Precept Austin

1 Samuel 28 Resources

Updated: Mon, 08/07/2023 - 15:01 By admin
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1 SAMUEL 28 RESOURCES

Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission
1 Samuel Chart from Charles Swindoll

The Ryrie Study Bible


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Map on Left ESV Global Study Bible, on right Jensen's Survey of the OT
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Overlappings in 1 Samuel

First Three Kings of Israel

Copyright Faithlife / Logos Bible Software (https://www.logos.com).

Click to enlarge - from the Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover) 
copyright © 1998 B&H Publishing Group,
used by permission, all rights reserved.
This is one of the best resources for Bible maps. 
Please do not reproduce this map on any other webpage. Thank you.

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Explanation - The following list includes not only commentaries but other Christian works by well known evangelical writers. Most of the resources below are newer works (written after 1970) which previously were available only for purchase in book form or in a Bible computer program. The resources are made freely available by archive.org but have several caveats - (1) they do not allow copy and paste, (2) they can only be checked out for one hour (but can be checked out immediately when your hour expires giving you time to read or take notes on a lengthy section) and (3) they require creating an account which allows you to check out the books free of charge. To set up an account click archive.org and then click the picture of the person in right upper corner and enter email and a password. That's all you have to do. Then you can read these more modern resources free of charge! I have read or used many of these resources but not all of them so ultimately you will need to be a Berean (Acts 17:11+) as you use them. I have also selected works that are conservative and Biblically sound. If you find one that you think does not meet those criteria please send an email at https://www.preceptaustin.org/contact. The resources are listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name and some include reviews of the particular resource. 

David, a heart for God by Briscoe, D. Stuart 1 rating

Looking on the heart (Volume 2 - 1 Samuel 15-31) by Davis, Dale Ralph A Study of 1 Samuel (21-Part MP3 Series)

2 Kings : the power and the fury by Davis, Dale Ralph

Cyril Barber - Combines history and theology in his description of the events surrounding Israel's first two kings.

Preaching through the Bible : 1 Samuel by Eaton, Michael 

First and Second Samuel by Johnson, Frank,

1 and 2 Samuel : an introduction and commentary by Baldwin, Joyce

A concise, competent, clear evangelical work using various sources, elucidating most passages well and showing their theological and practical relevance then and now.

1 Samuel by Klein, Ralph - Word Biblical Commentary Series. This is a cumbersome commentary for routine use.

Cyril Barber - Based on the latest Redaktionsgeschichte, this exposition makes a valuable contribution but needs to be used with discernment. The bibliographies at the beginning of each chapter are of the utmost value. Comments on the text are technical, and because Klein feels the text is in poor shape, he relies heavily on the LXX and other critical commentaries. Seminarians and pastors will find Klein's translation helpful, his research impeccable; but his explanation of the theme of 1 Samuel is lacking. However, his overall treatment is one that deserves careful consideration.

Samuel -1 & 2 Samuel by Payne, David 8 ratings

The first book of Samuel by Ackroyd, Peter -   The second book of Samuel : commentary

James Rosscup - An attempt to meet general readers’ needs. The approach is mildly critical. Ackroyd has a clear writing style and often is of help on the reading of a given text, historical setting, customs and explanation of the passage. The work is cursory.

The first book of Samuel by Blaikie, William Garden, (See his book on 2 Samuel)

Cyril Barber - One of the finest devotional commentaries ever produced. First published in 1887 as part of The Expositor's Bible (see below)

Desiring God's own heart -1 & 2 Samuel/1 Chronicles by Arthur, Kay 52 ratings

1 & 2 Samuel : a self-study guide by Jensen, Irving

A NavPress Bible study on the book of 1 Samuel  55 ratings

The prophets of Israel  - Leon Wood - 405 pages (1979)  See user reviews. 

