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The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts
"I still believe that traditional Old Testament criticism has had the effect of killing the Old Testament for the church. This little tome can hardly reverse that, but it is meant as an exercise in reading the Old Testament for fun and profit. As my mother-in-law used to say, 'It's different anyway.' And maybe it will help. Most of what I do in the following pages involves discussing examples of Old Testament narratives. I have tried to select examples from a broad range of possibilities. By the way, I assume that you have the biblical text handy in order to carry on your 'Berean' work." Dale Ralph Davis
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
47 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Dale Ralph Davis
31 books59 followersDale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 13, 2024
Many people seem to be intimidated and unsettled by the Old Testament. Even among Christians most plainly avoid reading it all the way through. They may glance at little snippets here and there; refer back to it when reading some text from the New Testament that mentions an Old Testament passage; or paste a heartwarming verse from Joshua, the Psalms or one of the prophets on their wall plaques. But truth be told, most Christians find the Old Testament, and especially the narratives, perplexing. And so do many preachers. Ask yourself two questions: (1) when was the last time you heard a sermon series or Sunday School series that walked the congregation through an Old Testament book? And (2) on balance, which portion of the Bible gets more press coverage in your congregation? And yet, if the Apostle Paul could boldly claim, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15.4); and even our Lord Jesus, after his resurrection, could unashamedly begin “with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24.27; see also 24.44-47), then surely the Old Testament is the friend of Christ’s people and Christ’s preachers. That is where Dale Ralph Davis, Minister in Residence at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina and one time Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, comes to our rescue with his 154 page paperback, “The Word Became Fresh: How to Preach from Old Testament Narrative Texts.”
“The Word Became Fresh” has one central aim: helping the preacher to practice and preach properly the Old Testament, “These pages therefore focus on the proper interpretation of Old Testament narratives in preparation for preaching” (i). The author carefully, humorously, and engagingly walks the reader through various aspects necessary in rightly reading the Old Testament. Each chapter is chock full of samplings and demonstrations that can be easily grasped and quickly become highly devotional.
In the nine chapters of the book, Davis covers solid material. At the outset he looks into how we should approach our study of the Old Testament (or any of God’s Scriptures-texts) as “beggars for the Spirit’s help” (2). He then guides us along showing the reader how and why to be alert to the literary quirks of a narrative passage. Next he slides us into seeing the theology of passages, the stuff that it says and means “about God, his ways and his works” (31). The way a story is packaged, how its organization “and packaging reveal care and thoughtfulness about the whole ordeal” (45) is addressed in the fourth chapter. Davis then boldly goes where most preachers hate to go, diving into the “nasties” of the Old Testament; those passages that make readers, preachers and teachers cringe. The author, next, shows the value of looking at the “macroscope” of a narrative, where it fits within the flow of the Old Testament book in which it resides. Following this, Davis shows how passages are and aren’t to be applied in preaching (something he has actually been exhibiting all along in the book). Then the author explains and expounds that the central focus of every Old Testament narrative is theocentric, which means that in “all our reading we should keep our eye on God – what he is revealing about himself and how he is working” (121). Finally, Davis wraps the book together by giving the reader an opportunity to walk with him through Exodus 1 and 2, applying all that they have learned. In the book Davis does take sides on a few of the debates simmering among the “Reformed,” but he does so charitably and without getting tangled up in the fishing net. And I must say that every piece of the hermeneutical pie Davis has baked is delectable and digestible.
Now please don’t let the subtitle of the book fool you. Though Davis is trying to encourage and help preachers to take the bold plunge into the Old Testament and preach it, nevertheless the material between the covers of “The Word Became Fresh” is accessible to Bible class teachers, moms, dads, camp counselors, prisoners, school teachers, headmasters, professors, and street maintenance workers. As a matter of fact, I found the whole book devotional. If a reader didn’t have time to indulge in a specific chapter at one sitting, it would be easy to imbibe in one chapter section at a time. For example, Chapter Three, “Theology,” covers Genesis 12, Genesis 23, Genesis 26, and Genesis 29.31-30.24. The reader could easily take each of these passages and segments one day at a time: read the Bible passage being covered, then Davis’s comments on it in the book, and finally take a moment to praise God for what you have just learned, or pray that God might make what you have just studied alive in your heart and awash in your day. Then on the following morning pick up the next passage and book section, doing this all the way to the end of the book. It will be time well invested.
