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Bible #9-10

First and Second Samuel, KJV

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This is a single volume from the complete set of large print individual Bible books available from Sunlight Desktop Publishing (Sunlight Bibles).

"These Bible books are ... perfect for Bible studies." - Darlene Sauber

"The size of the print ... is so easy to read, even at a distance." - Paul Carpenter

About I & II Samuel: 2 books in 1 volume. Samuel is called by God to serve as the last judge in Israel and to anoint its first two kings, Saul and David. The two books follow the lives of these three men.

Large print complete books of First and Second Samuel from the Holy Bible (King James Version, KJV). Printed in clear, large print, the slim size and light weight of this book is easy to hold and carry. It can be used for personal and group Bible studies or given as a gift.

137 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 1999

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Ricky Bosso.
29 reviews6 followers
September 24, 2018
In the first and second books of Samuel, the first biblical kings of Israel are established after years of Judges. The stories of Saul’s downfall and David’s rise to power are in the first book, and the many tribulations of David’s kingship are told in the second. I should say, actually, for anyone reading Absalom, Absalom! (as I am now), the entire story of David’s son Absalom is probably pretty important reference material for understanding what Faulkner is trying to do in that novel. Well, at least I think it is. I’ll save what I’ll say when I finish Absalom, Absalom!.

The Books of Samuel are considered the first of the Historical Books of the Bible. Regardless of accuracy, the chronology is consistent and the central figures are clear. Gone, mostly, are the bizarre repetitions and tedious censuses written throughout portions of the Pentateuch, some seen in parts throughout Joshua and Judges.

For the time being, I think I’ll have more to say about Samuel once I get through Kings or maybe Chronicles.
Profile Image for Joan Haughton.
1,387 reviews6 followers
March 17, 2018
First Samuel a mighty prophet of God, not one of his words fall to the ground meaning everything he spoke came to pass. Samuel was also the last Judge over Israel, the people asked for a King to rule over them and fight for them like the other people when God was their King. Samuel anointed Saul the Benjamite to be the first King over Israel. Saul was disobedient and the kingdom was torn from him and David was anointed to be King. Saul was jealous of David when he killed Goliath and the women sang that Saul killed his thousands but David tens of thousands. David spend most of 1 Samuel running and hiding from Saul. On two occasions David had the chance to kill Saul but he did not because he would not touch the Lords's anointed. Although David was anointed he went through diverse trials and had to wait until the appointed time for him to be King, he was a mighty warrior who always inquired of the Lord before he went to battle.

The Second book of Samuel essentially chronicles David's reign as king in Israel. He made some crucial mistakes for example when he slept with Uriah's wife and then basically killed him. When the prophet Nathan confronted him, he repented and was filled with remorse, Psalm 51 documents his prayer for forgiveness for his trespass. He also made a vital error in judgement when he took up a census of the people in Israel, God was very angry because David should know that it is the Lord that gave him the victory not the number or strength of his army.

David was a man of praise, he sought God's council whenever he was to fight or make major decisions. Although he was not perfect, God refereed to him as a man after his own heart. It just goes to show that even if we make mistakes, we just need to repent and God will forgive our sins and we will be back in fellowship with Him.

Bless the name of Jesus!
Profile Image for Joe Bruno.
407 reviews7 followers
November 25, 2023
After "Cry the Beloved Country," I read 1st and 2nd Samuel in a Kindle copy of the ESV bible. The character of Absalom was my motivation, but I came to find that the character of David was much more interesting. This is really a great story, the presentation is sometimes lacking, but it is a great adventure.

The culture of that time and place is much different than 21st century America. The stories are mostly of war and sex, and women are very much second class citizens. The principle characters in these stories are not the greatest of folks either, trouble follows Saul and David the whole story.

This is the part of the Bible of which Thomas Paine said "Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon, than the word of God." I don't know about the word of god, but they are rollicking stories. I am going to see what Joseph Heller did with the stories in his novel, "God Knows," based on the life of David found here.