James Rosscup - A thoroughly conservative work, very clearly written, in two sections, prophetism and the prophets. Wood under the first division goes into the identity, meaning of “to prophesy,” function, the Holy Spirit and prophecy, and other aspects. In the second, he discusses in some detail prophets before Samuel, Samuel, monarchy prophets, and the writing prophets from the ninth century to post-exilic days. This is a fine book that gives the student or pastor a much better, integrated understanding of the prophets behind the prophetic books.

The Holman Illustrated Study Bible 120 ratings Includes the excellent Holman maps but otherwise of little help in serious study.

Disciple's Study Bible : New international version   54 ratings Not that helpful for verse by verse study.  Focuses on application of Christian doctrines. 10,000 annotations; doctrinal summaries, "Life Helps" section relate doctrine to everyday discipleship. 

New Bible Commentary - (1994) See user reviews 

The Experiencing God Study Bible : the Bible for knowing and doing the will of God - Blackaby, Henry (1996) 1968 pages - CHECK THIS ONE! Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." Then you will interesting symbols before many of the passages. The chapter ends with a "DID YOU NOTICE?" question. This might make a "dry chapter" jump off the page! Read some of the 48 ratings

The David Jeremiah study bible - (2013) 2208 pages. 2,272 ratings Logos.com - "Drawing on more than 40 years of study, Dr. David Jeremiah has compiled a legacy resource that will make an eternal impact on generations to come. 8,000 study notes. Hundreds of enriching word studies"50+ Essentials of the Christian Faith" articles."

Compact Bible commentary by Radmacher, Earl D; Allen, Ronald Barclay; House, H Wayne, et al - 954 pages.  424 ratings Multiple contributors to the comments which are often verse by verse. The comments are brief but meaty and can really help your study through a given book. A sleeper in my opinion. 

The Lion handbook to the Bible - (1999) 822 pages. This resource is absolutely loaded with very nice color pictures and charts.

NIV archaeological Study Bible (2005) 2360 pages 950 ratings (See also Archaeology and the Bible - OT and NT)

NIV cultural backgrounds study Bible. bringing to life the ancient world of scripture Keener, Craig and Walton, John. Editors (2017)

The NIV study Bible by Barker, Kenneth L; Burdick, Donald W (1995) 2250 pages. Note this is the first edition. Here is a link to the 2011 version of the NIV Study Bible Note that this resource has been fully revised in 2020.

The Ryrie study Bible - Charles Ryrie (1978) 2142 pages. Conservative.  216 ratings

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible - editor Walter Elwell (1989) 1239 pages. User reviews. 

Harper study Bible : the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version

The Jewish Study Bible - Only OT - Interesting Jewish perspective.

The student Bible : New International Version

Hebrew-Greek key word study Bible : New international version

Key word commentary : thoughts on every chapter of the Bible by Water, Mark

Eerdmans' family encyclopedia of the Bible (1978) 344 pages

Eerdmans' handbook to the Bible (1983) 688 pages 

Tyndale handbook of Bible charts & maps by Wilson, Neil  

Bible handbook and A-Z bible encyclopedia

International children's Bible field guide : answering kids' questions from Genesis to Revelation by Richards, Larry

The illustrated guide to Bible customs & curiosities by Knight, George W. (George William), 

Today's Handbook of Bible times & customs by Coleman, William L

The Shaw Pocket Bible handbook - Editor - Walter Elwell (1984) 408 pages.

"This hardback is small in size but packed full of content: Brief summaries of every book of the bible, cultural, archaeological and historical info, word definitions, pictures, maps and charts." Worth checking! 

The New Unger's Bible Dictionary by Unger, Merrill Frederick, 1909-

Survey of the Bible : introductory insights, background studies, book-by- book survey by Unger, Merrill Frederick

The Hodder Bible handbook by Unger, Merrill 

Nelson's expository dictionary of the Old Testament by Unger, Merrill 

Kregel Bible handbook : a full-color guide to every book of the Bible by Kerr, William 3 ratings

The new encyclopedia of Christian quotations by Water, Mark

Zondervan handbook to the Bible

Dictionary of deities and demons in the Bible (DDD) - 950 pages (1995) Read some of the 65 ratings (4.8/5 Stars). A definitive in depth resource on this subject. Very expensive to purchase. 

