1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart

Focus on the Bible Commentaries

by Dale Ralph Davis

Davis brings cultural and historical colour to the task of interpretation and adds a pastor’s heart for personal application. You will find a point of contact with the lives of Samuel, Saul, Jonathan and David as Davis answers the question ‘What does God seek when he looks on the heart?’ Davis presents simple exposition of the literary and theological character of the text in a bright and fascinating way.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Old Testament, Christianity, Biblical Studies, Reference

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Dale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

[Kevin Halloran]

DRD is one of my favorite commentators. He’s a master at interpreting the OT historical books and teaching through them in a compelling way. I hope to read all of his commentaries. Rarely do you ever call a commentator a delightful writer; but here it applies.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible commentary. Dale Ralph Davis may be my favorite commentator out there! He is adept at getting to the heart of the text and applying it in a pastoral way. And he's fun to read!

[David Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ralph Davis has become my favorite author of Old Testament commentaries. His writing reflects his high regard for the authority and accuracy of the biblical text. His exposition is thorough, without being cumbersome. He adequately examines and explains the details of the Old Testament narrative, then zeroes in the timeless truths, doctrinal distinctives, and relevant applications of the text. Davis does so in a way that is readable. I read every word of every chapter of these commentaries.

This work on 1 Samuel is a masterpiece of contemporary exposition, for all the reasons noted above. It will satisfy those who look for the “Big Idea” of every text, as well as those who work to extract the Fallen Condition Focus. It is a preacher’s goldmine, although it won’t write your sermons for you.

I highly recommend this volume on 1 Samuel. Like Saul, this volume stands head and shoulders above its peers. If you could purchase only one commentary on 1 Samuel, this would be the one to get.

[Rita L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this for our current ladies study and it’s even better the second time around. If you’ve never read anything by DRD, set a goal to read at least one of his commentaries in 2026 (with your Bible open and pencil in-hand to make notes). Pastorally conversant and illuminating, his style both informs and inspires, without minimizing scholarship, but without getting bogged down in debate. His commentaries are accessible to all of us and well worth prioritizing on your TBR list.

[Joshua Chipchase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best commentary I have ever read. Davis has a unique ability to explain a text in an exciting, conversational, and yet truly expositional way. He does not shy away from dealing with difficult issues, and he is thoroughly exegetical, but he also is brilliant in applying the scripture to everyday life. Often Old Testament commentaries can either be dry, awkwardly moralistic, or overly allegorical. But Davis is able to avoid those pitfalls and create an excellent exposition of 1 Samuel. I used it in my devotions, but it could easily be used in sermon/lesson prep, and I would be comfortable recommending it to lay people and pastors alike.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saul has not been given a fair shake by many modern commentators. His end has been read into his beginning. The problem with doing so is that it leads one to miss the force of the turning points in his life. Davis stays true. If you are looking for a reliable interpretation of the ambiguous and seemingly inexplicable events recorded in 1 Samuel, this is your book.

[Mark Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent expository commentary. A delight to read. Thoroughly God-centered. Helpfully nuanced.

While I wish DRD was Christo-centric in his hermeneutic this is a fantastic resource for preaching through 1 Samuel. Used as a I preached through 1 Samuel with Brian in Spring-Summer 2024.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical and helpful commentary.

[Keziah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant commentary, and very readable for use in daily devotions. I only wished he showed more of where we see Christ in 1 Samuel - sometimes he did, but I wish he did so more.

[Becca Lemmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davis makes a point that we need to turn to our Bibles first. It was more of a devotion in ways. Davis made this commentary fun, I audibly laughed and chuckled 🤭 , then the next paragraph I would gasp or furrow my brow or be sobered by the holiness of God, His greatness and was humbled by my smallness! Lots of dog-eared pages and underlines and stars sketched into the pages of my copy.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Dale Davis has written a commentary on a book of the Bible, it's the best commentary available for that book every time. I'm not just saying that either, look up the best commentaries for each book of the Bible and his commentary is always at or near the top. Combine that with the fact that, unlike many/most Bible commentators, he is blessedly spare in his commentary, and you have a winning combination in my opinion.

This commentary reads like a book and can be read through as if it were a book, which you cannot say about most commentaries. If you're studying 1 Samuel, this is the book you want.