“The Word Became Fresh” is a clear, concise and accommodating manual for anyone wanting to come to the Old Testament and benefit from it. This would be a nice gift for your preacher and it would be a valuable addition to your own library. I even think it could be used in an adult Bible class, and covered in one quarter. I first read this work in 2007, and was delighted to be refreshed by a second read (2014), now some seven years later. And I have completed a third reading in 2020. My review still stands! And I still eagerly recommend this book.
“The Word Became Fresh” has one central aim: helping the preacher to practice and preach properly the Old Testament, “These pages therefore focus on the proper interpretation of Old Testament narratives in preparation for preaching” (i). The author carefully, humorously, and engagingly walks the reader through various aspects necessary in rightly reading the Old Testament. Each chapter is chock full of samplings and demonstrations that can be easily grasped and quickly become highly devotional.
In the nine chapters of the book, Davis covers solid material. At the outset he looks into how we should approach our study of the Old Testament (or any of God’s Scriptures-texts) as “beggars for the Spirit’s help” (2). He then guides us along showing the reader how and why to be alert to the literary quirks of a narrative passage. Next he slides us into seeing the theology of passages, the stuff that it says and means “about God, his ways and his works” (31). The way a story is packaged, how its organization “and packaging reveal care and thoughtfulness about the whole ordeal” (45) is addressed in the fourth chapter. Davis then boldly goes where most preachers hate to go, diving into the “nasties” of the Old Testament; those passages that make readers, preachers and teachers cringe. The author, next, shows the value of looking at the “macroscope” of a narrative, where it fits within the flow of the Old Testament book in which it resides. Following this, Davis shows how passages are and aren’t to be applied in preaching (something he has actually been exhibiting all along in the book). Then the author explains and expounds that the central focus of every Old Testament narrative is theocentric, which means that in “all our reading we should keep our eye on God – what he is revealing about himself and how he is working” (121). Finally, Davis wraps the book together by giving the reader an opportunity to walk with him through Exodus 1 and 2, applying all that they have learned. In the book Davis does take sides on a few of the debates simmering among the “Reformed,” but he does so charitably and without getting tangled up in the fishing net. And I must say that every piece of the hermeneutical pie Davis has baked is delectable and digestible.
Now please don’t let the subtitle of the book fool you. Though Davis is trying to encourage and help preachers to take the bold plunge into the Old Testament and preach it, nevertheless the material between the covers of “The Word Became Fresh” is accessible to Bible class teachers, moms, dads, camp counselors, prisoners, school teachers, headmasters, professors, and street maintenance workers. As a matter of fact, I found the whole book devotional. If a reader didn’t have time to indulge in a specific chapter at one sitting, it would be easy to imbibe in one chapter section at a time. For example, Chapter Three, “Theology,” covers Genesis 12, Genesis 23, Genesis 26, and Genesis 29.31-30.24. The reader could easily take each of these passages and segments one day at a time: read the Bible passage being covered, then Davis’s comments on it in the book, and finally take a moment to praise God for what you have just learned, or pray that God might make what you have just studied alive in your heart and awash in your day. Then on the following morning pick up the next passage and book section, doing this all the way to the end of the book. It will be time well invested.
“The Word Became Fresh” is a clear, concise and accommodating manual for anyone wanting to come to the Old Testament and benefit from it. This would be a nice gift for your preacher and it would be a valuable addition to your own library. I even think it could be used in an adult Bible class, and covered in one quarter. I first read this work in 2007, and was delighted to be refreshed by a second read (2014), now some seven years later. And I have completed a third reading in 2020. My review still stands! And I still eagerly recommend this book.