MORE COMMENTARIES
AND SERMONS

DON ANDERSON Verse by Verse Teaching Notes Life of David

  • David #7: 1 Samuel 26:1-28:2
  • David Lectures - Mp3's - Link to list of 24 lectures See below for Scriptures covered in each study

Don Anderson - David Teacher Notes - See above for Scriptures covered in each study

Don Anderson -  David Study Notes - over 700 pages of notes 

MICHAEL ANDRUS, et al - nice transcripts

PAUL APPLE 1 Samuel Commentary 189 page Pdf

ALBERT BARNES- Commentary

BELIEVER'S CHAPEL

BRIAN BELL - Sermons - often has very helpful insights

BENSON BIBLE COMMENTARY

ROBERT BERGEN - two resources that can be borrowed

James Rosscup on New American Commentary - The commentator is a professor at Hannibal-La Grange College, Hannibal, MO. He argues for the accurate, reliable, relevant Word of God. His excellent work reflects wide knowledge of biblical literature in the text and in footnotes. The writing flows with lucid vitality, and Bergen invests much from word study, grammar, customs, geographical details, etc. His appraisal of Eli is arresting (69), as are comments on Saul’s excuses of I Sam. 15 and David’s fight with Goliath. Bergen’s careful weighing of views about how Saul died ends with his harmonizing view that Saul fell on his sword (I Sam. 31), but in his final moments the Amalekite hastened his death (2 Sam. 1). This is a fine grappling with main details in the two books.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR

JIM BOMKAMP - Sermons

CAMBRIDGE BIBLE COMMENTARY

RICH CATHERS

KENNETH CHAFIN - BORROW

Rosscup says this is part of "A 12-vol. set done by 12 men selected for unusual ability to show the Bible is alive in biblical exposition, with spiritual refreshment and insight. The authors seek to combine scholarship on biblical meaning, illustrations to spark applications, and outlines." 

Cyril Barber - Pastoring a church with a good seminary library close by enabled Chafin to have access to the finest literary resources available. His treatment of the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David is helpful, even if it lacks depth that a thorough knowledge of human personality would enhance. In spite of this, preachers will find these chapters clearly outlined and their contents ably articulated.

ADAM CLARKE - Commentary

STEVEN COLE - SERMONS

THOMAS CONSTABLE - Expository Notes

RON DANIEL

DARBY BIBLE COMMENTARY

DALE RALPH DAVIS - colorful speaker, writer

JOHN JAMES DAVIS

WILLIAM JOHN DEANE (AND THOMAS KIRK) 

Cyril Barber “A pleasing exposition of the Biblical text.” – In this treatment of the lives of Samuel and Saul, Samuel is shown to possess an inner Godward orientation that motivated all he did. Saul is revealed as being motivated by external considerations. These two men-contemporaries for a time-explain for us the dynamics of success from God's perspective. In explaining 1 Samuel, Deane and Kirk provide the kind of practical application that will delight every devout Bible student. Recommended.

BOB DEFFINBAUGH - Sermons

DICTIONARIES

JOHN DUMMELOW - COMMENTARY

EASY ENGLISH - Commentary

CHARLES ELLICOTT

ESV STUDY BIBLE - BORROW

EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE Commentary - William Blaikie

D Edmond Hiebert - A practical, warm-hearted exposition by a conservative scholar. Although written during the nineteenth century, it is rich in its interpretative contents, as, for example, on chapter 15.

Cyril J. Barber - One of the finest devotional commentaries ever produced. 

Spurgeon on Blaikie's related life of David: "Dr. Blaikie is a good writer. This Life of David has supplied a great lack." (Lectures to my Students, Vol. 4: Commenting and Commentaries)

EXPOSITOR'S DICTIONARY OF TEXTS

A C GAEBELEIN Annotated Bible

GENE GETZ - short videos emphasizing application

JOHN GILL - Commentary

R P GORDON - BORROW 

James Rosscup - This generally highly-regarded work offers much assistance verse by verse, using the RSV. The author comments a lot on the Hebrew text as to exegesis, word study, dealing with problems, etc.

