The JPS Bible Commentary: 1 Samuel

The Jewish Publication Society’s highly acclaimed Bible Commentary series provides the Hebrew text of the Bible, the JPS English translation, and a line-by-line commentary.

This literary, historical, and archaeological commentary on First Samuel illuminates one of the great books of biblical storytelling, with its focus on three key characters, Samuel, Saul, and David, and with strong female characters such as Hannah, Michal, and Abigail abounding as well. Resting on a foundation of the most recent research into biblical language, literary forms, and historical context, the academic and accessible commentary guides the reader through the tectonic historical shift as Israel transitioned from a loose confederation of tribes to a more centralized monarchy.

The individual comments bring the reader to the geographical and topographical aspects of the land of Israel, with attention to every relevant archaeological site mentioned in the text-while keeping the reader attuned to the morality and theology of the biblical text. Chapter introductions guide the reader through the narrative arc and extensive excursus material offers in-depth analyses of key themes, while classic rabbinic and contemporary sources reveal the richness of Jewish thought and tradition to scholars, clergy, and serious students of Judaism alike.