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read a biblical commentary from cover to cover, but Dale Ralph Davis's work is just too readable AND his scholarship is both stellar and (refreshingly) not paraded out to impress his readers. While I only have a few super-minor interpretive quibbles with him, I could almost recommend his work as a devotional supplement to personal Bible study. He's that good, that accessible, and that helpful.

[Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read many commentaries, but this by far the best one I’ve read. It was actually fun to read! Which is not something I ever thought I’d say about a commentary. Davis is a super engaging writer, and he doesn’t waste time, he just gets right to the point of the passage. He does so without sacrificing any of the scholarship, either. It was very helpful for me in my personal study of 1 Samuel, and I’m going to go to him for all of my OT studies, when I can.

[Will Dole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best commentary I read in 1 Samuel. There were others that were good, some that gave me a little more help on background/language (this is, after all, homiletical), but Davis was my must-read commentary every week. My soul was ministered to and challenged as Davis guided me through the narrative of this OT book. I can guarantee you this, anytime from here on out that I preach a book on which Davis has written a commentary, I’ll be picking it up.

[Marcie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on the story of Samuel, Saul and David. Davis brings in very interesting stories that make the storylines make more sense and he has a witty way about exegesis that many commentators don’t have. He is definitely one of my favorites. Can’t wait to get his 2 Samuel commentary to finish out the whole book.

[Stacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary was amazing in its insights, wisdom and application. However, there were several questions I had about the text that were not mentioned. I know that it is written more for the lay person, and so cannot cover everything, but it does seem like some major questions that I had (and other women I was studying 1 Samuel with had) were either glossed over or not addressed at all.

[Anton Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not the longest or most thorough commentary on 1 Samuel, so don't expect in depth commentary on every detail. But it is an excellent short commentary, giving good insight into the text, finding the connection to Jesus and providing valuable application of the text. Overall, highly recommended commentary.

[Michael Locklear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy the commentary writings of Dale Ralph Davis (and he is just as thrilling to hear him preach in person!). He could make a common grocery list come to life! You can sense his deep love for God's Word as he walks his reader through the pages of Scripture. I would encourage any one to read any and all of Davis' commentaries.

[Zach Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for a Men’s Bible study comprised of men at different levels of spiritual maturity. Dale Ralph Davis has a casual style, deep exegetical insights, wonderful turns of phrase, and engaging questions. Each week, we were driven to clear, practical application. However, there is one major shortcoming. Clear connections to the person and work of Jesus Christ were often missed.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davis includes stories and structure to help the reader understand the major messages of the text. This book reminds me a little of N. T. Wright's "Bible for Everyone" series. I enjoyed it, but didn't find it as thorough in addressing questions or controversies as John Woodhouse.

[Christian Hamaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. It's been a long time since I've read through a commentary, but Davis makes it a delight. Insightful and winsome, even when I'm not sure I agree with him, the author has reignited my interest in the form. On to his 2 Samuel commentary!

[Hudson Christmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent commentary. The author examines the narrative of this wonderful book and explores the themes and ideas within it. Easy to read and very well written, a worth while commentary for anyone’s study of this book.

[Bryan Edenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the size of this commentary fool you. Succinct, yet packed with biblical truth. Davis has a way of presenting theological material in a delightfully digestible manner. Some of the smallest morsels of insight lend itself to contemplative feasting for the soul. Filled with helpful and sometimes humorous illustrations and perspectives, the pastoral benefits are limitless.

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davis is always helpful (and funny!) when consulted. I especially appreciate how faithfully he preaches the text as is, instead of twisting it out of context or inserting themes when they are not present. Davis' footnotes are also helpful to the reader that can make use of Hebrew.

[Robbie Laidlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant commentary on Samuel, takes you right to God in every chapter, helping make sense of lord of unusual stories.
Could have focused more on how the whole thing sits together structurally maybe but a good practical book with plenty of application.

[Josh Withrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and engaging commentary.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great expository commentary. If you’re looking for something to read alongside 1 Samuel in devotional time (or perhaps sermon prep), I’m not sure you could beat this.

[Hunter Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Steve Linskens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent shorter, non-technical commentary on 1 Samuel. Excels in application.

[Swiggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff when trying to understand better more OT books :) very helpful