I have a nice New English Bible that I usually look stuff up in, and when I use my Kindle, and I have an ESV version on that. I was just poking around on Amazon and came across this thing for 4 bucks and free shipping so I bought it. An impulse purchase for sure. It has text on the left hand pages with the right hand side blank for note-taking. Unless your line of work is that of a clergyman or professional scholar, this is not really something you need. Still, a paper copy is something I prefer, call me old-fashioned. As far as what translation, I read this stuff for enjoyment, not salvation. Any recent translation is fine, readable. I wouldn't bother buying this though, you can get all sorts of bible translations on line for free.
Profile Image for Hannah Lehfeldt.
58 reviews
May 25, 2025
Hot take I’m not a huge fan of David. He had a strong start but I think it matters a lot how you finish and what kind of legacy you leave behind.
Profile Image for Theresa.
4,246 reviews15 followers
November 12, 2018
Two books of Israel’s history that take place during the time of Saul and David’s reigns.

It starts with the birth of Samuel who grows to be a great prophet-judge of the Hebrew people. He helps unite the scattered tribes under one king, Saul.

From then on it continues with the history of King Saul’s reign as he fights the Philistines (Israel always seems to be fighting the Philistines) and other enemies of Israel.

Then David enters the picture with his fight with the giant Goliath. Due to Saul’s’ sin of anger, Samuel anoints David replacing Saul as king. David’s reign is littered with conflict also. First running from Saul, then later chasing and running from his own son, Absalom. He has another son by Bathsheba, Solomon who grows up to be one of the wisest and best known kings

There are moments of happiness though. For example: his true friendship with Saul’s son Jonathon.

Footnote: 1) David had a lot of trouble with women. One wife was given to another man, one betrayed him and another made fun of him. He was seduced by another woman, whose husband he then had killed so he could marry her.

Fave scenes: Samuel waking Eli up when God calls him, Jonathon and the arrows, Jonathon’s lame grandson, Mephibosheth and David weeping for his dead son.
Profile Image for Benjamin Bartels.
127 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2020
I’m currently working on reading the Bible through in a year, and this book I remember being so great with the start of the kingship of Saul and David. I admire how David was a man after God’s own Heart, and you can see His desire to love the Lord’s anointed. There is a lot of death and betrayal. But at the end of the day, what I love about this book is that it shows the raw nature that no one is perfect, not even great leaders. Overall, a fantastic narrative!
Profile Image for Karla Renee Goforth Abreu.
688 reviews8 followers
May 6, 2022
1-2 Sameul are in one book. In a one volume Bible they are separate. Originally, they were not separate.
See my other reviews on this set. It is marvelous!
Note: if read as intended, the time will be longer than simply reading these out of a one volume Bible.
If you enjoy Bible reading and reflection, invest in these two beautiful sets, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
169 reviews
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October 19, 2022
Read this for Dovid Melech Yisrael, found myself in Saul. One of the most tragic characters I’ve ever encountered in literature, a man who, for all he tries, cannot go beyond his limits. He is good and able, but David is better, and he will always be better. We can all relate, I think.
Profile Image for Vicki Cottingham.
140 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2024
I love reading these illuminated scripture journals and having space to make my own notes, writing prayers and also writing about how God speaks to me through them. A great aid to your devotional quiet time with God.
Profile Image for Emmanuel Aquino.
28 reviews
April 13, 2025
I'd like to thank my friends and family for enduring my David phase and my constant spear throwing at them, yelling at them that the kingdom had been taken from them, conducting seances, and cutting off bits of clothing at night.
Profile Image for Bobbi Baker.
121 reviews12 followers
April 5, 2022
Two of my favorite books of the Old Testament. The same smitings and massacres and animal sacrifices, but they cover the life of the complex king David.
Profile Image for Benjamin.
845 reviews30 followers
April 1, 2023
Useful for sermon notes and personal reflection/commentary.
Profile Image for Alexis Hewitt.
143 reviews1 follower
February 25, 2024
David, in all his imperfections, is my favorite man in the Bible. Through trials, he never stopped praising the Lord. He was truly a man after God's heart.
Profile Image for Joelle.
370 reviews
March 26, 2024
great way to read through 1&2 Samuel. Love these collectibles!!
Profile Image for Bud Russell.
465 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2024
The basis of my study in the book of 1&2 Samuel. Reading through the Old Testament in conjuction with "Through The Word" commentary.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews