The First Book of Samuel (New International Commentary On The Old Testament Series)

Among Hebrew scholars, the books of Samuel are notorious for their textual enigmas, and their depiction of apparently non-Mosaic customs. These difficulties are ably untangled by David Tsumura in this comprehensive survey of the date, structure, purpose, and cultural background of 1 Samuel. 697 pages, from Eerdmans.

Stories such as those of David and Goliath, the call of Samuel, the witch of Endor, and David and Bathsheba are among the most famous from the entire ancient world. Though these stories are memorable and easy to follow, however, the books of 1 and 2 Samuel are among the most difficult ones in the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew text is widely considered corrupt and sometimes even unintelligible. The social and religious customs are strange and seemingly divergent from the tradition of Moses.^In this first volume of an ambitious two-volume commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel, David Tsumura sheds light on the background of 1 Samuel with a look at the Philistine and Canaanite cultures and untangles the Hebrew text's infamous cruxes. Tsumura also discusses such fundamental matters as the date, literary structure, and purpose of Samuel -- to show that obedience to the word of God is the necessary condition for a king to be acceptable to the God of Israel.
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David Tsumuru sheds light on the background of Samuel by looking carefully at the Philistine and Canaanite cultures, and he untangles the difficult Hebrew texts.
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David Toshio Tsumura is professor of Old Testament at Japan Bible Seminary, Tokyo, and chairman of the Tokyo Museum of Biblical Archaeology.
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This Item Is In The Following Kit

Nicot New International Commentary on the Old Testament Set (23 Volume Set) (New International Commentary On The Old Testament Series)