1 Samuel

Reformed Expository Commentary

by Richard D. Phillips

When people think of 1 Samuel, they think of David, the man after God's own heart. Yet 1 Samuel introduces us to two great alter egos Samuel and Saul. And let's not forget Eli, Hannah, and Jonathan!

Genres: Christian

576 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 2012

About the author

Richard D. Phillips (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. He is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, chairman of the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, and coeditor of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.

Reviews

[Nathan Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good, non-technical commentary. I've listened to some of Phillip's preaching from 1 Samuel and this is more commentary than collection of sermons, it is very easy to see the shape of his sermons in the book. Upon reflection, I noticed that this is my first time reading a pastoral commentary cover to cover, as opposed to relevant selections only. I usually only use technical and semi-technical commentaries, but 1 Samuel poses unique challenges for the preacher. This reading was a beneficial to me in many ways. I don't think I've read 500+ pages of anyone else's sermons. As I reflect on this past year, I can see how reading this work had the unexpected benefit of turning into a study of homiletics for me. I think I'm better for it and I think I still managed to preach my own sermons.

Though on rare occasion, a few applications left me scratching my head, Phillips is a model expositor and certain to get to Christ from every text (its the Christ connections that occasionally left me disagreeing). I'd suppose I agreed with his interpretation about 85-90% of the time, which is the highest of the 8 commentaries I read while preaching 1 Samuel.

All in all, a this is a good pastoral commentary that can benefit dedicated laymen and clergy a like.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one in my morning devotions, a chapter per day and found it to be a rich, warm and Christ-centred companion to 1 Samuel.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a technical commentary this series is not for you, but let’s be honest many the technical commentaries are over the average Joe’s head anyways. This commentary reads like a beautifully written narrative and was written for your average pastor or well read lay person.

Dr. Phillips skillfully works his way through 1 Samuel highlighting important themes and addressing important textual issues in the book without getting bogged down. Most of the pipe work for the technical issues is never seen. The issues are mentioned, explained, and the ants go marching on.

For instance, he address concisely and plainly the textual issue found in 1 Samuel 13 (the length of Saul’s reign). He lays out the three major views and then briefly examines each and offers his own position (pp. 194-95). Short, sweet, and to the point.

There is also a balance of scholarly work and ease of reading that will serve many well including the lay person who wants to understand the Old Testament better. I frequently found myself reading through the passage at the start of each chapter, meditating on it, and then using the chapter as a more in-depth devotional.

Another feature which allows this commentary to be used in this regard is that there is robust application throughout I Samuel. Dr. Phillips makes application for our daily living. This is difficult. I have heard some of best preachers falter when applying the Old Testament for today. It’s hard work but Dr. Phillips’ application is rocket-fuel.

Finally, Dr. Phillips weaves the story of Israel in 1 Samuel with the larger story of Christ. Christ alone is the hero and Dr. Phillips demonstrates this. For instances,

We might honor Samuel’s legacy by recounting all the things that made him great. But a better way to honor him would be to look through him to see reasons why Jesus Christ is a better Savior, King, and Mediator, in whom we may find all that we need for the eternal salvation of our soul. (p. 192)

and then later

The New Testament reveals this promised Son, the man truly and fully after God’s own heart, as Jesus our Savior. Like King Saul, Jesus began his ministry with a sore trial: his temptation in the wilderness. How greatly it must have rejoiced the Father’s heart when his Son honored him under the trials of Satan, passing every test through obedience to the Word of God: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’ ” (Luke 4:4, quoting Deut. 8:3); “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve’ ” (Luke 4:8, quoting Deut. 6:13); “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’ ” (Luke 4:12, quoting Deut. 6:16). (p. 205)

I would highly recommend 1 Samuel if you’re looking for a Christ-centered approach to the Old Testament. And if you’re not a pastor and the OT intimidates you this book would be a great primer in engaging the OT story and finding Christ. Here’s possibly my favorite quotation, “The cross where Jesus died for our sins is the throne from which he reigns with peace for mankind” (p. 167).

[Bess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally, I use commentaries to refer to specific sections of Scripture. However, this one l found hard not to read cover to cover. It greatly picquet my interest of the events surrounding key features during this era.

I find the expository series to be more readable and less technical than some other commentaries I have accessed in the past. I remember what I read and comprehend well when using l a using ab Expositors commentary.

In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the life of David, Saul, Jonathan, other biblical characters were introduced at a deeper level. These include Hannah, Samuel and others. Saul and Jonathan were major players. The Expositors Bible Commentary series explain and are a helpful interpretative aid.

I look forward to moving onto the next one. 2 Samuel is high on my list to be read following one I’m working on currently. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking to grow in their understanding of scripture in a way that is easy to understand. Being a workable interpretive aid in helping anyone put the whole Bible together.

I recommend these commentaries to anyone. Whether you are new to using commentaries or are well acquainted with them Bible commentary increases my hunger to learn more and go deader in The Scriptures.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this commentary helpful. It often guided my thinking about certain aspects of the text. However, I'm not always crazy about commentaries that originated as sermons.

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a commentary junkie. I love commentaries!

1 Samuel is my first venture into the Reformed Expository Commentary series. I picked up this book as an aid to a bible study I was leading through 1 Samuel with a fantastic group of senior adults. I had some other commentaries that were authored by Richard Phillips, so I knew him to be a sound theologian who handled the text well. His name actually drew me to try out this new series. And boy am I glad I did!

1 Samuel is not a technical commentary, though it does not ignore technical issues or syntactical difficulties. Phillips just deals with them in succinct ways and refers readers to more technical offerings if they still have questions. This commentary should be classified as pastoral. It would be an amazing tool for any pastor, bible study leader, or layman who yearns to read deeper. Phillips does a great job of viewing the narrative passages of 1 Samuel through a Christological lens. Without forced allegorization, he sees Christ and the covenantal nature of God in the text. He helps the reader to understand how the drama surrounding David, Samuel, and Saul point to spiritual truths that are more than moral tails.

I strongly recommend this work!

[Karoline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book originated as a series of sermons, and although there are scholarly quotes and perspectives throughout, the focus is always on the text - and above all on Christ as the always-present Hero: great David's greater Son. I learned so much about reading the Old Testament as a Christian from this commentary. Readable, perceptive, pastoral, and full of love for Jesus and his people. Highly recommended.

[Bendick Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy this book very much. Insightful and organised. Think most of them are revision from his sermon – cos listened to some on sermonaudio website. My chief reference book when I am preaching on 1 Samuel.