The Message of Samuel

I read the (lightly) updated version of this last year and profited immensely. Evans is to be commended for striking a solid balance between reading as a woman and reading as an evangelical - as a male reader, I was impressed by her clarity and charity. A really helpful exposition of 1 and 2 Samuel.

Mary Evans' NIBC (2000) gives a very brief exposition (she has something like 5 pages per chapter), organized section-by-section, with some notes at the end of each section on more technical matters. These are usually still brief. This series is intended for a popular level. Reviewers seem to me to prefer Baldwin (TOTC) in general. Evans is keen on the theme of power, both proper and appropriate use of it and its misuse. Longman says she shows good literary sense in terms of the plot and narrative. [Full Review]

A very practical exposition of 1 and 2 Samuel, highlighting the theme of the abuse of power. Lots of application, particularly in the area of leadership. [Full Review]