February 6, 2023
All Bible preachers should read this.
May 6, 2021
Dale Ralph Davis is my favorite (and probably the best living) Old Testament commentator. I only gave this 4/5 stars because I wanted the book to be about twice as long with about twice as many examples of his method.
April 25, 2022
The more I read Dale Ralph Davis, the more I like him. He is so easy (and fun) to read, and he provides wonderful insight and clarity on the texts he studies.
I especially appreciated the "Quad Promise" of chapter 3 (God's promise of people, protection, program, and place).
I especially appreciated the "Quad Promise" of chapter 3 (God's promise of people, protection, program, and place).
October 14, 2025
I loved this little book. It's easy to read, pastoral, and so so helpful. Davis makes the OT narratives come alive in a way that is unparalleled.
July 27, 2019
Dale Ralph Davis a pleasure to read, and that’s not merely because I enjoy the subject matter.
He can craft a clever sentence, share a great illustration that draws out the meaning of a text, and do so in a clear and not overly-academic way. His writing sings. He is a master at Old Testament narrative and this book shares some of his tools of the trade. Of course having a master explain his tools and using them yourself is another thing entirely, but I am now more equipped in the important genre of narrative and look forward to digging into the text, growing more myself, and sharing these tools with others. I don’t agree 100% with his take on preaching Christ from the OT, but understand where he’s coming from. It’s hard for me to not want to talk as much about Christ as possible! But as Davis says, we don’t want to shoehorn him into a Scripture that doesn’t naturally speak of Him.
He can craft a clever sentence, share a great illustration that draws out the meaning of a text, and do so in a clear and not overly-academic way. His writing sings. He is a master at Old Testament narrative and this book shares some of his tools of the trade. Of course having a master explain his tools and using them yourself is another thing entirely, but I am now more equipped in the important genre of narrative and look forward to digging into the text, growing more myself, and sharing these tools with others. I don’t agree 100% with his take on preaching Christ from the OT, but understand where he’s coming from. It’s hard for me to not want to talk as much about Christ as possible! But as Davis says, we don’t want to shoehorn him into a Scripture that doesn’t naturally speak of Him.
August 31, 2019
A very helpful & easy-to-read book for Bible preachers, teachers, and Bible study leaders, from a respected Old Testament expositor, seminary teacher, and pastor. One of the textbooks for Westminster Theological Seminary’s OT Theology for Ministry course.
February 3, 2015
Easy to read, entertaining, and spot on. Fun. And the guy can flat write.
October 27, 2020
I rarely give a 5 star review, but I did for this one. This was the most enjoyable book I read all year, and I've read 25 or so. Davies has a raw wit about him, sometimes it is too crude for dainty types, but it's right up my allie. He calls things for what they are in scripture. He retells biblical narratives in a way the commoner can grasp them. He makes the Bible come alive a bit.
This book is really about how to preach Old Testament narratives, and he excels. He doesnt present this like a professor or a textbook. He just casually gives some tips and examples of those tips played out using varying Bible narratives. You will certainly learn a thing or two about classic Bible stories that perhaps you never considered before. But more than anything, Davies does such a splendid job of walking the Bible student through how to read scripture as an interwoven whole with God at the center. No Bible story is an island an old preacher friend of mine always says, and Davies says the same thing in so many different words. If you want a relaxing but still provoking read, this is it.
This book is really about how to preach Old Testament narratives, and he excels. He doesnt present this like a professor or a textbook. He just casually gives some tips and examples of those tips played out using varying Bible narratives. You will certainly learn a thing or two about classic Bible stories that perhaps you never considered before. But more than anything, Davies does such a splendid job of walking the Bible student through how to read scripture as an interwoven whole with God at the center. No Bible story is an island an old preacher friend of mine always says, and Davies says the same thing in so many different words. If you want a relaxing but still provoking read, this is it.
July 21, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Davis is a wonderful guide to studying and preparing to preach Old Testament narrative and seeing as his commentaries are some of the most highly regarded for Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings, he's a trustworthy authority on the subject.
