I’m so grateful this commentary finally made it to a physical copy. Though it’s been available digitally for a decade, there are those weirdos like me who must hold it in our hands. Perhaps there are several of us because this book does not hold the elevated place it should. It is a magnificent commentary. Cliche or not, it is a game changer.

What will startle you right off the bat is just how massive it is. Unlike some other large works, there is no filler material that I can see. It is all a treasure trove of learning to help you make sense of the books of Samuel.

Perhaps it invites comparison to the brand new sparkling commentary by Oswalt on the books of Kings released the same day. I would describe Oswalt’s work as a book that is fantastic with the forest view while there are a sufficient number of trees. I would call this work outstanding with all of its trees, but still with the sufficient forest view. I simply can’t remember a better single day of releases in the realm of commentaries ever.

The Introduction runs 120 pages but there’s a huge bibliography and detailed outline that make up the last third of it. Still, with 80 pages of text every typical introductory issue is addressed. Highlights include a well-done review of all the characters in the book. That will be a tremendous help to pastors and teachers. He’s a good writer too as I found no tedium in reading the Introduction and he is friendly to conservative views as he addresses every current in the river of scholarship on Samuel. Academic types will be impressed as well. Pastors can skip just a few sections and will still have everything they need.

The commentary proper is also excellent. It is very full. It is in this part that his other talent comes to light. Hoffner has such historical breadth and writes a commentary that probably not a lot of other people could.

I will say again that this is a huge commentary, but I will also say that it is worth the space it will take up on your shelf. I cannot think of another commentary on Samuel that compares to it. When Lexham took the necessary steps to bring this volume to us, they did us all a big favor. 

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.