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1 and 2 Samuel for Everyone
Following on the heels of the successful New Testament for Everyone commentaries by N. T. Wright, John Goldingay, an internationally respected Old Testament scholar, authors this ambitious Old Testament for Everyone series. Covering Scripture from Genesis to Malachi, Goldingay addresses the texts in such a way that even the most challenging passages are explained simply. Perfect for daily devotions, Sunday school preparation, or brief visits with the Bible, the Old Testament for Everyone series is an excellent resource for the modern reader
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2011
About the author
John E. Goldingay
87 books73 followersJohn Goldingay is David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. An internationally respected Old Testament scholar, Goldingay is the author of many commentaries and books.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 29, 2020
The Bible for Everyone series lives up to its name. This is an excellent layman's commentary. Author John Goldingay is a clear, thorough teacher. I appreciate the background provided as well as how he points out exactly what the text does and does NOT say. This volume in particular recognizes not an idealized David but one of mixed motives, ultimately human - which is incredibly hopeful and freeing. God is at work in the messiest, most human of situations, as we see in the life of King David.
April 9, 2022
Un excellent survol. Mais qui ne reste qu'un survol. Hors Goldingay sait nous montrer sa connaissance du premier testament et l'on aimerait qu'il approfondisse plus. Mais ce serait sortir du cadre de la série.
Un bon premier contact avec cet auteur en tout cas.
Un bon premier contact avec cet auteur en tout cas.
September 1, 2013
John Goldingay's writing is impressive. His style is smooth and flows well, his points are clearly articulated, and he holds the readers attention. Moreover, his translation (so far as I can tell) is well done. Granted, I'm not a Hebrew scholar, but the text of 1 and 2 Samuel he includes has neither the clunkiness of some literal translations nor the forced chumminess of some of the worse glosses. (If I'm wrong on his translating abilities, please let me know--it's just not my area of expertise.)
What's much less impressive is Goldingay's theology. Specifically, his theology of the sovereignty of God is undeveloped to the point where you have to wonder if he's even reading the same 1 and 2 Samuel that the rest of us are.
Now, to be fair, these are HARD books. We know that all Scripture points to Christ, but the history books of the OT are notoriously difficult to interpret as Christians trying to see the light of the Gospel shed over the past. What's more, 1 and 2 Samuel are especially difficult, as they have less formal structuring and more ambiguous characters. (Contrary to what we all learned in Sunday School, David is NOT a moral exemplar.) Yet for all that, to claim (repeatedly) that there are "'chance' events in which God was not directly involved [that] work in David's favor, and [for which] one can imagine that God is glad" (101) simply does not reflect the reality revealed in Scripture, even in 1 Samuel. I suppose Goldingay may be speaking sarcastically in these passages, but that wasn't the impression I got. The overwhelming claim of Scripture is that God is absolutely sovereign over every aspect of human existence. Nature, history, mankind, and so forth fall under his decree. The sort-of on-again off-again crypto-deism espoused in this commentary means that I cannot in good conscience recommend it. Which really is unfortunate, since Goldingay has excellent things to say about some of the passages and does bring out bits of the text I hadn't noticed before. No doubt he has other books on other subjects that are worthwhile (I'd love to read some of his writing on the secular history of the Ancient Near East, if such writing exists...).
What's much less impressive is Goldingay's theology. Specifically, his theology of the sovereignty of God is undeveloped to the point where you have to wonder if he's even reading the same 1 and 2 Samuel that the rest of us are.
Now, to be fair, these are HARD books. We know that all Scripture points to Christ, but the history books of the OT are notoriously difficult to interpret as Christians trying to see the light of the Gospel shed over the past. What's more, 1 and 2 Samuel are especially difficult, as they have less formal structuring and more ambiguous characters. (Contrary to what we all learned in Sunday School, David is NOT a moral exemplar.) Yet for all that, to claim (repeatedly) that there are "'chance' events in which God was not directly involved [that] work in David's favor, and [for which] one can imagine that God is glad" (101) simply does not reflect the reality revealed in Scripture, even in 1 Samuel. I suppose Goldingay may be speaking sarcastically in these passages, but that wasn't the impression I got. The overwhelming claim of Scripture is that God is absolutely sovereign over every aspect of human existence. Nature, history, mankind, and so forth fall under his decree. The sort-of on-again off-again crypto-deism espoused in this commentary means that I cannot in good conscience recommend it. Which really is unfortunate, since Goldingay has excellent things to say about some of the passages and does bring out bits of the text I hadn't noticed before. No doubt he has other books on other subjects that are worthwhile (I'd love to read some of his writing on the secular history of the Ancient Near East, if such writing exists...).
