This newest volume in the FOTL series presents a valuable form-critical analysis of 1 Samuel, highlighting both the literary development of the text itself and its meanings for its audience. A skilled student of the Hebrew scriptures and their ancient context, Antony Campbell shows modern readers the process of editing and reworking that shaped 1 Samuel's final form. His revealing study sheds light on tensions and contradictions that exist in the present text, and it also allows for a more satisfying discussion of the text's literary structure and the particular purpose and message of each distinct unit. As Campbell shows, 1 Samuel deals with a massive change in the way of life of ancient Israel. Samuel, the first prophet, here emerges to preside, and to anoint David as Israel's next king and the first established head of a royal dynasty. The book of 1 Samuel captures the work of God within this interplay of sociopolitical forces, and Campbell fruitfully explores the text as a repository of traditions of great significance for Israel and a paradigm of Israel's use of narrative for theological expression.

Recent books examining the events recounted in 2 Samuel, particularly the life of King David, have tended toward the sensational. This new study of 2 Samuel finds the text lurid enough without overindulging readers' imaginations. Using new advances in form criticism, Antony Campbell shows what can and cannot be learned from this important Old Testament document. This commentary explores the wealth of insight found in 2 Samuel by paying close attention to the literary structure of the book. A comprehensive introduction answers questions concerning 2 Samuel's setting, genre, audience, and development. The commentary proper carefully analyzes 2 Samuel's major sections and each passage within them. In the process, Campbell reveals the diversity of views that existed in Israel's traditions, and he highlights the prominence of theology over history in Israel's thinking.

A comprehensive introduction to the critical issues raised by scholarship on both books of Samuel. The often intricate problems are dealt with clearly and engagingly; the chapters deal with the Deuteronomistic History, the Shiloh tradition, the Ark narrative, the rise of the monarchy, the reign of Saul, the story of David, the Davidic covenant, the Succession Narrative and the Samuel appendix. A first-rate guide for students, with annotated bibliographies and indexes.

I Samuel is Volume 8 in the Anchor Bible series of new, book-by book translations of the Old and New Testaments and Apocrypha. In his series debut, P. Kyle McCarter, Jr., has written a volume of interest and value to both the scholar and the general reader. McCarter's treatment of I Samuel consists of: Introduction: review of the literary problems and historical circumstances surrounding the writing of the book. Translation: fresh and authoritative, this new translation of I Samuel fully utilizes for the first time ancient manuscript fragments found at Qumran. Textual Notes: for the scholar, technical information on the texts used in the translation. Notes: for the untrained reader, descriptions of people, places, customs, and unusual features of the language. Commentary: an explanatory summary of each passage of translation.

II Samuel completes P. Kyle McCarter, Jr.'s study of the book of Samuel. Based upon the introduction and commentary of his first volume, McCarter continues the discussion of textual and literary sources as they relate to a reconstruction of historical events.

A key issue for McCarter is accounting for the historical circumstances that led to the composition of the book of Samuel. In dialogue with major schools of thought pertaining to the origin and transmission of the book, the author offers his scholarly opinions on its composition. McCarter presents a unique new translation based upon the latest and most extensive textual sources available, including scrolls and fragments from Qumran. Furthermore, he resolves the complicated textual history of Samuel.

P. Kyle McCarter, Jr., is William F. Albright Professor in Biblical and Near Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He holds degrees from Harvard University, McCormick Theological Seminary, and the University of Oklahoma.

Why do the books of Samuel pack such a broad appeal? Taken together as a single narrative, they certainly offer something for everyone: kings and prophets, great battles and greater heroes, action and romance, loyalty and betrayal, the mundane and the miraculous. In Samuel, we meet Saul, David, Goliath, Jonathan, Bathsheba, the witch of Endor, and other unforgettable characters. And we encounter ourselves. For while the culture and conditions of Israel under its first kings is vastly different from our own, the basic issues of humans in relation to God, the Great King, have not changed. Sin, repentance, forgiveness, adversity, prayer, faith, and the promises of God-these continue to play out in our lives today.