the Old Testament Narrative texts and hear the voice of God from them. Buy it. Read it. Digest it. Apply it. Enjoy it.

Ralph Davis has done an excellent service by providing a very readable yet challenging primer on Hebrew narrative. If you are familiar with the text of the Old Testament, it is simply too easy to pass over the nuances within the text that actually establish the tension and complexity of a good narrative. I thoroughly recommend this book for everyone who wants to read their Bible. If you are in a teaching capacity, say in Sunday School, this will challenge you to read familiar texts with fresh eyes.

The freshness Davis brings is not a quest for novelty (as is often the case for books like this), but rather a freshness of pulling out both the magnifying glass and the telescope. The tapestry of God's Word is much more exciting if you can see the individual stitches and if you can see the whole pattern. Worth your time.

I'm not one who generally buys Bible commentaries. Nor am I one who generally buys books of any kind by an author I have never heard of. The reason I bought this particular commentary (from an author I had never heard of) is because I have a slight addiction to heavily discounted books.

This commentary by Dale Ralph Davis will, I'm afraid, only further my addiction. Its value far exceeds what I paid for it.

Davis uses fresh, succinct, and insightful language to convey the meaning of each passage and to draw out its pastoral implications.

Allow me to share a couple snippets.

Speaking of Israel's infidelity and Yahweh's wrath in Judges 3, Davis says,

"Yahweh's wrath is the heat of his jealous love by which he refuses to let go of his people; he refuses to allow his people to remain comfortable in sin. Serving Cushan-rishathaim may not sound like salvation to us -- and it isn't, but, if it forces us to lose our grip on Baal, it may be the beginning of salvation. We must confess that Yahweh's anger is not good news nor is it bad news but good bad news."

And again, regarding the incident of Samson and the lion in Judges 14:

"The mangled lion is meant as Yahweh's sign to Samson. It shows him what Yahweh can and will do through him...

We must not ignore such previews. David argued that if Yahweh made him able to wipe out the lions and bears that attacked Jesse's sheep, he would also give him guts and skill to knock off the King Kong of Philistia (1 Sam. 17:34-37). Mark suggests that if the disciples had understood the feeding of the 5,000 they would not have been astounded at Jesus' presence on the lake (Mark 6:51-52). No, you needn't expect lions to come roaring out of vineyards; but you should notice this pattern in God's ways. He will, by some smaller episode of deliverance or provision, show you how adequate he is so that you will be encouraged to rely on him in upcoming and possibly more demanding circumstances."

Here is an author who truly bridges the gap between the ancient text and the modern reader. Davis writes in an incredibly readable style. He is an Old Testament scholar who doesn't sound like one. His illustrations and applications are interesting and relevant, yet anchored to the message that the original author intended. His insight is evident in this quote from page 96:
"Here is an amazing paradox. Gideon must have assurance of Yahweh's promise, but when assurance comes, it terrifies rather than fortifies him. . . We western Christians do not understand Gideon's agony. Such talk is strange to us. We long to reach our warm hand through the print of our Bible page, pat Gideon's shoulder, and sooth him with `Don't worry, Brother Gideon, God's not really scary like that - if only you had a New testament...' A pained, perplexed look could come over Gideon as if he had just heard a theological ignoramus. And so he did. This sort of talk (v.22) is strange to us, because we have no real sense of the terror and awesomeness of God, for we think intimacy with God is an inalienable right rather than an indescribable gift."

That thought alone is worth the price of the book. I eagerly look forward to reading his latest volume on 1 Kings.

With his simple, practical style, D. Ralph Davis is one of the most readable and incisive Old Testament commentators around.

What one most appreciates about his commentaries is his applicatory style as he simply and clearly exposits the book according to the biblical account. This commentary is not concerned with academic minutiae of the Judges account - it is meant to aid the pastor to bring out the essence of the text. Davis somehow manages to nurse the marrow out of the Hebrew text and present it for your delightful and worshipful consumption in the redemptive-historical context. This commentary is a great aid for pastors - one of the best authors I have read for preaching in an Old Testament book.

I enjoy his writing so much I use my copy as a devotional study with my wife. I can also highly recommend his book on Joshua as well. His books should be in every Christian pastor and lay person's library.

If you ever wondered if you could read books like first Kings with a real sesne of enjoyment, you can. Dr. Davis takes the reader on a tour of the book that opens up a whole new world on an Old Testament Book. This commentary is a great tool for the new believer to get a better grasp on the history of the redemption of the people of God. This book is so valuable because it gives you a greater appreciation for reading the Word of God.

"Have you ever wondered why bits of the Bible are boring?" asks Dale Ralph Davis with refreshing honesty.

