1 - 2 Samuel

In this commentary to 12 Samuel Marvin Sweeney focuses on the qualities of leadership displayed by the major characters of the book. He reads 12 Samuel in relation to Machiavelli''sThe Princeand Sun Tzu''sTheArt of Warwhich 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 2124 within the synchronic literary structure of the book arguing that the so-called Succession Narrative in 2 Samuel 920 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.