I & II Samuel: A Commentary

by Hans Wilhelm Hertzberg, John S. Bowden (translator)

For theological interpretation of 1-2 Samuel, start with Walter Brueggemann’s 1st & 2nd Samuel (Interpretation, 1990) or Eugene H. Peterson’s 1st & 2nd Samuel (Westminster Bible Companion, '99). Antony F. Campbell has published a recent set of commentaries (1 Samuel, '03; 2 Samuel, '05) in the FOTL series. Campbell is sensitive to issues of the book’s development without losing sight of the fact that the text is part of the Judeo-Christian canon. Normally, the Old Testament Library is a good theological series. However, for Samuel, the OTL volume by Hans Wilhelm Hertzberg (I & II Samuel) may overwhelm pastors with too much historical & compositional data, altho students with a more historically-oriented interest will find it helpful for tracing the lines of argumentation back thru early 20th-century European thought. Kyle McCarter’s technical two book series is an invaluable resource for advanced students looking for text-critical data (I Samuel, '80; II Samuel, '84; Anchor Bible) & Ralph Klein’s 1 Samuel (Word Bible Commentary, '83) is a good semi-technical volume in the same vein as Campbell’s.
Hans Wilhelm Hertzberg was Professor of Old Testament at the University of Kiel in Germany.

Genres: Old Testament

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books of Samuel in the Bible represent the formation and early years of the Hebrew monarchy, the period following Judges. Samuel was the prophet who established the kingship under Saul and, depending on the text one refers to, either endorsed or condemned it. It is in First and Second Samuel that one reads of the brigand-turned-king David. Subsequent Hebrew monarchs are treated primarily in the Books of Kings.

I read this commentary, and others, for a course on I-II Samuel taught by a visiting professor to Union Theological Seminary, David Jobling. My paper for that course was on the pericope concerning David and the priests of Nob, a text which I took to refer to later controversy regarding the authenticity of the Temple priesthood.

Hertzberg's commentary is scholarly, somewhat dry and virtually exhaustive. Not only does he exposit the text and its possible historical associations, but he also discusses the history of opinion on such matters.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all intro materials through the part in I Samuel into the monarchy of Saul; this was a deliberate reading for a preaching engagement. I thought that this older book, translated from the German, held up very well for contemporary reading, study and preparation to share the transitional period of Samuel (my text was I Samuel 8).

Since I own this book, I can gladly return to it for any needs I may have in the future.