First and Second Samuel: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching

Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching

by Walter Brueggemann

With critical scholarship and theological sensitivity, Walter Brueggemann traces the people of God through the books of Samuel as they shift from marginalized tribalism to oppressive monarchy. He carefully opens the literature of the books, sketching a narrative filled with historical realism but also bursting with an awareness that more than human action is being presented.

Genres: Theology, Old Testament, Christianity, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Reference

362 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Walter Brueggemann was an American Christian scholar and theologian who is widely considered an influential Old Testament scholar. His work often focused on the Hebrew prophetic tradition and the sociopolitical imagination of the Church. He argued that the Church must provide a counter-narrative to the dominant forces of consumerism, militarism, and nationalism.

Reviews

[Ethan Highfill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should give the caveat that I didn’t read this entire book. This was mostly a reference tool for a class I taught at my church.

This was a great resource. Very different from the Anchor Bible series in its focus, but still informative. The author didn’t deal fully with every issue that 1 Samuel raises, but he still did a good job working through them from multiple perspectives. I think Brueggemann’s strength in this work is his theological reading of the book.

[Michael Hinnen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always informative and creative in his interpretations. More liberal in his scholarship, but good for helping you think.

[Zee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was only after finishing the book that I learned Brueggemann had passed a month prior. I had heard his name many times but was not familiar with him, and this first impression left me often feeling as though he is quite comfortable reading quite a bit into the text historically and literarily. While this is typical of many scholars, many assertions seem quite eisegetic, some to the point at which I would only expect to read from someone with a secular mindset, teaching a class on an OT they don’t even believe in and are thus incapable of truly knowing.

Some key passages are left unexplored; others are sometimes explained as the result of literary intent without mention of very plausible theological rationale, and still others are depicted as having motivated intent without mention of what to me seems very obvious theological or literary explanation. I now understand why many footnotes in others’ works take swipes at him. Thankfully, things are quite clear no matter his stance, and I particularly enjoyed the theological contextualization of monarchy.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve thought for some time that the value of the Interpretation Bible Commentary series is in its theological reflection. It’s a critical series, but I often find the theology valuable enough to check out even though I don’t agree with the criticism nor the methodology that’s used. Walter Brueggemann is perhaps the best writer in the series for pulling out these theological gems that no one else thinks of. People all across the theological spectrum are impressed by his creative writing.

The introduction given is hardly an introduction for the books of Samuel at all. In only a few words, he describes the period of the books of Samuel as one of major social change. Going from a tribal system to a monarchy would indeed be quite a transition. He sees three factors in that social change that we can easily agree with. From there, in a few more pages, he provides more introduction to his approach than to the overall books of Samuel themselves. This is not a standard academic introduction.

While he may have had little interest in the introduction, he poured all his efforts into the commentary itself. Again, there are critical perspectives you may not agree with, but there are nuggets all around for those who are looking. Every passage will likely have them. These nuggets will be both theologically profound and exquisitely stated. This commentary is worth looking up.

I received this map free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Adam Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brueggemann can do what every pastor and Bible teacher sets out to do: take stories and literature from another world and another time and bring them to life breathing meaning and insight into our contemporary context. In this brilliant treatment Brueggemann keeps the reader engaged as he traverses the ancient world of kings and battles and odd mythical tales and weaves in overarching themes of power, faith, and ultimately God's relentless pursuit of his people. No biblical commentary is ever perfect or complete but want Brueggemann sets out to do with this study is highly effective and offers an important contribution to biblical studies - like just about everything he's ever written.

[Rev Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't really recommend because Brueggemann at times changes the clear meaning of the text to fit preconceptions he already possesses. We are not to approach the Bible with our modern sensibilities but we should come with what the Word of God has to speak to us.

[Simon O'Mahony · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times I found his conclusions to be rather speculative, but he was always an interesting dialogue partner.

[Kathy Moragne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful as I led our group in reading about David.

[Chris Risley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight, liberal theology is clear at some points

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are times when you find a scholar who, in an instant, forces you to rethink everything you've already known, reimagine what you assumed and rewrite everything you've written. Brueggeman is that for me in the Old Testament (just as N.T. Wright is that for me in the New). It wasn't that i was wrong before - I probably was on the track that Brueggeman has laid down, it's just that I was so completely inadequate. My understanding of the OT texts was black and white, and Brueggeman's explanations and scholarly work pushes them towards hi-def.

Buy this, and keep it close at hand.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always had a high regard for the work of Walter Brueggemann, but I did find this book in the Interpretation series "for preaching and teaching" to be more directly involved in some scholarship than other books I have in the same series.

As with all three books I've listed on I & II Samuel this week, I read all introductory material through the kingship of Saul, in order to prepare a sermon on I Sam 8.

I will gladly return to this book in the future, should the occasion arise when I might need it.

[tohuvabohu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overly digested. Overly explained. Like his poor Genesis commentary, Brueggemann says way too much and doesn't let the text do enough of the talking. Robert Alter's spare translation/commentary "The David Story" offers so much more room for the reader's and preacher's imagination.

[Bruce Fogerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good text. Gives the reader additional interpretation regarding the political, social, and literary aspects of First and Second Samuel.