Sheffield Old Testament Guides: 1 & 2 Samuel
Overview
Gordon clearly and engagingly unpacks the complex issues in 1 & 2 Samuel, such as the deuteronomistic history, the Shiloh tradition, the Ark narrative, the rise of the monarchy, the reign of Saul, the story of David, the Davidic covenant, the Succession narrative and the Samuel appendix. A first-rate guide for students, with annotated bibliographies and indexes.
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Top Highlights
“Upon Israel’s response to the message of authentic prophecy depends her right to exist before God; the consistent teaching of these books is that when the prophetic word is not heard and obeyed Israel will come under the disciplinary hand of God.” (Page 14)
“the ‘Former Prophets’ is that of the ‘Deuteronomistic History’” (Page 14)
“Seen from an Old Testament perspective, the struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines revolved around two basic issues. In the first place, the Philistines’ presence in Canaan seemed to challenge Israel’s right to occupy land that was the subject of ancient promises to the fathers. Secondly, the two contestants represented two competing, and incompatible, religious ideologies. In the socio-religious sphere the Philistines of the Old Testament could be said to stand for acculturation and assimilation.” (Pages 34–35)
“The Nathan oracle represents a peak in the books of Samuel and in the Old Testament as a whole. The earlier chapters of 1 and 2 Samuel are punctuated with anticipatory references to it (e.g. 1 Sam. 13:13f; 20:15; 24:20; 25:28; 2 Sam. 3:9f; 5:12; 6:21), and thereafter it reaches on into the psalms and prophecies in the remainder of the Hebrew canon, ‘the climax of the narrative which precedes it and the program for what follows’ (McCarthy, adapted).” (Page 77)
“First we must note that ch. 14 already presents what might be called a ‘concluding summary’ of Saul’s reign (vv. 47–52).” (Page 53)
- Title: Sheffield Old Testament Guides: 1 & 2 Samuel
- Author: R.P. Gordon
- Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
- Publication Date: 1998
- Pages: 100