I Samuel: A King in Israel (Maggid Studies in Tanakh)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
“In those days, there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Thus ends the book of Judges, as it anticipates a future monarchy. The book of Samuel traces the gradual development of that monarchy, with all of its benefits and challenges, and it offers models of leadership that are more centralized than those in Judges but less consolidated than the future Davidic dynasty. The narrative raises questions about the proper form of government, the relationshipbetween Israel and the nations of the world, military ethics, the character of prophecy, and more.The book of Samuel also introduces us to enthralling figures, described in great depth, such as Kings Saul and David, Eli the Priest, the prophet Samuel, Hannah, Michal, Abigail, Jonathan, and Joab. The book grants us insight into their internal and external struggles as well as their roles in the leadership of Israel. Offering systematic and sensitive readings in clear prose, Rabbi Amnon Bazak reveals the depths of the plain sense of I Samuel. He identifies the messages of each of the biblical stories, with all of their complexities and rich characters. Moreover, he offers a model for a deep reading of biblical prose that combines traditional and contemporary interpretations into a full literary elucidation.
- Focuses on the rise of Saul and David and the tensions between divine will and human ambition.
- Provides nuanced insights into Samuel, Saul, and David — their virtues, flaws, and pivotal choices that shaped Israel’s spiritual and political identity.
- Combines close textual analysis with historical context to reveal the book’s profound reflections on authority, prophecy, covenant, and the search for faithful leadership.
- Introduction to the Book of Samuel
- The Birth of Samuel
- Hannah’s Prayer of Thanks; the Sins of the Sons of Eli and Their Punishment
- Samuel’s Consecration
- The Defeat at the Hands of the Philistines
- The Ark of God in Peleshet
- The Ark’s Return to Israel
- The Victory over the Philistines in Even HaEzer
- “Give Us a King”
- Saul in Search of His Donkeys
- Saul’s Coronation
- The War Against Nahash the Ammonite
- Samuel’s Leave-Taking
- Saul’s First War Against the Philistines
- Jonathan’s Victory and the Episode of the Honeycomb
- Saul’s War Against Amalek
- The Anointing of David as King and His Arrival at King Saul’s Palace
- David and Goliath
- David’s Marriage to Michal
- David’s Flight
- Jonathan and the Arrows
- David’s Journeys – From Nov to Gat
- Saul and Nov the City of the Priests
- Saul’s Pursuit of David
- Saul in the Cave
- Nabal the Carmelite
- Saul in David’s Hands: A Second Time
- The Tziklag Period
- Saul in Ein-Dor
- David in the Philistine Camp
- David and the Amalekite Troop
- The Death of Saul and His Sons
- Title: I Samuel: A King in Israel (Maggid Studies in Tanakh)
- Author: Amnon Bazak
- Series: Maggid Studies in Tanakh
- Publisher: The Toby Press
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Pages: 520
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- ISBNs: 9781592646524, 1592646522
- Resource ID: LLS:MST09SA1
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-07-18T03:07:00Z
Rav Amnon Bazak studied at the Netiv Meir Yeshiva High School in Jerusalem and then came to study at Yeshivat Har Etzion. In the context of the Hesder Program, he served in the military rabbinate, and has received Semicha and earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the Herzog College. Rav Bazak served as a Ram at Netiv Meir Yeshiva High School and since 1999, as a Ram in Yeshivat Har Etzion. Likewise, he teaches Tanakh at the Herzog College and at the SKA Beit Midrash for Women in Migdal Oz, and edits the weekly journal Shabbat BeShabbato, as well as other books. He authored the 2 volume book, Nekudat Peticha as well as Makbilot Nifgashot.