Davis is hilarious, winsome, balanced, and illustrative, all of which results in a rich and readable book on interpreting OT narrative.
He only gets 4* because of his section on not preaching Christocentric sermons from parts of the OT, and rather than a minor quibble I think it's of major importance to point to Christ from all of Scripture. Also, I wish he'd have given a few more clearly stated principles to help guide us in finding the authors thrust/main point, as it tended to be more examples of what he sees as the main idea and applications (which were wonderful).
Davis is hilarious, winsome, balanced, and illustrative, all of which results in a rich and readable book on interpreting OT narrative.
He only gets 4* because of his section on not preaching Christocentric sermons from parts of the OT, and rather than a minor quibble I think it's of major importance to point to Christ from all of Scripture. Also, I wish he'd have given a few more clearly stated principles to help guide us in finding the authors thrust/main point, as it tended to be more examples of what he sees as the main idea and applications (which were wonderful).
December 31, 2021
Another pastorally helpful book from DRD. He is honest upfront about what the book is and isn’t. He keeps his word and delivers on the subtitle more by way of his robust work with example passage than by way of laying out seven principles for interpretation. He shows you how to think through narrative texts, while offering up beautiful pastoral insights of specific passages.
Thankful for DRD.
Thankful for DRD.
March 25, 2025
“God - my exceeding joy. Do I usually think of him that way? Seek him as such? Have this God as the center of my vision? Must he, should he not be such even in - especially in - my biblical interpretation? Maybe our problem is a spiritual one. Maybe we are not salivating for the triune God as we read our Bibles. Maybe we are seeking sermons and not him. Maybe we are looking for Bible studies rather than for the Holy One of Israel. Maybe it's a matter of worship.”
February 15, 2019
Not a single handling of the Old Testament text by Ralph Davis is boring or predictable.
February 8, 2013
What a great read! Dale Ralph Davis is one of my favorite commentators (Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings; Psalms 1-12). This book on Preaching OT Narrative texts is worth the read for anyone preaching from any genre - it's just practical, helpful and enjoyable. Chapter 8, entitled "Center" is worth the small price of this little gem of a book. We must read OT narrative with a 'theocentric' focus. "In all our reading we should keep our eye on God - what he is revealing about himself and how he is working" (121).
"The Bible is a very doctrinal book - in fact, i find that most of my preaching is little else than a filling out of the doctrine of God, expounding the wonder and ways of the Trinity. But where better to preach this...doctrine than in narrative texts, where folks can see (if they are awake) the doctrinal bones clothed in narrative flesh?"
In that chapter he has an Addendum, that he says can be skipped - I would say it is the one section NOT to be skipped. He addresses here the issue of exposition that is clearly "Christocentric." He writes, "The question is not: Should we preach Christ from Old Testament texts? (Answer: Yes); but: *Must* we preach Christ from *every* Old Testament Text? Quite a number would say so. They point to his statements in John 5:39-40, 46, and in Luke 24:25-27, 44-47, and on this basis hold that Jesus affirms that every text in the Bible speaks of himself" (134)
I'll give you his brief answer, prefaced by my comment that Dale Ralph Davis is one of the finest Christocentric preachers I know of (In my Advanced Homiletics course in Seminary I listened to a number of his sermons as one of my evaluation assignments). He's making the same point that Ernest Kevan, the founding President of London Bible College once made: "Preach Christ out of every text, never into any text" yet, with even a further caveat: Davis writes, "...I think Jesus is teaching that *all parts* of the OT testify of the Messiah in his suffering and glory, but I do not think Jesus is saying that *every* OT passage/text bears witness to Him" (135).
