1 & 2 Samuel (Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary)
Tony W Cartledge
Returning to the ground of the highly successful first volume in the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Series, Walter Brueggemann’s 1&2 Kings, scholar, writer, and preacher Tony Cartledge explores the beginnings of kingship in Israel. From the counsel of Samuel through the determination of Saul to the towering figure of David, this commentary thoughtfully considers the debt that our religious and literary heritage owes to the books of 1&2 Samuel. Cartledge describes and analyzes the events in these books as central to the preservation of the traditions that influence the remainder of the Hebrew and Christian bibles. Written in commentary form with the addition of numerous insights and visuals drawn from the worlds of art, archaeology, literature, history, and geography, 1&2 Samuel opens up the biblical text in significant and faithful ways.

Tony W. Cartledge served for 26 years as a pastor in Georgia and North Carolina before becoming editor of the North Carolina Biblical Recorder in 1999. As avid about teaching as preaching, Cartledge specialized in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Duke University. He has taught as an adjunct professor, and has written for a variety of homiletical and scholarly publications. His goal in writing is to confront the academic issues involved in serious Bible study in a readable and practical format.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 SAMUEL

1. Hannah's Vow and Samuel's Birth 1 Sam 1:1-20

2. Samuel's Dedication and Hannah's Song 1 Sam 1:21-2:11

3. Eli's Failure and Samuel's Favor 1 Sam 2:12-26

4. Eli's Fall and Samuel's Call 1 Sam 2:27–4:1a

5. Philistine Victories and the Loss of the Ark 1 Sam 4:1b-22

6. The Hand of God and the Hands of Dagon 1 Sam 5:1-12

7. The Return of the Ark and a Mixed Reception 1 Sam 6:1–7:1

8. Israel Repents and the Philistines Fall 1 Sam 7:2-17

9. The People's Request and Samuel's Warning 1 Sam 8:1-22

10. Saul's Search and a Secret Anointing 1 Sam 9:1–10:16

11. A Public Proclamation and Immediate Danger 1 Sam 10:17-27a

12. Saul's First Victory and the Kingship Confirmed 1 Sam 10:27b–11:15

13. Samuel's Soliloquy 1 Sam 12:1-25

14. Crossed Boundaries and a Cross Priest 1 Sam 13:1-22

15. A Courageous Son and His Rash Father 1 Sam 13:23–14:52

16. Saul's Rebellion and Samuel's Regret 1 Sam 15:1-35

17. Young David, the Anointed 1 Sam 16:1-13

18. Sweet David, the Musician 1 Sam 16:14-23

19. Shepherd Boy David, the Giant's Killer 1 Sam 17:1-58

20. David in Danger--In Saul's Court 1 Sam 18:1-20:42

21. David and the Priests of Nob 1 Sam 21:1-9

22. David Travels, and the Priests of Nob Pay for It 1 Sam 21:10–22:23

23. Saul Hunts David, and the Tables Are Turned 1 Sam 23:1–24:22

24. Nabal's Folly and David's Prize 1 Sam 25:1-44

25. Saul Keeps Hunting, and David Keeps Winning 1 Sam 26:1-25

26. Achish's Protection and David's Deception 1 Sam 27:1–28:2

27. Saul's Distress and Samuel's Ghost 1 Sam 28:3-25

28. Philistine Aid and Amalekite Trouble 1 Sam 29:1–30:31

29. Saul's Last Battle and an Honorable Death 1 Sam 31:1-13

2 SAMUEL
1. David Mourns for Saul and Jonathan 2 Sam 1:1-27

2. A New King Who Respects the Old 2 Sam 2:1-7

3. A Rival King and His Fierce General 2 Sam 2:8-32

4. Life and Death 2 Sam 3:1-39

5. Ishbaal Dies, but David Is Innocent 2 Sam 4:1-12

6. David: King of All Israel 2 Sam 5:1-16

7. David Defeats the Philistines 2 Sam 5:17-25

8. The City of David and the City of God 2 Sam 6:1-23

9. A House for God and a House for David 2 Sam 7:1-29

10 The Establishment of the Empire 2 Sam 8:1-18

11. David Shows Loyalty to Saul's House 2 Sam 9:1-13

12. David Shows Loyalty--and a Sword--to Ammon 2 Sam 10:1-19

13. David Commits Adultery 2 Sam 11:1-27

14. Nathan Confronts the King 2 Sam 12:1-15a

15. A Death, a Birth, and a Victory 2 Sam 12:15b-31

16. Rape, Revenge, and Exile 2 Sam 13:1-39

17. Joab's Love for Father and Son 2 Sam 14:1-33

18. A False Vow and a Threatening Conspiracy 2 Sam 15:1-12

19. David's Retreat from Jerusalem 2 Sam 15:13-16:14

20. Absalom's Triumph 2 Sam 16:15-17:23

21. David's Victory and Grief 2 Sam 17:24-19:8a

22. David Returns to Jerusalem, but Not in Triumph 2 Sam 19:8b-43

23. David Deals with Internal Dissent 2 Sam 20:1-26

24. David Deals with a Famine and the Philistines 2 Sam 21:1-22

25. David's Psalm of Praise 2 Sam 22:1-51

26. David's Last Words 2 Sam 23:1-7

27. David's Mighty Men 2 Sam 23:8-39

28. David's Mistake and God's Judgment 2 Sam 24:1-25

Bibliography

Index of Modern Authors

1 Samuel Index of Sidebars

2 Samuel Index of Sidebars

Index of Scriptures

Index of Topics

Reviews

Cartledge is a new and important voice in biblical interpretation. The books of 1-2 Samuel contain marvelous stories of Israel's beginnings as a nation, and each of them here receives many-sided, rich, and readable interpretation. Combining the resources of historical and literary analysis with theological penetration, the author also brings the world of today into conversation with the text. This is a worthy companion to Brueggemann's commentary on the books of Kings in the same series.
--Walter Harrelson

Tony Cartledge has produced a commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel that is readable by any interested and educated person, with or without theological training. The commentary is informed by, but not bound to the results of critical scholarship. It does not hide from problematic texts, but judges them by the later revelation in Jesus. It is a worthy addition to the series.
--Paul L. Redditt, Ph. D.
Chair, Department of Religion
Georgetown College

ISBN: 9781573120647
Catalogue code: N/A
Publisher: SMYTH & HELWYS PUBLISHING - published 15/01/2001
Format: Hardback  

£38.99
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