January 20, 2016
I read Goldingay's commentary in order to prepare to read Geraldine Brook's The Secret Chord. Wanted to have my biblical history firmly engrained before jumping into biblical fiction. As with the other Goldingay commentary I've read, he has a different view of some things than I have ever heard. Some comments he made that stuck in my mind about David:
1. David wasn't a happy person.
2. David wasn't good at relationships. Look at his family - wives and children. Even his friendship with Johnathon was initiated (and sustained) by Johnathon.
3. Studying the life of Saul and David, Goldingay's conclusion is that we should be thankful that God hasn't chosen us as key players in his larger story.
4. 2 Samuel 8:15 is the high point of David's kingship.
5. David made many errors (more severe than Saul on many occasions). The only reason he was allowed to continue was because of God's promise to him. Despite David's blunders, he is considered the model king because he never worshipped other gods nor encouraged his people to either.
Food for thought.
1. David wasn't a happy person.
2. David wasn't good at relationships. Look at his family - wives and children. Even his friendship with Johnathon was initiated (and sustained) by Johnathon.
3. Studying the life of Saul and David, Goldingay's conclusion is that we should be thankful that God hasn't chosen us as key players in his larger story.
4. 2 Samuel 8:15 is the high point of David's kingship.
5. David made many errors (more severe than Saul on many occasions). The only reason he was allowed to continue was because of God's promise to him. Despite David's blunders, he is considered the model king because he never worshipped other gods nor encouraged his people to either.
Food for thought.
January 27, 2014
This is an excellent easy to read commentary on the first and second books of Samuel. I found it very helpful for my own devotional reflection but it also helped my understanding of these books. I think this series of commentaries would also be good for group bible studies. I don't think they provide answers to complicated theological issues. What they do is to open up the text in a way that is easy to engage and they enable a person to reflect. In this way they are very good for people who are just starting to study the OT and for people who are familiar with the text.
Professor Goldingay has a great way of reflecting on his personal life and showing how he is able to achieve a deeper understanding of the text through his personal reflection. To be able to do this and engage with the text in this deeply personal way is something everyone could benefit from. I think the title of the series is appropriate because it is indeed for everyone.
Professor Goldingay has a great way of reflecting on his personal life and showing how he is able to achieve a deeper understanding of the text through his personal reflection. To be able to do this and engage with the text in this deeply personal way is something everyone could benefit from. I think the title of the series is appropriate because it is indeed for everyone.
March 21, 2016
My first impression is that the OT "for Everyone" commentaries are not as good as the NT ones - but then again I really enjoy NT Wright, so I may be being a bit hard on Goldingay :)
This is a good devotional commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel, and that is what I would recommend it for - perhaps also as an introduction to the books of Samuel for someone who hasn't really delved into the Old Testament or the Ancient Near East. The Author is not intending for this to be a scholarly commentary. He does quickly summarise some passages, and there is no real examination of the text - but then that is not the purpose of this book. Rather it is a good book to add to your daily devotions - or perhaps to you bedtime reading.
This is a good devotional commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel, and that is what I would recommend it for - perhaps also as an introduction to the books of Samuel for someone who hasn't really delved into the Old Testament or the Ancient Near East. The Author is not intending for this to be a scholarly commentary. He does quickly summarise some passages, and there is no real examination of the text - but then that is not the purpose of this book. Rather it is a good book to add to your daily devotions - or perhaps to you bedtime reading.
May 1, 2024
I really appreciate The Old Testament for everyone series. Each of these books breaks down the scriptures with commentary that explain concepts and historical significance. Highly recommend this series!
November 5, 2011
This is a good solid, cautious, commentary designed for the general reader. It's conversational in style and easily accessible. Enjoy!
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November 16, 2017Taught through Samuel in Sunday School class during Fall 2017
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews