The Old Testament book of Samuel is an intriguing narrative that offers an account of the origin of the monarchy in Israel. It also deals at length with the fascinating stories of Saul and David. In this volume, John Goldingay works through the book, exploring the main theological ideas as they emerge in the narratives about Samuel, Saul, and David, as well as in the stories of characters such as Hannah, Michal, Bathsheba, and Tamar. Goldingay brings out the key ideas about God and God's involvement in the lives of people, and their involvement with him through prayer and worship. He also delves into the mystery and complexity of human persons and their roles in events. Goldingay's study traces how God pursues his purpose for Israel and, ultimately, for the world in these narratives. It shows how this pursuit is interwoven with the realities of family, monarchy, war, love, ambition, loss, failure, and politics.

‘Some books can only be written out of long familiarity both with the biblical text and with its literature of commentary. This is one of them. John Goldingay works through Samuel in predominantly literary and theological mode, alert to the breadth of interpretive options, offering many a fresh insight. He resists suggestions that the moral and theological vision of the Old Testament book should be contrasted unfavourably with that of the New Testament.’

Walter Moberly Source: Journal for the Study of the Old Testament