From a team of more than 50 international scholars comes the Word Biblical Commentary Series.

Harvesting the important historical, textual, literary and archaeological discoveries from a generation of scholarship.

The narrative of 1 Samuel extends from the birth and ministry of Samuel, Israel's last and greatest judge, through the selection and coronation of Saul, Israel's first and tragic king. The book concludes with the haunting account of Saul's death by suicide. His abject failure as leader of his people is sharply delineated for all to read and reflect upon.

While Samuel was not the author of the book of 1 Samuel, his figure dominates the early part of the narrative. The universal reverence and love the nation of Israel had for Samuel was evidenced by the widespread grief expressed at the time of his death. Samuel stands out as one of the great Old Testament heroes, but the biblical narrative spells out in clearcut detail his failure as a parent. His disobedient sons stand out in stark contrast to Samuel's own exemplary life as God's spokesman to an erring Israel.

Section by section, Dr. Klein progresses through the book of 1 Samuel, offering extensive bibliography, original translation and exhaustive notes before discussing Form/Structure/Setting, Comment, and Explanation. Interesting and informative word studies and background information, up-to-date archaeological findings, and other pertinent data are all combined to give a well-rounded commentary on this often neglected book of the Old Testament.