College Press NIV Commentary Series is formatted with a verse-by-verse explanation of the text. It was developed for both the scholar and the average Bible student. The College Press NIV Commentary Series is the only full commentary set in print from the Restoration Movement. Each volume (41 volumes for the Old & New Testament) contains the following helpful features:

• Biblically sound exegesis
• Clear exposition
• Objective approach
• Concise introduction
• New International Version of the Bible
• Key word translation
• Easy to use design format
• Practical footnotes
• And more!

 

Overview

The Book of Judges sets the stage for Samuel thematically as well as chronologically. The author of Judges (perhaps Samuel himself) stressed the deplorable conditions which existed in Israel before the nation had a King (Judges 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).

The immediate purpose of the Book of Samuel was to narrate the circumstances surrounding the founding of the monarchy in Israel with Saul, the fascinating relationships between Saul and David, and David's rise to the throne. First Samuel narrates the expansion of the kingdom of Israel into an important power. Second Samuel deals with the covenant with David, his sin and the fall from favor, and the disciplines he received for those sins. An appropriate caption for the two books of Samuel would be The Birth and Expansion of the Kingdom. The ultimate purpose of the books was to reveal the divine origin of the messianic house of David, i.e., the family through whom the Messiah would one day come (2 Sam 7:12).

This commentary is written for all reader, not just for the scholarly. Easy to read and understand, the writer has truly made this an enjoyable read.

1 & 2 Samuel has 541 pages.

ISBN 978-0-89900-881-X

WEB-881

About the Author

James E. Smith received his undergraduate and seminary training at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. He was awarded the PhD degree by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Dr. Smith has served congregations in Ohio and Kentucky. For thirteen years he was professor of Old Testament at Cincinnati  Bible Seminary. He currently serves Florida Christian College as Chairman of the Division of Biblical Studies.

He has authored several commentaries in the Bible Study Textbook series and is the author of The Old Testament Survey Series which includes: The Pentateuch, The Books of History, The Wisdom Literature and Psalms, The Major Prophets, and The Minor Prophets.

 

About the Editors

Terry Briley, PhD, is an associate professor of Bible at Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, since 1986. Dr. Briley received the BA from David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University), then a MPhil and PhD from Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to teaching at Lipscomb University, he is the Senior Minister at Natchez Trace Church of Christ and leads an annual summer mission trip to Brazil.

Paul J. Kissling, PhD, is professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages and Area Chair in Bible/Theology at Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, Michigan. He is an elder at Meridian Christian Church in Okemos. Dr. Kissling received the Bachelor's degree from Great Lakes Christian College, the MDiv from Lincoln Christian Seminary, the Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the PhD from the University of Sheffield (England). Paul has taught and preached in over 15 countries and serves as Old Testament specialist on the Board of the Stone-Campbell Journal.