The footnotes are as good as the text - and with equal underlining as I read through them. A master illustrator and a staunch defender of application. He writes concerning that: "Application or appropriation of Scripture is not so overwhelmingly difficult if one begins at the right place: 'Look into your own sinful heart, and back into your sinful life.' If a preacher has a lively sense of his own depravity he won't have much trouble applying Scripture" (Quoting Alexander Whyte). (93)
We deprive the people of God of rich storehouses of profitable truth if we fail to preach frequently from OT narrative. 'The whole counsel of God' and 'every word that proceeds from his mouth' out to buttress the plain truth of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - all Scripture is God-breathed, and all parts of Scripture ought to be part of the overall diet of God's people from the pulpit. You will find great help and stimulus here to be faithful to that charge.
"The Bible is a very doctrinal book - in fact, i find that most of my preaching is little else than a filling out of the doctrine of God, expounding the wonder and ways of the Trinity. But where better to preach this...doctrine than in narrative texts, where folks can see (if they are awake) the doctrinal bones clothed in narrative flesh?"
In that chapter he has an Addendum, that he says can be skipped - I would say it is the one section NOT to be skipped. He addresses here the issue of exposition that is clearly "Christocentric." He writes, "The question is not: Should we preach Christ from Old Testament texts? (Answer: Yes); but: *Must* we preach Christ from *every* Old Testament Text? Quite a number would say so. They point to his statements in John 5:39-40, 46, and in Luke 24:25-27, 44-47, and on this basis hold that Jesus affirms that every text in the Bible speaks of himself" (134)
I'll give you his brief answer, prefaced by my comment that Dale Ralph Davis is one of the finest Christocentric preachers I know of (In my Advanced Homiletics course in Seminary I listened to a number of his sermons as one of my evaluation assignments). He's making the same point that Ernest Kevan, the founding President of London Bible College once made: "Preach Christ out of every text, never into any text" yet, with even a further caveat: Davis writes, "...I think Jesus is teaching that *all parts* of the OT testify of the Messiah in his suffering and glory, but I do not think Jesus is saying that *every* OT passage/text bears witness to Him" (135).
The footnotes are as good as the text - and with equal underlining as I read through them. A master illustrator and a staunch defender of application. He writes concerning that: "Application or appropriation of Scripture is not so overwhelmingly difficult if one begins at the right place: 'Look into your own sinful heart, and back into your sinful life.' If a preacher has a lively sense of his own depravity he won't have much trouble applying Scripture" (Quoting Alexander Whyte). (93)
We deprive the people of God of rich storehouses of profitable truth if we fail to preach frequently from OT narrative. 'The whole counsel of God' and 'every word that proceeds from his mouth' out to buttress the plain truth of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - all Scripture is God-breathed, and all parts of Scripture ought to be part of the overall diet of God's people from the pulpit. You will find great help and stimulus here to be faithful to that charge.
December 23, 2008
I am quickly becoming a big fan of Dale Ralph Davis. I like his OT commentaries and share his view that the OT is largely neglected in today's churches.
This book is not really a commentary, but more of a collection of main points to have in your mind as you approach the OT for study & exposition. I especially like that Davis does not include the passages of Scripture in the book, but expects the reader to have their Bible open and reading the text for themselves. This is one of the few books I've seen lately that drives you into the Bible as you are reading instead of becoming a supplement to the reading of the Word.
Davis' perspective on the OT is so theo-centric, so God focused that you will look past the surface & obvious interpretations of OT passages and dig in for the deeper meaning of the text. For example... Genesis 39... when Joseph resists the temptation of Potiphar's wife, that is not just a good example for us to follow, but you need to see that Joseph was able to resist because "The LORD was with Joseph" (used 3x in the passage)... Look for more than just, 'what is this character doing and how can we live like that or follow their example....' but look for 'What is the Creator doing here, and what does that tell us about Him and how He works in our lives?'
Highly recommend this easy read & pray that it drives you into a deeper study of God's Word.
This book is not really a commentary, but more of a collection of main points to have in your mind as you approach the OT for study & exposition. I especially like that Davis does not include the passages of Scripture in the book, but expects the reader to have their Bible open and reading the text for themselves. This is one of the few books I've seen lately that drives you into the Bible as you are reading instead of becoming a supplement to the reading of the Word.
