F. W. Farrar's commentary on the Second Book of Kings, part of the Expositor's Bible series edited by W. Robertson Nicoll, approaches the biblical text with a blend of historical criticism and homiletic exposition. The excerpt on Hezekiah illustrates Farrar's method: he cites the king's destruction of the Nehushtan (the bronze serpent) as an act of 'purity of worship,' while noting the textual ambiguity that the phrase may be impersonal. Farrar also draws on extra-biblical evidence, such as the 1880 discovery of Hezekiah's tunnel inscription, to corroborate the biblical account of improved water supply. This integration of archaeology and textual analysis is characteristic of the volume.

Hezekiah's Reforms and the Nehushtan Episode

Farrar devotes considerable attention to Hezekiah's religious reforms, particularly the destruction of the bronze serpent called Nehushtan. He notes that the historian regards Hezekiah as the best of Judah's kings, superior to all predecessors and successors, because he adhered to the Deuteronomic ideal. Farrar observes that the phrase 'one called it Nehushtan' may be impersonal, suggesting the assonance lost any ironic connotation. This careful handling of textual ambiguity is typical of Farrar's approach: he acknowledges uncertainty while drawing moral and historical lessons. He also connects Hezekiah's reforms to the broader political context, including the king's revolt against Assyria and his successful campaign against the Philistines.

Archaeological Corroboration and Historical Method

Farrar frequently appeals to archaeological discoveries to support the biblical narrative. He cites the inscription on the walls of Hezekiah's subterranean tunnel, discovered in 1880, as 'a most interesting confirmation' of the king's engineering works. This reference places the commentary in its late-Victorian context, when biblical archaeology was gaining prominence. Farrar also uses extrabiblical sources to fill in historical gaps, such as the state of Judah under Ahaz: 'an empty treasury, a ruined peasantry, an unprotected frontier, and a shattered army.' While he does not provide a footnote for this quotation, it exemplifies his reliance on contemporary scholarship to reconstruct the historical setting.

The Role of Poetry and Prophetic Influence

Farrar incorporates poetic texts to illustrate the spiritual mood of the nation. He quotes the Forty-Sixth Psalm at length, describing it as expressing 'the invincible spirit of a nation which in its penitence and self-purification began to feel itself irresistible.' This use of psalmody as historical evidence is noteworthy: Farrar treats the psalm not merely as liturgy but as a reflection of Hezekiah's era. He also emphasizes the influence of Isaiah on the king's policies, stating that Hezekiah's defiance of Assyria followed 'the exhortations of Isaiah.' The commentary thus presents a symbiotic relationship between prophetic counsel and royal action, though Farrar acknowledges uncertainty about the chronology of Isaiah's prophecies.

Readers approaching Farrar's commentary should expect a work that balances critical scholarship with devotional application. The volume assumes familiarity with the biblical text and engages with contemporary debates, such as the dating of Isaiah's prophecies and the reliability of the Deuteronomic historian. Farrar's prose is accessible but dense, and his frequent citations of Hebrew terms and archaeological findings reward careful reading. This edition is best used alongside a Bible and a map of ancient Israel.