The attempt to identify the structure of the books of Samuel is one of the most vexing topics in past and present research. The problem is common to both synchronic and diachronic methods. Diachronic methods usually divide the books into smaller blocks assuming different levels of redaction. Synchronic methods assume that the books of Samuel is a work of art, unified in its content, messages and characterization. Common to these methods is the great diversity of opinions with regard to its structure. This article provides both a survey and a critique of modern commentaries on Samuel, as well as specific studies dealing with the structure of Samuel. It surveys the matter from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present.
AlterR.1999The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel (New York: W. W. Norton).
2.
ArnoldB.T.20031 & 2 Samuel (The NIV Application Commentary; Grand Rapids: Zondervan).
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ArnoldB.T.2005 ‘Samuel, Books of’, in ArnoldB.T.WilliamsonH.G.M. (eds.), Dictionary of the Old Testament Historical Books (Downers Grove: InterVarsity) 866–77.
4.
AuldA.G.2011I & II Samuel (OTL; Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press).
5.
AviozM.2005Nathan’s Oracle (2 Samuel 7) and Its Interpreters (Bern: Peter Lang).
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Bar-EfratSh. 1980 ‘Some Observations on the Analysis of Structure in Biblical Narrative’, VT30: 154-73.
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Bar-EfratSh1996I and II Samuel (Miqra le-Yisrael; Jerusalem: Magnes) (Hebrew).
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Bar-EfratSh2007Das erste Buch Samuel: Ein narratologisch-philologischer Kommentar (trans. KleinJ.; BWANT, 176; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer).
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Bar-EfratSh2009Das Zweite Buch Samuel: Ein narratologisch-philologischer Kommentar (trans. KleinJ.; BWANT, 181; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer).
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BaziomoR.2015La Famille de Saül dans le conflit Saül versus David: Étude de la construction narrative des personnages de Jonathan, Mérav et Mikal (FAT, II.78; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck).
11.
BergenR.D.19961, 2 Samuel (NAC, 7; Nashville: Broadman and Holman).
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BirchB.C.1976The Rise of the Israelite Monarchy: The Growth and Development of 1 Samuel 7–15 (SBLDS, 27; Missoula: Scholars Press).
13.
BirchB.C.1998 ‘The First and Second Books of Samuel: Introduction, Commentary and Reflections’, in The New Interpreter’s Bible, vol. 2 (12 vols.; Nashville: Abingdon) 947-1383.
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BlenkinsoppJ.2013 ‘Another Contribution to the Succession Narrative Debate (2 Samuel 11–20; 1 Kings 1–2)’, JSOT38: 35-58.
15.
BodnerK.2006 ‘Ark-Eology: Shifting Emphases in “Ark Narrative” Scholarship’, CBR4: 169-97.
BrettlerM.Z.2002The Book of Judges (Old Testament Readings; New York: Routledge).
18.
BrueggemannW.1990First and Second Samuel (Interpretation; Louisville: John Knox).
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BuddeK.1902Die Bücher Samuel (KHCAT, 8; Tübingen and Leipzig: Mohr).
20.
ButterworthM.1992Structure and the Book of Zechariah (JSOTSup, 130; Sheffield: JSOT).
21.
CampbellA.F.1997 ‘Structure Analysis and the Art of Exegesis (1 Samuel 16:14–18:30)’, in SunT.C.et al. (eds.), Problems in Biblical Theology: Essays in Honor of Rolf Knierim (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans) 76-103.
22.
CampbellA.F.20031 Samuel (FOTL, 7; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
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CampbellA.F.20052 Samuel (FOTL 8; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
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CaquotA.de RobertP.1994Les livres de Samuel (CAT, 6; Geneva: Labor et Fides).
ChristensenD.L.2003The Unity of the Bible: Exploring the Beauty and Structure of the Bible (New York: Paulist).
27.
ConroyC.1978Absalom Absalom! Narrative and Language in 2 Sam 13–20 (AnBib, 81; Rome: Biblical Institute Press).
28.
