1 Samuel - Concordia Commentary

The Book of Samuel contains some of the most memorable accounts of the Bible: Hannah’s prayer for a son and trust in the coming Messiah, God's call to Samuel at night in the tabernacle, the capture of Yahweh’s ark, and the death of the high priest Eli. Narratives tell of the anointing of Saul as Israel’s first king and his subsequent apostasy, the battle of David and Goliath, the messianic promise of the Son of David who will build God’s house, and David’s adultery with Bathsheba followed by his confession and absolution by the prophet Nathan. 

The fifty-five chapters of this single Hebrew book (1 and 2 Samuel in English Bibles) trace Israel’s transition from a tribal confederacy designed to live under God’s rule to a monarchy established and supported by God. When Israel felt it could no longer defend itself against the Philistines, the nation asked for a king “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5). Their vulnerability was not a sign of God’s failure but of Israel’s failure. They had abandoned Yahweh for the worship of the gods of the nations who lived in Canaan, and God, in turn, had given them over to the nations. Yet within this book, there is abundant hope.

Throughout the narrative of David's life, the promise of the Son of David is proclaimed again and again. As the lowly shepherd from Bethlehem is anointed to be king of Israel, we are given a Christological type that foreshadows the life, ministry, and eternal reign of the crucified and risen Jesus. Even David's notorious sins serve to demonstrate the forgiveness God freely bestows on us through David's Son and Lord.

• Contains the author’s original translation of 1 Samuel, a verse-by-verse analysis of the Hebrew text, and a theological exposition of its message, both in its original setting in ancient Israel and for the church today
• Provides extensive background information about the history, chronology, geography, archaeology, and culture that is needed to understand this biblical book.
• Features the best textual readings, discerned by comparing the Hebrew Masoretic Text to other ancient versions, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Greek Septuagint, and Josephus

Endorsements
“Interpreters of 1 Samuel will welcome the release of this excellent commentary. It exhibits all of the qualities one has come to expect from Dr. Steinmann and the Concordia Commentary series. The author provides meticulous analysis of the Hebrew text, blended with useful exegetical and theological insights that reflect a deep respect for Holy Scripture as the inspired Word of God.”
—Robert B. Chisholm, Jr., Chair and Senior Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

“The Book of 1 Samuel poses numerous challenges for readers, concerning, e.g., its text, unity, historicity, theology, and relation to the rest of the Bible. Dr. Steinmann’s commentary offers readers facing such challenges a helpful guide and resource. In particular, Steinmann alerts readers to the textual complexities of the book with its often quite distinct ancient versions and enables them to understand how he went about making the textual and translational decisions that he did. Even more significantly, Steinmann lays out for pastors and all who look to the Bible as God’s Word a robustly theological reading of 1 Samuel in
relation to the overall message of both Christian Testaments. Readers of faith will not be left theologically hungry by Steinmann’s work.”
—Prof. Christopher Begg, Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

“Whether he is analyzing Samuel’s rhetoric or uncovering the motives of Saul or David, Dr. Steinmann offers a wealth of information and keen insight that prompts further thought, draws attention to intertextual connections, and highlights implications for today. Readers will find that this commentary refreshes their knowledge of Hebrew while assisting them on every page to understand, preach, and teach from 1 Samuel and to appreciate its portrayal of the Lord, “who deals patiently and mercifully with sinners” (p. 9).”
—Dorian G. Coover-Cox, Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies and Associate Editor for Bibliotheca Sacra, Dallas Theological Seminary

About the Author
Dr. Andrew Steinmann is the Distinguished Professor of Theology and Hebrew at Concordia University Chicago. At Concordia, he teaches a wide variety of classes, including Hebrew I and II, Hebrew Readings, Readings in Hebrew, and Introduction to the Old Testament. His research interests are focused on Hebrew, Aramaic languages, apocalyptic literature, wisdom literature, and biblical chronology. Throughout his career, Dr. Steinmann has written over 50 articles and book reviews that have been published in national and international journals. He serves as a regular guest on numerous radio programs. 


About the Series
The Concordia Commentary series is designed to enable pastors, professors, and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the biblical text. This landmark work will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, interpreting Scripture as a harmonious unity centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Every passage bears witness to the Good News that God has reconciled the world to himself through our Lord’s life, death, and resurrection. This scholarly commentary series fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture as it emphasizes “that which promotes Christ” in each pericope.