GOSPEL COALITION

GOTQUESTIONS

L M GRANT - Commentary

J D GREEAR - Sermon notes

DAVE GUZIK - Commentary

ROBERT HAWKER - Poor Man's Commentary

MATTHEW HENRY - Commentary

DAVID HOCKING - 62 page study "Learning to Trust God" in 1 Samuel (outline format)

F B HOLE - Commentary

HOLMAN PUBLISHING -  BORROW - Editor Jeremy Royal Howard  

HOMILETICS

INTERNATIONAL CRITICAL COMMENTARY A Critical & Exegetical Commentary Henry P Smith (1904)

JAMIESON, FAUSSET, BROWN - Commentary

S. LEWIS JOHNSON Lessons from the Life of David Recommended 

KEIL AND DELITZSCH 1 Samuel Commentary

JOHN KITTO - PICTORIAL BIBLE WITH NOTES

Spurgeon's Comments: "Then, of course, gentlemen, you will economize rigidly until you have accumulated funds to purchase Kitto’s Pictorial Bible. You mean to take that goodly freight on board before you launch upon the sea of married life. As you cannot visit the Holy Land, it is well for you that there is a work like the Pictorial Bible, in which the notes of the most observant travellers are arranged under the texts which they illustrate. For the geography, zoology, botany, and manners and customs of Palestine, this will be your counselor and guide....A work of art as well as learning."

JOHN KITTO - DAILY BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS

Spurgeon comments: "Exceeding meritorious. Refer to it frequently....They are not exactly a commentary, but what marvelous expositions you have there! You have reading more interesting than any novel that was ever written, and as instructive as the heaviest theology. The matter is quite attractive and fascinating, and yet so weighty, that the man who shall study these volumes thoroughly, will not fail to read his Bible intelligently and with growing interest."

​​​​​KJV BIBLE PARALLEL BIBLE COMMENTARY - Edward Dobson, Charles Feinberg, E. Hindson, W. Kroll - NO RESTRICTIONS ON USE

Well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective.  User reviews - 372 ratings - I have found the comments are very good but generally not in great depth. It is worth checking as you may glean additional insights on a passage. It is not strictly speaking verse by verse but does cover many verses. 

KJV STUDY BIBLE - General Editor - Edward Hindson - NO RESTRICTIONS ON USE

PAUL E. KRETZMANN - Lutheran Perspective

LANGE'S COMMENTARY - J J VAN OOSTERZEE - Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 

Spurgeon writes "Oosterzee in Lange is excellent."

D Edmond Hiebert - In keeping with the series to which it belongs, the massive material is presented in three parts: exegetical and critical, doctrinal and ethical, and homiletical and practical. Conservative in viewpoint. Valuable for those willing to dig into its vast stores of material, much of which is definitely dated.

CARL LANEY - BORROW - Everyman's Bible Commentary

James Rosscup - Laney, an assistant professor of Biblical literature at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary and more widely known for his volume The Divorce Myth, traces the lives of Samuel, Saul and David. This 1982 update for Moody Press’s Everyman’s Bible Commentary Series is a surprisingly resourceful paperback. Laney argues tersely for a 722 B. C. date for the Fall of Samaria. Thus, he prefers a time of writing for I & II Samuel sometime during or immediately following David’s lifetime. He dates the dividing of the kingdom as 931 B. C. Regarding textual matters, Laney does not overlook the lacuna of I Samuel 13:1 as he states that great benefit can be gleaned from the LXX in a study of these two books. One interesting sidelight is his citation of the “dynastic defense” motif evident in I Samuel 15 and II Samuel 8, a setting apparently not unlike 13th Century Hittite tradition. Laney’s discussion of God’s will in I Samuel 8:21, 22 is quite helpful. In I Samuel 28 the treatment of the Witch of Endor is thorough. He concludes that God caused Samuel himself to appear. In II Samuel 7, Laney sheds light on the covenant by picturing its threefold nature. Laney’s maps and graphics are well-placed and worthwhile. His treatment in 2 Samuel 24 of the two-sided nature of David numbering God’s people is also worthy of attention. This is a well researched and supported volume. There are few volumes on I and II Samuel which could rightly claim to be more helpful on expositional matters.—Jan Sattem