Davis' perspective on the OT is so theo-centric, so God focused that you will look past the surface & obvious interpretations of OT passages and dig in for the deeper meaning of the text. For example... Genesis 39... when Joseph resists the temptation of Potiphar's wife, that is not just a good example for us to follow, but you need to see that Joseph was able to resist because "The LORD was with Joseph" (used 3x in the passage)... Look for more than just, 'what is this character doing and how can we live like that or follow their example....' but look for 'What is the Creator doing here, and what does that tell us about Him and how He works in our lives?'
Highly recommend this easy read & pray that it drives you into a deeper study of God's Word.
October 11, 2021
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Dale Ralph Davis is one of those authors I've meant to read for ages now, I've seen him quoted and referred to for as long as I can remember and I just hadn't gotten around to reading any of his work. This book seemed like a decent place to start.
WHAT'S THE WORD BECAME FRESH ABOUT?
In the preface, Davis sets out the impetus for the book—too many Christians see the Old Testament as unimportant, or too complicated to understand—it's good for a couple of morality lessons or the occasional Psalm, but that's about it.
While yes, the book is intended as a help for preachers*, these tools can and should be used by the laity in their personal reading.
* Maybe I'm just a snob, but if preachers don't have the tools to handle the Old Testament passages at this level already, perhaps they skimped on their training.
Davis describes and then illustrates several principles to be used when approaching (primarily narrative) Old Testament texts to help the reader focus on the main ideas and themes of the passages without getting bogged down in the minutiae. The illustrations are plentiful and insightful—and are probably the best part of the book—taken from all over the Old Testament to help illustrate how useful they are for a variety of texts.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE WORD BECAME FRESH?
The writing is warm, approachable, and engaging—I can see why so many people have quoted Davis in the various things I've read—and I can see myself quoting him in the future (and reading more of him to get those quotations).
While I found the principles and tools he lays out to be helpful, I'm not sure I needed any of them. I've been exposed to—and using—most of them (generally without knowing I was using a hermeneutical tool, which should've been obvious to me).
What I found most helpful is his illustrations, seeing this stuff at work—and the conclusions (both exhortations and assurances) that he draws from his examples. These turn each chapter into a collection of sermonettes for handy use.
I'm not sure I learned a lot from this book, but I really appreciated the time I spent in the book and the gems I was able to collect from Davis. This won't be my last book by him.
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Dale Ralph Davis is one of those authors I've meant to read for ages now, I've seen him quoted and referred to for as long as I can remember and I just hadn't gotten around to reading any of his work. This book seemed like a decent place to start.
WHAT'S THE WORD BECAME FRESH ABOUT?
In the preface, Davis sets out the impetus for the book—too many Christians see the Old Testament as unimportant, or too complicated to understand—it's good for a couple of morality lessons or the occasional Psalm, but that's about it.
I still believe that traditional Old Testament criticism has had the effect of killing the Old Testament for the church. This little tome can hardly reverse that, but it is meant as an exercise in reading the Old Testament for fun and profit. As my mother- in- law used to say, ‘It’s different anyway.’ And maybe it will help.
While yes, the book is intended as a help for preachers*, these tools can and should be used by the laity in their personal reading.
* Maybe I'm just a snob, but if preachers don't have the tools to handle the Old Testament passages at this level already, perhaps they skimped on their training.
Davis describes and then illustrates several principles to be used when approaching (primarily narrative) Old Testament texts to help the reader focus on the main ideas and themes of the passages without getting bogged down in the minutiae. The illustrations are plentiful and insightful—and are probably the best part of the book—taken from all over the Old Testament to help illustrate how useful they are for a variety of texts.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE WORD BECAME FRESH?
The writing is warm, approachable, and engaging—I can see why so many people have quoted Davis in the various things I've read—and I can see myself quoting him in the future (and reading more of him to get those quotations).
While I found the principles and tools he lays out to be helpful, I'm not sure I needed any of them. I've been exposed to—and using—most of them (generally without knowing I was using a hermeneutical tool, which should've been obvious to me).