Such open honesty characterises this sane and sensible commentary on 1 Kings. Perhaps the words `sane' and `sensible' give the impression that the book is itself rather dull and boring, but not so.

In a way that is refreshing, humorous and penetrating Davis opens up the book of 1 Kings and provides sound, wholesome teaching. It is only when you look in the footnotes at some of the weird and wonderful interpretations from various scholars that you begin to appreciate the quality of what Davis is giving to you. His quick-fire no-compromising-with-scripture demolition job of these authors, coupled with his simple clarity, reassures the reader that, in the words of Dick Lucas, we are in "a safe strong pair of hands to guide us through the treasure - and the uninspiring bits - of 1 Kings."

This is a superbly easy-to-read book on 1 Kings. There is clear explanation, and there is excellent illustration, with the central theme of each section being plainly set out. But the thing I liked best was the incisive application. It is not possible to read this book and feel unchallenged.

But what is there to be learnt? Davis guides us through such themes as the majesty of God, prayer, wise living, and God's faithfulness. He brings a challenge to shake us out of our complacency.

Look out for other books by this author - he has also written on Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel.

And why are bits of the Bible `boring'? "Because they are the records of sinful men who simply repeat the sins and evil of those before them. Sin is never creative, but merely imitative and repetitious ... Evil carries a built-in yawn. `And he walked in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin.'"

I have now read every one of D. Ralph Davis' commentaries (Judges, Joshua, I Sam., II Sam., I Kgs) -- all consisently excellent. In fact, if I had just one commentary on each of those books I'd select Davis.

Davis is a former Old Testament seminary professor, with a PhD., but has also been a pastor (Presbyterian -- PCA) for many years. These are all non-technical, unfootnoted, homiletical treatments. They are theologically rich, always Christocentric (or at least Christo-telic), well-illustrated, and relentlessly practical. Davis can turn a clever phrase like no other commentator, often tweaking a cliche to turn it on its head. Indispensible.

I was shocked that fellow PCAer Tremper Longman did not even include any Ralph Davis books in his survey of commentaries (though Longman analyzes lots and lots of inferior works).

I have two copies of each of Davis' commentaries (one for home, one for the office).

I have not really found other works on I Kings nearly as helpful. Ray Dillard's short work on the Elijah and Elisha narratives was the closest. Wiseman in the Tyndale set was perfectly competent and sound, but nowhere near as convicting as Davis.

Dale Ralph Davis has done it again! Once more, he has given us an excellent preaching resource as he takes us through still another of the Historical Books, taking us on a verse by verse journey that is both textually astute, carefully crafted, and wonderfully practical. Davis has taught seminary courses on how to preach from the Older Testament and he fills each of his books with material that is both true to the text while at the same time being practical and "preachable." This book is a "must have" for the serious preacher and/or student of the Bible.

My first exposure to Dale Ralph Davis was his 1 Kings commentary, The Wisdom and the Folly. When I started preparing my preaching series on the lives of Elijah and Elisha, I read the commentary cover-to-cover, along with a bunch of other commentaries. Hands down, Davis was the most helpful. He's knowledgeable, Biblical, and creative. Creative in his presentation, and in his desire to dig in to the passages, and find what's really there, rather than just go with the hoary old received wisdom that we've all heard a million times before.

I have to say, he turned my understanding of 1 Kings 19 (Elijah at Horeb) inside out. I had studied that passage in depth in Seminary, translating it myself, writing a research paper on it, but Davis pointed out some features of the story that had me smacking my forehead - of course! That's so vital! And I'd never seen it before.

I rushed to my laptop and ordered his 2 Kings commentary, which I've now read cover to cover. It is fabulous. Davis has a way of opening up the difficult and boring passages to show why the author included them in the narrative. I've now added all of Davis' Joshua through Samuel volumes to my wish list.

If what you are looking for is a deeply exegetical discussion of 1 Samuel, this is not the book for you. While Davis' work is based upon sound exegesis, it is more of a practical explanation of the text in ways that are easily understood and applied. No pastor who takes the Bible seriously should fail to have this book on his shelf when studying 1 Samuel. His commentary on 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings are also equally as helpful.

D. Ralph Davis' commentaries (Judges, Joshua, I Sam., II Sam., I Kgs) -- ALL are consisently amazing. In fact, if I had just one commentary on each of thsoe books I'd take Davis.

Davis is a former OT seminary prof, with a PhD., but has also been a pastor (Presbyterian PCA) for many years. These are all non-technical, unfootnoted, homiletical treatments. They are theologically rich, always Christocentric (or at least Christo-telic), well-illustrated, and relentlessly practical. Davis can turn a clever phrase like very few writers.

