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BUILDING AN OT LIBRARY: 1 SAMUEL—JOB

For the books of Samuel, the Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) has given us 1 Samuel by R.W. Klein (Word, 1983) and 2 Samuel by A.A. Anderson (1989). Both are of high quality and quite useful, although there are disadvantages to having different authors write these since they have quite distinct approaches. The format for the WBC, translation, notes, form/structure/setting, comment, and explanation, however, is helpful and will be true of other WBC volumes recommended below. The reader should not overlook P.K. McCarter’s important Anchor Bible volumes (AB; Doubleday, 1980/1984), which represent the gold standard since their publication for all work on 1-2 Samuel. Others that can be read with great profit are R.P. Gordon (Zondervan, 1986), and for its rich theological insight, W. Brueggemann’s volume in the Interpretation series is unsurpassed (Westminster John Knox, 1990). To these should be added R.D. Bergen’s contribution to the New American Commentary (NAC; Broadman, 1996), and B.T. Arnold’s NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC; Zondervan, 2003). Another distinctly evangelical treatment can be found in M.J. Evans’ New International Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (NIBCOT; Hendrickson, 2000).

The WBC has both volumes available for the books of Kings, although again, they are of very mixed quality: S.J. DeVries, 1 Kings (1985) and T.R. Hobbs, 2 Kings (1985). G. Jones, writing on Kings in the New Century Bible (NCB; Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1984) follows a traditional format and is strong on historical background. D.J. Wiseman’s wealth of knowledge on ancient Near Eastern data relevant to the books of Kings makes his TOTC volume unique and quite helpful (InterVarsity, 1993). However, for definitive application of the Assyriological data to these books, the student will want to go beyond evangelical contributions to the AB volumes: M Cogan, 1 Kings (2001) and M. Cogan and H. Tadmor, 2 Kings (1988). The little book by G. Rise in the International Theological Commentary (ITC; Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1990) is short on introduction and critical issues, but long on theological sensitivity. An extensive treatment of these books may also be found in I.W. Provan’s contribution (NIBCOT; 1995), and R.D. Nelson’s emphasis on the books of Kings as “preached history” is helpful (Interpretation; 1987).

In recent decades, the theological genius of the Chronicler has been rediscovered, and the books of Chronicles, along with Ezra and Nehemiah, are providing fertile ground for biblical theology. The progress that has been made in recent years has more than compensated from the long years in which this land lay fallow. Leading the way in this regard has been the ground-breaking work of H.G.M. Williamson’s volume (NCB; 1982), along with his many important publications on the Persian period. The DBS volume by J.G. McConville (Westminster John Knox, 1984) contains good theological observations based on the work of Williamson, Japhet (see below), and others. The WBC volumes on Chronicles have also contributed to the renewed interest in these books. R. Braun’s volume includes an extensive introduction and bibliographies, and along with the volume by R.B. Dillard, the WBC volumes are solid contributions (1986/88). Along with Williamson, much of this important new work on the books of Chronicles was prompted by the work of Israeli scholar Sara Japhet, who has contributed an impressive volume for the Old Testament Library series (OTL; Westminster John Knox, 1993). As if this feast were not enough to make amends for the years eaten by the locusts, two very recent works promise to continue the progress on Chronicles. S.L. McKenzie has established himself as a leading scholar of biblical historiography, and his new volume in the Abingdon Old Testament Commentary series will no doubt be a welcome addition for students and pastors (AOTC; Abingdon, 2004). Similarly, G.N. Knoppers has compiled an impressive list of contributions in recent years, and his long-awaited AB volumes have now begun to appear (I Chronicles [2004]). When complete, this will no doubt be the first commentary to consult on the books of Chronicles. 

Authors typically comment on Ezra and Nehemiah together since they seem to form a single work (while sorting out the sequential priority of one over the other sometimes receives more space than any commentary can afford). F.C. Fensham’s study in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT; Eerdmans, 1982) is good on linguistic data, but thin theologically, and he is outside the new consensus that Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles were from different hands. D. Kidner as a commentator always manages to make the most of smaller studies, which is no less true of his work on Ezra-Nehemiah (TOTC; 1979). Joseph Blenkinsopp’s work for the OTL (1988) may be read with profit, as may M.A. Throntveit’s work for his helpful literary insights (Interpretation; 1992). However, by far the best available is still H.G.M. Williamson’s WBC volume (1985), which is unsurpassed for its historical and theological sensitivity.

J.G. McConville’s DBS volume covers Ezra-Nehemiah as well as Esther (Westminster John Knox, 1985), which is true also of D.J.A. Clines’ contribution in the NCB (1984). Clines is reliable, sensible, and does not get bogged down with minutiae, which is necessary for these smaller commentaries. Advanced students may wish to consult Clines’ The Esther Scroll (Sheffield, 1986) for a fascinating discussion of the book’s composition. K.H. Jobes’ contribution to the NIVAC (1999) is helpful, as is J. Baldwin’s study in the TOTC (1984), which also has useful excursuses on various topics. However, pride of place among this group must go to the exceptional volume by F.W. Bush in the WBC series, Ruth, Esther (1996), which covers a multitude of topics, including a noteworthy section on linguistics and the nature of Late Biblical Hebrew in Esther.

For the book of Job, one may turn to J.E. Hartley’s NICOT volume (1988) for an excellent introduction. For extensive treatment of Job, or for at least chapters 1-20, D.J.A. Clines’ is best (NICOT; 1989). The second volume is imminent. J.G. Janzen’s contribution to the Interpretation series (1985) is rich for theological content. F.I. Andersen’s TOTC volume (1976) is older, but still worthy of mention. Finally, although it may seem odd to mention it here, a classic commentary on Job by É. Dhorme was published originally in 1926 in French, translated into English in 1967, and re-released in 1984 (Nelson). This volume still has much to commend it to the serious student of Job.

By Bill T. Arnold, Ph.D., Professor of Old Testament & Semitic Languages at Asbury Theological Seminary.