1 and 2 Samuel: A Theological Commentary on the Bible (Belief: a Theological Commentary on the Bible)

The episodes in 1 and 2 Samuel are striking in their depiction of human characterspriests soldiers kings prophets and royal advisersbut also significant in how they narrate the central character of this history the God of Israel. History in these books is not simply an accounting of royal intrigue military battles and socio-economic struggle but the stage upon which God reveals Gods very self. First and Second Samuel relay some of the most memorable vignettes in all Scripturethe call of Samuel Davids battle with Goliath and Davids seizure of Bathsheeba as his wifeand discover in them the hand of God. from the introduction First and Second Samuel describe the beginnings of monarchy in ancient Israel and introduce us to intriguing characters: Samuelprophet priest and judge; Saulthe tragic figure who becomes Israels first king; and DavidSauls celebrated successor and Israels key leader whose influence endured for generations. But as Jensen makes clear in his splendid commentary there is another figure who is a central character: God. Throughout his theologically rich treatment of these biblical books Jensen explores what makes these texts important for us. He suggests that we read 1 and 2 Samuel because they reveal the complexities of the human person; the ambiguities of our social arrangements as nations; and Gods agency in a conflicted world. Jensen notes that as we are shaped by and grapple with the biblical stories we are invited to find our own stories within them. What keeps us coming back to faith he says is its stories: stories that tell the truth about the human condition our shared corporate life and the life God gives to the world.