1 & 2 Samuel (NIV Application Commentary) (Hardcover)

by Bill T. Arnold (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
1, 2 Samuel which is part of the NIV Application Commentary Series is a commentary on 2 books that have much to say to the 21st century concept of sin, repentance, forgiveness, and life under the lordship of God.

From the Back Cover
Why do the books of Samuel pack such broad appeal? Taken together as a single narrative, they certainly offer something for everyone: kings and prophets, great battles and greater heroes, action and romance, loyalty and betrayal, the mundane and the miraculous. In Samuel, we meet Saul, David, Goliath, Jonathan, Bathsheba, the witch of Endor, and other unforgettable characters. And we encounter ourselves. For while the culture and conditions of Israel under its first kings is vastly different from our own, the basic issues of humans in relation to God, the Great King, have not changed. Sin, repentance, forgiveness, adversity, prayer, faith, and the promises of God—these continue to play out in our lives today.

Exploring the links between the Bible and our own times, Bill T. Arnold shares perspectives on 1 and 2 Samuel that reveal ageless truths for our twenty-first-century lives.

Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from our world to the world of the Bible. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. They focus on the original meaning of the passage but don’t discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable—but the job is only half done!

The NIV Application Commentary Series helps bring both halves of the interpretive task together. This unique, award-winning series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into our postmodern context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also how it speaks powerfully today.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310210860
• ISBN-13: 978-0310210863
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #231,273 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful commentary, but not the best., April 6, 2006

By	Tyce E. Jensen "Tyce" (Broken Bow, NE) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid exegetical resource with creative application, September 29, 2007

By	Gregory A. Blake (At 9000 feet in the Rockies) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good!, April 15, 2008

By	R. Thomas (Sullivan, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!