Samuel
by The Bible · שְׁמוּאֵל
Assigned by 1 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- c. 7th-6th century BCE
- Form
- Scripture
- Language
- Hebrew
- Length
- Medium · 150 pp120 to 300 pages
- Difficulty
- Moderate2 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendThe David Story, translated by Robert AlterW. W. Norton, 2000Alter's translation of 1 and 2 Samuel with a commentary alert to the narrative's artistry.
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The two books of Samuel narrate Israel's transition from judges to kings. The prophet Samuel reluctantly anoints Saul as first king at the people's demand, then anoints the shepherd David when Saul disobeys. David kills Goliath, befriends Saul's son Jonathan, flees Saul's jealousy and becomes king of a united Israel with Jerusalem as its capital. His adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband bring the prophet Nathan's rebuke and a family catastrophe of rape, fratricide and the rebellion and death of his son Absalom.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Samuel are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
