About a decade ago, when I was working in a Christian bookshop, 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.
So what, you say: I can read the Bible without commentaries. Sure you can, and the Holy Spirit is pretty good at getting his message across. But a good commentary can help enormously, especially when the Holy Spirit seems reluctant to enlighten us on a particularly awkward passage.
I mention Davis' commentaries with good reason. Firstly, they're very readable and not in the least bit heavy-going. Secondly, (without being at all contradictory) they're not lightweight; they really tell you something about the Bible text, its background and the way the stories are put together.
Thirdly, Davis is no slouch. He's a pastor, a preacher and a writer. And he's a Bible scholar. I love the way he'll comment on a text and then give in the footnotes his views on other commentators who disagree with him. He's never unpleasant towards these other writers, but it's plain that he's done his homework, and his reasons for saying what he does are valid.
Fourthly, he tells great stories. Time and again, he'll back up his discussion of a piece of Scripture with a story from the American Civil War, or the Second World War (remember there are a lot of battles from Judges through to 2 Kings), or from his own experience. And he often tells these stories with humour. In fact, that's a fifth reason I like him: he has a great sense of humour, and his wit shines out on page after page.
Sixthly, he treats the text with great respect. If something is there, it's 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, the answers aren't easy for modern readers.
And a seventh reason is that he remembers 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 when at firstthere doesn't appear to be any.
You don't have to read all six commentaries (although you'd enjoy them, I'm sure). In 2006 Davis produced a book called The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts. While this book focuses 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. The book is only 154 pages long, it's easy to read, but it doesn't lack depth. Check it out. It's published by Christian Focus Publications, as are the six commentaries.
