Customer Reviews

1 & 2 Samuel (NIV Application Commentary)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a Pastor who is consulting this work to help me teach a Bible study. Like all commentaries, this one has its strengths and weaknesses. Interestingly, the commentary is stronger on the original meaning than on application. (whereas many in the series give you application while the exegesis is left somewhat wanting.) Arnold even admits in the introduction that he is so engulfed in Ancient Near East studies that he doesn't have the best idea what's happening in contemporary culture. His applications aren't bad or wrong, they're just unexpected.

For instance, his application for I Samuel 4 deals largely with the idea of "holy war" or a Christian's stance on war. (Pacificism, etc...) While that is an interesting discussion, and somewhat pertinent to I Sam. 4, it's not an immediate application I would have drawn.

Fortunately if you understand the Original meaning the Samuels are usually very easy to draw applications from. This is a good commentary, and probably worth the price for the original meaning/ bridging context material, but for the most part you will do a better job working at application on your own.

I will say that the work is very readable, and would be useful to most laypeople.

I have found Arnold's work to be great in the Contemporary section as well as the Bridging the Gap section. To me, there is a tremendous amount of material one can use to illustrate a point; if what he has offered does not quite fit my (our) circumstance, I have found that some of the ideas he presents spring new thoughts in me. I find this to be tremendous!

With respect to the exegetical consideration, I like what he has offered, but I think this work is best used in conjunction with two other book: The Expositor's bible Commentary and by Robert Gordon. In my office, these are my primary sources (all three). One other point; I would include the New English Translation (NET) with the multitude of notes.

Very Good!

Same consistent results from this soon to be "classic" commentary series. When teaching English Bible courses at a Christian college, I frequently went to the NIVAC to expose my students to a "good exegetical voice". The students were never disappointed.

1-2 Samuel is a lot of material to cover, but Arnold does a great job of "getting to the point" without excluding important details to help you get to his conclusions. This point alone makes it a great resource not only for the busy pastor, but also a Sunday School teacher or small group leader.

Due to the fact of their consistent providing of satisfaction with past purchases, I'll continue to pick up additional copies of the NIVAC to complete my library as the need arises and the budget allows!

The NIV Application Commentary Series is a great commentary for the Sunday School teacher or Bible Study leader or the person who wants more information than what a single volume commentary can offer. For the most part these volumes are written on a popular level without the need for any technical knowledge on the biblical languages. As with any multi-volume series some of the books/authors are better than others. Bill Arnold on 1 & 2 Samuel is among the best treatments in the set.

Each of the volumes in the series are set up in the same way. There are 3 sections per passage--1. Original Meaning 2. Bridging Contexts 3. Contemporary Significance. Dr. Arnold is professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Director of Hebrew Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Which among other things indicates that his approach is theologically conservative in nature. His work on the original meaning has the depth necessary for a significant treatment without drowning the student with more detail than he can accommodate. His Contemporary Significance sections are very helpful in terms of application. The pastor will even find some good illustrative material in these sections.

Arnold deals with pretty large chunks of text at a time. This could be considered either a positive or a negative. He is obviously not going to be doing a verse-by-verse exposition. However, his work with the large ideas is quite adequate. I especially appreciated his work with the monarchy from the choosing of Saul to anointing of David. As long as you are not looking for something extremely technical I think you will find this volume to be quite helpful.

Dr. Arnold's commentary is the best available for 1 and 2 Samuel. As with others in this series, the commentary provides both the background on the passages, as well as ways to bring the message forward to the modern times. Arnold's work is easy to read, yet clearly written by an expert. I love this book!

I find the NIV Application Commentary layout very helpful, giving both the Original meaning and the Contemporary significance. I have been adding a number of NIV Application Commentaries to my bookshelf and I have not been disappointed with any of them.

This is really a very good material, for both seasoned and new Christian as it does gives you enough information to understand the past and relate it to the present and future life applications...