What I found most helpful is his illustrations, seeing this stuff at work—and the conclusions (both exhortations and assurances) that he draws from his examples. These turn each chapter into a collection of sermonettes for handy use.
I'm not sure I learned a lot from this book, but I really appreciated the time I spent in the book and the gems I was able to collect from Davis. This won't be my last book by him.
April 23, 2024
10/10. I loved this SO MUCH. My only complaint is the unfortunate subtitle! Of the 9 chapters, only 1 really focused on preaching (and to say it "focused" there is an overstatement). I lament that the words "how to preach" will scare people away or cause them to assume it's irrelevant to them. The reality is, this is an amazingly accessible and brilliant primer on how to *read* and *study* Old Testament narrative. Davis skillfully distills chapters or entire books into a clear, memorable structure by using basic tools of observation and asking good questions. He then pulls out clear and simple yet razor-sharp application that I often found personally challenging and moving.
I picked this up as a tool to help me prepare a message on 2 Samuel...it will help with that, but I feel like I got MUCH more than I expected. Instead it led me to make notes all over the margins of my Bible, provoking powerful insights on both familiar and obscure chapters from Genesis to 2 Kings. It made me *hungry* to read and study the Old Testament more and to hear it preached more.
Also Davis's voice/tone were just delightful. Witty, a bit cheeky/sarcastic, pointed, honest, so likable. I will absolutely be reading more of his work on the OT.
I picked this up as a tool to help me prepare a message on 2 Samuel...it will help with that, but I feel like I got MUCH more than I expected. Instead it led me to make notes all over the margins of my Bible, provoking powerful insights on both familiar and obscure chapters from Genesis to 2 Kings. It made me *hungry* to read and study the Old Testament more and to hear it preached more.
Also Davis's voice/tone were just delightful. Witty, a bit cheeky/sarcastic, pointed, honest, so likable. I will absolutely be reading more of his work on the OT.
May 15, 2019
At 154 pages, this little book will successfully take you no time to read and will help you foster a good approach to reading the OT. If you've ever thought, "How in the world does this nasty passage about grotesque acts of sin apply to my life?" Or "Why is this genealogy here?" Or "What is God saying in this long narrative?" This little book has the answer! The author of this book is the most clear and sound read on OT interpretation I've ever read. He emphasizes a God-centered approach to reading narratives, and the OT more generally. Instead of asking "What does this passage teach me about my life?" We should ask, "What does this passage teach me about God?" For what God teaches us about Himself is bound to shape how we live and think. A high school student could pick up this book with relative ease and a seasoned theologian could benefit from the book as well.As I wrote to a friend concern the book, "Dude, Dale Ralph Davis is blowing my mind. So clear. So down to earth. Relatable and readable without an ounce of catering to watered down material." Highly recommended.
June 26, 2023
An engaging and very helpful introduction to help preachers expound the Old Testament. This book doesn't pretend to be an exhaustive guide to interpreting the OT but it does provide a surprisingly large toolkit in only 150 pages. In my view this type of book has the potential to be dry. Fortunately, Dale Ralph-Davis is true to style giving enough examples, illustrations and bursts of humour that kept the pages turning. There is a lot of flicking to different passages but that's what you have to expect if you're going to develop a range of hermeneutical skills. My one criticism is that I think the author doesn't have a high (or maybe wide) enough view of typology which leads to Christ. This leads him to say that "not every Old Testament exposition must end up speaking directly of Christ". As much as I respect DRD I can't agree with this. Granted there are OT texts that don't talk directly of Christ -not every passage is Isaiah 53- BUT the contours of scripture are meant to lead us to one person.
Minus my one criticism, this was an excellent book.
Minus my one criticism, this was an excellent book.
