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BUILDING AN OLD TESTAMENT LIBRARY: 1 SAMUEL—JOB

Interest in the literary artistry of 1 and 2 Samuel has dominated the study of the books in the last few decades, although work continues on the questions of composition and history that preoccupied the previous generation of scholars. Literary analysis of the books receives a rich and engaging treatment by W. Brueggemann in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Preaching and Teaching (Westminster/John Knox, 1990). Packed with theological and rhetorical insight, his commentary focuses on three narrative motifs: social and political power, David’s personality, and the activity of Yahweh. A more conventional format is followed by R. Gordon (Zondervan, 1986), who offers detailed analyses of grammatical, lexical, and textual issues along with a particularly useful discussion of the composition of the books. Among evangelical commentaries (besides Gordon), the volumes by A. A. Anderson in the Word Biblical Commentary (WBC; Word, 1989) and J. Baldwin in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary (TOTC; InterVarsity, 1988) stand out. Anderson engages with scholarship and provides exacting analysis of the text, and Baldwin provides clear exposition and thoughtful reflection on the many theological tensions that surface in the books.

Evangelicals have also produced a number of excellent commentaries on 1 and 2 Kings. One of the best is I. Provan’s contribution in the New International Biblical Commentary (NIBC; Hendrickson, 1995). Provan opens with an introduction that discusses the importance of reading Kings as narrative, historiographical, and didactive literature. His clear and informed engagement with the issues of literature and history is worth reading in its own right. The volume also takes note of the intertextual character of the Bible and explores trajectories out of Kings into the whole of the canon. P. House in the New American Commentary (Broadman & Holman, 1995) provides sound but restrained exposition and literary analysis in a user-friendly format, although sometimes avoiding a full engagement with the thorny chronological issues associated with the books. These chronological issues receive a cogent treatment by D. Wiseman (TOTC, 1993). Drawing on his expertise in ancient Near Eastern history, Wiseman’s commentary focuses on explaining the meaning of events in the books within their historical and social context. Mention should also be made of the superlative commentary on 1 Kings by J. Walsh, a Roman Catholic scholar in the Berit Olam series (Liturgical, 1996). Walsh’s careful attention to structural and rhetorical devices reveals Kings as a narrative of astonishing vitality and power.

Students of 1 and 2 Chronicles are well served by a number of fine commentaries. The two volumes in the WBC, written respectively by R. Braun (1986) and R. Dillard (1987), are among the best in the series. The volumes work well as a unit. Braun opens with an extensive introduction that contains a particularly informative discussion of the origin and function of genealogies. Dillard picks up many of Braun’s observations about theme and message and integrates a discussion of them into the body of his commentary. Both volumes offer extensive bibliographies and significant interaction with scholarship. Less technical, but no less informative on matters of rhetoric and message, are the two volumes by M. Selman (TOTC, 1994). Selman provides a full and highly readable overview of the books, followed by lively commentary with a keen sensitivity to theology. A more meticulous reading of the books is undertaken by H. Williamson in his single volume commentary in the New Century Bible Commentary (NCBC; Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1982). Following the series format, Williamson comments verse-by-verse with attention to the meanings of critical words and phrases. Although part of a larger volume, the reader will also benefit from L. Allen’s analysis in Volume III of the New Interpreter’s Bible (NIB; Abingdon, 1999) and the reflections on Christian faith and life that conclude each section of commentary.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are generally combined in commentaries. Arguably the best commentary is that of H. Williamson (WBC, 1985). Williamson’s grasp of the complex issues of history, composition, and context is remarkable, and these are explained with unusual clarity, all the while demonstrating their relevance for the interpretation of the text. As with most volumes in this series, students will find extensive bibliographies and explorations of the compositional, formal, and literary dimensions of the books. D. Clines’ commentary (NCBC, 1984—with the addition of Esther) stretches the series’ predilection for linguistic analysis with consistently insightful explorations of historical and literary issues. Those looking for a summary of the arguments regarding the date of Ezra’s mission will find a complete yet succinct synopsis in the introduction. A strong commitment to the conservative position on the historicity of the books marks C. Fensham’s often-insightful contribution (New International Commentary on the Old Testament; NICOT, W.B. Eerdmans, 1982) and shapes the commentary throughout.

Because of its extraordinary depth of analysis, superb prose, and respect for the text as Scripture, J. Levenson’s commentary on Esther in the Old Testament Library (Westminster/John Knox, 1997) is in a class by itself. His is in many ways a model commentary, especially in its capacity to bring the reader into the text for understanding and then out again for contemplation of its theological relevance. Students will also want to consult F. Bush (Ruth-Esther; WBC, 1996), for interaction with the scholarly literature, structural observations, and linguistic analysis of the Hebrew text. On a popular level, but with sound scholarly underpinning, K. Jobes presents a winsome reading in the NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 1999). The format, which consists of searching out the text’s meaning in context, its timeless meaning, and its relevance for the contemporary reader exemplifies a procedure that all students of exegesis will recognize.

Although the scholarly literature on Job is vast and intriguing, one encounters few high caliber commentaries. D. Clines’ commentary (WBC, 1989), however, is exceptional.  Clines’ exhaustive bibliographies are second to none, and his provocative prose often belies the impression that one is reading a commentary. Unhappily, the volume addresses chapters 1-20 only. Those seeking a comprehensive treatment of the entire book will find solid exposition and linguistic analysis in J. Hartley’s commentary (NICOT, 1988), while those looking for theological insight will likely turn to G. Janzen (Interpretation, 1985) or C. Newsom (NIB, Vol. IV, 1996).

By L. Daniel Hawk, Ph.D., John Wesley Fellow, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Ashland Theological Seminary, and author of Joshua: Berit Olam, Studies in Hebrew Narrative & Poetry (Liturgical, 2001).