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Mark W. Scarlata
Published online:

18 July 2025

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07 August 2025
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Leviticus is often considered to be one of the most challenging books of the Bible because of its focus on blood sacrifice, infectious diseases, and complicated dietary restrictions. Moreover, scholarly approaches have focused primarily on divisions in the text without considering its overarching theological message. In this volume, Mark W. Scarlata analyses Leviticus' theology, establishing the connection between God's divine presence and Israel's life. Exploring the symbols and rituals of ancient Israel, he traces how Leviticus develops a theology of holiness in space and time, one that weaves together the homes of the Israelites with the home of God. Seen through this theological lens, Leviticus' text demonstrates how to live in the fullness of God's holy presence and in harmony with one another and the land. Its theological vision also offers insights into how we might live today in a re-sacralized world that cherishes human dignity and cares for creation.

Chapter 3 - Yahweh Who Designates a King (1 Samuel 4:1b–12:25)
John Goldingay, Fuller Theological Seminary, California
Book:

The Theology of the Book of Samuel

Published online:

08 May 2024

Print publication:

09 May 2024, pp 50-76
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Summary

Chapter 3 covers the crisis that eventually led to the people’s insistence on having a king, the arguments for and against that development, how a king might be appointed, God’s involvement in the process of his appointment, and how Saul might go about being a king.

3 - Commentary Part I: The Rule of the House of Eli – 1 Samuel 1–7
Marvin A. Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology, California
Book:

1 – 2 Samuel

Published online:

14 December 2023

Print publication:

21 December 2023, pp 26-87
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Summary

The commentary on 1 Samuel 1–12 focuses on the rule of the House of Eli, the birth of Samuel and his rule over Israel, and the transition to the rule of King Saul ben Kish.

6 - Commentary Part IV: The Regnal Account of King David ben Jesse over Israel – 2 Samuel 5:1–24:25/1 Kings 2:11
Marvin A. Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology, California
Book:

1 – 2 Samuel

Published online:

14 December 2023

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21 December 2023, pp 208-320
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Summary

The commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4–24:25/1 Kings 2:11 focuses on the reign of King David ben Jesse over Israel, including his choice of Jerusalem as his capital; the eternal Davidic covenant; his affair with Bath Sheba; and the revolt of his son Abshalom.

Marvin A. Sweeney
Published online:

14 December 2023

Print publication:

21 December 2023
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In this commentary to 1–2 Samuel, Marvin Sweeney focuses on the qualities of leadership displayed by the major characters of the book. He reads 1–2 Samuel in relation to Machiavelli's The Prince and Sun Tzu's The Art of War, which provide a comparative evaluation of the qualities of leadership displayed by Eli, Samuel, Saul, David, Ish-Bosheth, Abner, Abshalom, Joab, and others. Additionally, Sweeney provides an analysis of the synchronic, literary structure of Samuel, as well as a new theory regarding its composition. He also re-evaluates the role of 2 Samuel 21–24 within the synchronic literary structure of the book, arguing that the so-called Succession Narrative in 2 Samuel 9–20 is a northern Israelite composition that stands as a component of the Jehu Dynastic History. Highlighting the geography and cities of the land of Israel, Sweeney's commentary enables readers to understand the role that the land of Israel plays in the narrative of the book of Samuel.

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