November 26, 2025
An outstanding guide to interpreting and applying the Old Testament, making preaching from it neither difficult nor dull! What makes DRD remarkable is his ability to use unadorned reading techniques and an analytical approach that remains faithful to the text (while hardly engaging with the original languages), yet employs diverse perspectives to draw out profound, even novel, insights that still align with New Testament teachings. He enables readers to see clearly that, whether in times of prosperity or adversity, victory or defeat, order or chaos, straightforward narratives or shocking accounts, the central message of the Old Testament remains unchanged: there are no flawless heroes, only consistently failing human beings. The focus is not on moral education, but on how, after reading, we perceive the compassionate and loving God behind all these events, leading to personal repentance and worship. It seems there's a good reason why DRD's Old Testament exegetical works consistently maintain average ratings above 4.5 on Goodreads.
August 23, 2022
Davis’ commentaries have brought me a lot of joy in Old Testament study as he leads me not just to a better understanding of tricky passages but adoration of the God they reveal. So it was with excitement that I picked up this book with an inside view of how he studies the Bible. It’s no surprise to find these words: “God has given his word as a revelation of himself: if then I use his word rightly, I will long to see him, and he will be the focus of my study” and “if I had one piece of hermeneutical advice to give it is: keep your focus on God if you want your biblical interpretation to be accurate, interesting, nourishing, and relevant.” This book teaches you how to see God: His character, His tendencies, and His marvelous ways toward sinners throughout the OT. I found it encouraging, helpful, fun, and humorous, but also leaving me breathless and in awe of God as he shows the reader how to behold His beauty. So good!! I can’t wait to apply it!
November 22, 2025
This is a great introduction to interpreting and applying Old Testament Narrative texts. The writing is very accessible and Davis illustrates his method very well. He also has humorous tone throughout the text which is enjoyable. There is obviously much more to be said, but this is something one could give to a lay person in the Church struggling to read and relate to OT narratives. I only give 4 stars because I don't think Davis allows for enough typological interpretation and application. He doesn't have a section that deals with this distinctly. The closest he gets is arguing for a "theocentric" rather than a "Christocentric" interpretation of OT narrative. While appreciating that he clarified his position, I end up thinking he is too minimal regarding preaching Christ from the OT. Yet, to be clear, he does advocate that we preach Christ from the OT, it just seems that he is much more reticent to connect passages to Christ than I would be. Still a great resource.
May 21, 2020
Fantastic book on interpreting and teaching Old Testament narrative. It’s brief but full of thoughtful and practical helps to drawing out the theology and application from these texts. Davis’s approach is God-centered and pastoral. He insists that application flows naturally from theocentric interpretation and gives plenty of helpful examples.
One reservation is that the author’s style is colloquial, and I think the publisher could have done more to tighten the writing while retaining the author’s charming and unpretentious voice. But even with that, this is a superb book that I will likely refer to in the future.
One reservation is that the author’s style is colloquial, and I think the publisher could have done more to tighten the writing while retaining the author’s charming and unpretentious voice. But even with that, this is a superb book that I will likely refer to in the future.
June 26, 2019
REALLY enjoyed this book. I think the subtitle is a bit misleading, as this book is helpful for more than just preaching from the OT. I love its accessibility and Davis' personal touch [not to mention his Kansas roots]. A great resource to own, as well as to walk through with a lay-level bible study. One I will be purchasing to read again.
October 26, 2017
I'm a big fan of Dale Ralph Davis. His enthusiasm for the Old Testament is infectious. While not a book on preaching per se, it is a book that helps inform how to preach OT narrative texts in a winsome manner.
January 6, 2019
Very helpful, practical, and theological sound advice on how to read (and understand and apply) Old Testament narrative texts. Seeing as so much of the Old Testament is narrative (and how often such passages are mis-applied), Dale Ralph Davis' book is a wonderful resource and help.
October 22, 2020
A great quick read, hitting the high points on how to study, outline, and present OT narrative texts in an expositional manner. It is not terribly technical but relies on the power of the text itself.
September 5, 2025
One of the best books on the use of illustrations in preaching. Dale Ralph Davis hits home by exposing the lack of tactful and meaningful illustrations in modern pulpits. This is definitely a book I want to read again and again.
July 21, 2017
I love everything this man of God writes!
April 21, 2019
Really good.
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