Review
One of my first (and most challenging) teaching assignments required me to explain 1 Samuel to a class of ten-year-olds over two semesters' time. The experience gave me a special love for that part of the Old Testament, and I never tire of revisiting it. Jim Newheiser's brief commentary is one of the richest, most insightful resources on 1 Samuel I have ever found. It is a well-written, compelling analysis of the biblical narrative, filled with razor-sharp reflections on the text, all very skillfully shown to be practical and applicable for today's readers. This is Old Testament exposition at its very best. --Phil Johnson, Executive Director, Grace to You
David is Christ; his followers are professing Christians; his foes are the enemies of Christ and his cause. Jim Newheiser's pointed study of the text of 1 Samuel shows how that book is truly part of Christian Scripture and that, at a time when Christ's right to rule the church and the world is challenged all Christians are to be wholly on the Lord's side. --Hywel R. Jones, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary, California
I Samuel is one of the most dynamic books of the Bible, a real page-turner, delightful for family devotions and for introducing congregations to the historical narratives of the Old Testament. Start here with Hannah, Samuel, the declension of Israel, the rise of Saul, the anointing of David, his friendship with Jonathan, Goliath, the death of Samuel, the death of Saul. It is mouth-watering to savour those names and all they mean to the history of God's people. My friend Jim Newheiser, pastor and preacher, has opened up this narrative and shown us the lineage of the Messiah in the line of King David, and the powers of darkness that would have destroyed it. There is no better brief and helpful introduction to the First Book of Samuel than the book you are holding in your hand right now. Devour it and put its lessons into practice in your life, and that of your church. --Revd Geoff Thomas, Pastor since 1965 of Alfred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, Wales
About the Author
For many years, Jim Newheiser has found great joy and fulfillment in combining pastoral ministry in his local church with participation in training men for ministry, both locally and abroad. A graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary, California (MA, DMin), he is a pastor at Grace Bible Church in Escondido, California, and also has an extensive international ministry. He has been practicing biblical counseling for over twenty years and is a NANC Fellow. Since 2006 he has also served as the director of IBCD. He is the author of Opening Up Proverbs, published by Day One, and he and his wife, Caroline, have three adult children.