LIFE APPLICATION BIBLE - BORROW

JOHN LIGHTFOOT - Commentary

JOHN MACARTHUR- verse by verse - probably the best expositor in the last 100 years -- very literal and conservative

WILLIAM MACDONALD - BORROW

John MacArthur - "Concise yet comprehensive - the most complete single-volume commentary I have seen."

Warren Wiersbe - "For the student who is serious about seeing Christ in the Word." 

  • Believer's Bible Commentary - This resource is always worth checking. commentary on whole Bible. Often has pithy, practical and devotional comments.

ALEXANDER MACLAREN - sermons with a devotional bent

MAPS

ROD MATTOON 1 SAMUEL COMMENTARY

  • 1 Samuel Commentary - RECOMMENDED - 616 pages - Go to page for list of multiple illustrations on page 596

J VERNON MCGEE - Thru the Bible comments - often has pithy comments

EUGENE MERRILL - unfortunately some of margins slightly cut off but overall still usable.

James Rosscup - Professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary surveys both books with conservative expertise, dealing with Hebrew meaning, problems, customs, etc. He has a high view of inspiration and a good use of literature relevant in the area.

F B MEYER - Devotional

HENRY MORRIS - Defender's Study Bible Notes - well-known creationist. Conservative. Millennial. 

TOMMY NELSON - all are mp3's but he is always pithy and poignant

WILLIAM NEWELL

PHIL NEWTON Sermons South Woods Baptist Church

NET BIBLE NOTES  - somewhat technical but you can find some practical "nuggets" 

JAMES NISBET'S - Church Pulpit Commentary

NIV STUDY BIBLE - BORROW - notes are brief but helpful.

  • Zondervan NIV Study Bible - (2011) 2570 pages - use the new edition if available.
  • The NIV Study Bible by Barker, Kenneth L; Burdick, Donald W (1995) 2250 pages. Note this is the first edition. This resource has been fully revised in 2020. 

NKJV STUDY BIBLE - no restriction for use - Earl Radmacher, Ronald Allen, H. Wayne House

  • NKJV Study Bible - 2345 pages. Allows copy/paste - notes are brief but conservative and well-done

OUR DAILY BREAD

JOSEPH PARKER

DAVID F PAYNE 

PENINSULA BIBLE CHURCH

PETER PETT - Commentary

ARTHUR PINK

MATTHEW POOLE - Commentary

PREACHER'S HOMILETICAL - Commentary - Includes Germ Notes, Illustrations, Homilies

RAY PRITCHARD Sermons on 1 Samuel - he is always worth checking for "pearls!"

PULPIT COMMENTARY 

ALAN REDPATH - excellent insights and application based on his expository studies

REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE - study notes

ROBERT ROE - Sermons Peninsula Bible Church

ROB SALVATO - Sermons

RAYMOND SAXE 

JOHN SCHULTZ - 150 page commentary - Well done

SERMONAUDIO - PDF's of sermons - Be aware there might be some variation in quality so be a Berean! 

SERMON BIBLE COMMENTARY

CHARLES SIMEON - Sermons

CHUCK SMITH - Sermon Notes

JAMES SMITH - rich teachings which includes many related cross references

JOHN STEVENSON - Sermons

CHUCK SWINDOLL

THIRD MILLENNIUM STUDY NOTES​​​​

DAVID THOMPSON - sermons - average about 6 pages, verse by verse exposition. Literal. Conservative. (Audios are available but only pdf's are listed)

TODAY IN THE WORD - devotionals

DAVID TSUMURA - BORROW - New International Commentary on the Old Testament  

Mathison (Ligonier) - The best intermediate-advanced-level commentary on the first book of Samuel is now the commentary by David Tsumura in the NICOT series. It is very well written and very thorough. Tsumura’s expertise in the languages of the ancient Near East is evident throughout.