I was shocked that fellow PCAer Tremper Longman did not even include any Ralph Davis books in his survey of commentaries (though Longman treats lots and lots of inferior works).

I have two copies of each of Davis' commentaries (one for home, one for the office).

Davis is the best, but there are some other works on I Sam that are also good. Peter Leithart's A Son to Me is a little too speculative on the typology, but is often brilliant. Joyce Baldwin's volume is one of th very best in the whole (excellent) Tyndale OT set.

I have used all of Dale Ralph Davis' commentaries (Judges, Joshua, I Sam., II Sam., I Kgs) -- every one of them is consisently excellent. In fact, if I had just one commentary on each of thsoe books I'd select Davis.

Davis is a former Old Testament seminary professor, with a PhD., but has also been a pastor (Presbyterian PCA) for many years. These are all non-technical, unfootnoted, homiletical treatments. They are theologically rich, always Christocentric (or at least Christo-telic), well-illustrated, and relentlessly practical. Davis can turn a clever phrase like no other commentator, often tweaking a cliche to turn it on its head. Indispensible.

I was shocked that fellow PCAer Tremper Longman did not even include any Ralph Davis books in his survey of commentaries (though Longman analyzes lots and lots of inferior works).

I have two copies of each of Davis' commentaries (one for home, one for the office).

I have not really found other works on Joshua nearly as helpful. James M. Boice (1991) is solid but dry. Woudstra in teh fine NICOT series is scholarly, more technical, and reliable; Peter Jeffrey (1999 is decent, but somewhat moralistic; John A. Huffman (1986, Word Communicator's Comm.) was disappointing.

This is a well-written, informative commentary on a generally under-appreciated and ignored book of the Bible. Davis brings the text to life with his keen observations and engaging writing. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the Bible better, but finds normal heady theological prose too inaccessible.

I went into a local cigar store a novice and came out, well, a novice still, but with this excellent book on loan and a few introductory smokes. Not being an avid reader these days, I didn't know that I'd be that interested in a book like this. Especially because I wasn't that into cigars...yet. But I couldn't put this book down. I really enjoyed how it was written and how informative it is. It flows well and is easy to read and very interesting. I think novice smokers (like I am) just wanting to read what cigars are all about would find this book very enjoyable yet those experienced cigar smokers I'm sure would take pleasure in it as well.

This is an superb, relatively short book on the A to Z's of cigars. Including choosing a fine cigar to lighting and enjoying one as well as all the details. I would reccommend this fine book to a seasoned smoker as well as an experienced one. Mr. Scott shares his 35 years of experience on the topic in a format that is easy to understand. Enjoy!!

If you have never read Ralph Davis' commentaries, you are missing a real treat! He has a depth of insight and the way he applies the Scriptures is truly fantastic. His academic ability is shown, but he does not over power you with it. His OT commentaries are great for Bible study and seeing how an ancient text applies in the 21st century. If you don't own them, you need to get them today.

This is an excellent commentary which serves to explore the life of David while focusing on the "main" character in the book, God, and His unfolding plans. Good exposition, solid analysis, insightful and humorous, I highly recommend it.

This is a fine early biography of Western stars Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. It describes each one's personal and professional struggles, (Roy as a cowboy actor of growing popularity who maintains a close family life; Dale as a divorced teenage single mom who rises through the show business ranks as a singer and actress). Once they appear together in the movie, "The Cowboy and the Senorita", Roy and Dale have real chemistry together, and become a team. And later,when Roy, a widower with young children, asks single mother Dale to marry him, she accepts.

Problems occur when Roy's small children refuse to accept Dale as their new mother. Dale's grown son Tom --who has happily accepted Roy as his new dad-- attempts to resolve the situation by encouraging Dale to take the young children to church and Sunday School. Tom has found it helpful in his own life, and has the same hopes for his mother's situation. When Dale starts bringing the children to church, their lives begin to turn around. And not long afterward, when Roy and Dale's daughter, Robin, is born with Down syndrome, this faith becomes the light which sees them through their difficulties.

I loved this book. There are many wonderfully detailed vignettes of Roy and Dale's professional and personal lives: their wedding; their family life; their many friends; their show tours: the writing of Dale's book about Robin, "Angel Unaware", and the blessings that this book gave to other people; their compassionate visits to sick and crippled children; and their integrity which extended even to the products associated with their names, (Roy refused to have his name on any shoddy or dangerous products). And, above all, there is the legacy of their Christian witness: Roy and Dale not only read their Bible, they lived by its teachings. They really were good guys.