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Chapter 2 - Yahweh Who Prepares the Way for a King (1 Samuel 1:1–4:1a)
John Goldingay, Fuller Theological Seminary, California
Book:

The Theology of the Book of Samuel

Published online:

08 May 2024

Print publication:

09 May 2024, pp 14-49
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Summary

Chapter 2 considers the story of the prophet Samuel, God’s relationship with his mother Hannah, the way God related to people at the shrine at Shiloh, Samuel’s family relationships and God’s relationship with his family, and the significance of the call of Samuel.

John Goldingay
Published online:

08 May 2024

Print publication:

09 May 2024
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The Old Testament book of Samuel is an intriguing narrative that offers an account of the origin of the monarchy in Israel. It also deals at length with the fascinating stories of Saul and David. In this volume, John Goldingay works through the book, exploring the main theological ideas as they emerge in the narratives about Samuel, Saul, and David, as well as in the stories of characters such as Hannah, Michal, Bathsheba, and Tamar. Goldingay brings out the key ideas about God and God's involvement in the lives of people, and their involvement with him through prayer and worship. He also delves into the mystery and complexity of human persons and their roles in events. Goldingay's study traces how God pursues his purpose for Israel and, ultimately, for the world in these narratives. It shows how this pursuit is interwoven with the realities of family, monarchy, war, love, ambition, loss, failure, and politics.

3 - Commentary Part I: The Rule of the House of Eli – 1 Samuel 1–7
Marvin A. Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology, California
Book:

1 – 2 Samuel

Published online:

14 December 2023

Print publication:

21 December 2023, pp 26-87
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Summary

The commentary on 1 Samuel 1–12 focuses on the rule of the House of Eli, the birth of Samuel and his rule over Israel, and the transition to the rule of King Saul ben Kish.

Marvin A. Sweeney
Published online:

14 December 2023

Print publication:

21 December 2023
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In this commentary to 1–2 Samuel, Marvin Sweeney focuses on the qualities of leadership displayed by the major characters of the book. He reads 1–2 Samuel in relation to Machiavelli's The Prince and Sun Tzu's The Art of War, which provide a comparative evaluation of the qualities of leadership displayed by Eli, Samuel, Saul, David, Ish-Bosheth, Abner, Abshalom, Joab, and others. Additionally, Sweeney provides an analysis of the synchronic, literary structure of Samuel, as well as a new theory regarding its composition. He also re-evaluates the role of 2 Samuel 21–24 within the synchronic literary structure of the book, arguing that the so-called Succession Narrative in 2 Samuel 9–20 is a northern Israelite composition that stands as a component of the Jehu Dynastic History. Highlighting the geography and cities of the land of Israel, Sweeney's commentary enables readers to understand the role that the land of Israel plays in the narrative of the book of Samuel.

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