JOHN TRAPP - Commentary

BOB UTLEY 1 Samuel Commentary - brief notes but offers interesting insights including Hebrew words with frequent topic addendums

HOWARD VOS - BORROW

James Rosscup - Vos was Professor of History and Archaeology, King’s College, Briarcliff Manor, New York, In this conservative work he gives a long outline at the outset, then incorporates this in his survey of I and 2 Samuel. For many Bible teachers, preachers, and lay people the exposition helpfully sums up what is said and some implications. It offers brief explanation of some main problems, such as the number judged at Beth Shemesh in I Samuel 6:19ff. and how to fill in the number of Saul’s years in 13:1.

DANIEL WHEDON 1 Samuel Commentary

WARREN WIERSBE -  BORROW - Always worth checking for preaching/teaching points.

Rosscup - One of America’s most appreciated staunchly evangelical Bible conference teachers gives diligent, refreshing expositions. These are all of his 23 separate, earlier books in the “Be” series on the New Testament. He strikes a particular appeal with lay people as he crystallizes sections, deals with some of the verses, handles certain problems and backgrounds and applies principles. He is premillennial.

JOHN WHITCOMB AND JOHN J. DAVIS  - Borrow - well done chapter summaries

WYCLIFFE BIBLE COMMENTARY - BORROW

  • Wycliffe Bible Commentary - OT and NT - Charles Pfeiffer - 1560 pages (1962). Less detailed than the KJV Bible Commentary. 

SERMONS BY VERSE - Older expositions
 

Darkening. Shadows of Retribution B. Dale 1 Samuel 28:1-6
Night Preceding Battle H. E. Stone. 1 Samuel 28:1-25
A Silent God Dean Farrar. 1 Samuel 28:6
Communications Threatened Christian Endeavour Times 1 Samuel 28:6
God's Silence A. F. Muir, M. A. 1 Samuel 28:6
Resorting to Superstitious Practices B. Dale 1 Samuel 28:7-10
Lessons from the Incident At Endor J. A. Miller. 1 Samuel 28:7-25
Saul and the Witch of Endor A. Hovey, D. D. 1 Samuel 28:7-25
Saul and the Witch of Endor R. Bickersteth, D. D. 1 Samuel 28:7-25
Saul At Endor J. Parker, D. D. 1 Samuel 28:7-25
Spiritualism a Folly J. Robertson. 1 Samuel 28:7-25
The Religion of Ghosts T. De Witt Talmage, D. D. 1 Samuel 28:7-25
The Witch of Endor J. Legge, M. A. 1 Samuel 28:7-25
Samuel After Death R. Steel. 1 Samuel 28:11
Samuel's Counsel Vainly Desired B. Dale 1 Samuel 28:11
Saul in the Cave At Endor Homilist 1 Samuel 28:11
Without God, Without Hope B. J. Snell, M. A. 1 Samuel 28:11
A God-Forsaken Man D. Fraser 1 Samuel 28:11-15
The Sentence of Rejection Confirmed B. Dale 1 Samuel 28:12-20
The Appearance of Samuel P. Richardson, B. A. 1 Samuel 28:14
The Appearance of Samuel to Saul At Endor D. Waterland, D. D. 1 Samuel 28:14
Abandoned of God James Forfar. 1 Samuel 28:15
Humanity Consciously Deserted of God Homilist 1 Samuel 28:15
Reprobation Bishop Wilberforce. 1 Samuel 28:15
Saul God Forsaken B. Leach. 1 Samuel 28:15
Without God in the World J. M. Sherwood, D. D. 1 Samuel 28:15
The Witch of Endor B. Dale 1 Samuel 28:20-25

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