CzövekT.2006Three Seasons of Charismatic Leadership: A Literary-Critical and Theological Interpretation of the Narrative of Saul, David and Solomon (Bletchley: Paternoster).
29.
DeSilvaD.A.2008 ‘X Marks the Spot?: A Critique of the Use of Chiasmus in Macro-Structural Analyses of Revelation’, JSNT30: 343-71.
30.
DietrichW.2012Die Samuelbücher im deuteronomistischen Geschichtswerk. Studien zu den Geschichtsüberlieferungen des Alten Testaments II (BWANT, 201; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer).
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DietrichW.2014 ‘Die Samuelbücher’, in DietrichW.et al. (eds.), Die Entstehung des Alten Testaments (Theologische Wissenschaft, 1; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer) 232-59.
DietrichW.NaumannT.2000 ‘The David-Saul Narrative’, in KnoppersG.N.McConvilleJ.G. (eds.), Reconsidering Israel and Judah: Recent Studies on the Deuteronomistic History (Sources for Biblical and Theological Study, 8; Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns) 276-318.
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DorseyD.A.1999The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi (Grand Rapids: Baker).
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EdenburgC.PakkalaJ. (eds.) 2013Is Samuel Among the Deuteronomists? Current Views on the Place of Samuel in a Deuteronomistic History (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature).
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EslingerL.1985Kingship of God in Crisis: A Close Reading of 1 Samuel 1–12 (JSOTSup, 39; Sheffield: JSOT).
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FinlayT.D.2005The Birth Report Genre in the Hebrew Bible (FAT, II.12; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck).
38.
FirthD.G.2002 ‘Shining the Lamp: The Rhetoric of 2 Samuel 5–24’, TynBul52: 209–20.
39.
FirthD.G.2005 ‘“Play it Again, Sam”: The Poetics of Narrative Repetition in 1 Samuel 1–7’, TynBul56: 1-17.
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FirthD.G.2007 ‘The Accession Narrative (1 Samuel 27–2 Samuel 1)’, TynBul58: 61-81.
41.
FirthD.G.20091 & 2 Samuel (AOTC; Nottingham: Apollos).
42.
FirthD.G.20131 and 2 Samuel: A Kingdom Comes (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix).
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FlanaganJ.W.1972 ‘Court History or Succession Document? A Study of 2 Samuel 9–20 and 1 Kings 1–2’, JBL91: 172-81.
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FokkelmanJ.P.1981Narrative Art and Poetry in the Books of Samuel: A Full Interpretation Based on Stylistic and Structural Analysis, Vol. 1 (Assen: van Gorcum).
45.
FokkelmanJ.P.1986Narrative Art and Poetry in the Books of Samuel: A Full Interpretation Based on Stylistic and Structural Analyses. Volume II: The Crossing Fates (I Sam. 13–31 & II Sam. 1) (Assen: van Gorcum).
46.
FokkelmanJ.P.1990Narrative Art and Poetry in the Books of Samuel: A Full Interpretation Based on Stylistic and Structural Analyses. Volume III: Throne and City (II Sam. 2–8 & 21–24) (Assen: van Gorcum).
47.
FokkelmanJ.P.1993Narrative Art and Poetry in the Books of Samuel: A Full Interpretation Based on Stylistic and Structural Analyses. Volume IV: Vow and Desire (I Sam. 1–12) (Assen: van Gorcum).
48.
FrolovS.2002 ‘Succession Narrative: A “Document” or a Phantom?’, JBL121: 81-104.
49.
FrolovS.2004The Turn of the Cycle: 1 Samuel 1–8 in Synchronic and Diachronic Perspectives (BZAW, 342; Berlin: de Gruyter).
50.
FrolovS.2013Judges (FOTL, 6B; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
51.
GarsielM.1975The Kingdom of David: Studies in History and Inquiries in Historiography (Hebrew; Tel-Aviv: Don Publishing House).
52.
GarsielM.1985The First Book of Samuel: A Literary Study of Comparative Structures, Analogies and Parallels (Ramat-Gan: Revivim).
53.
GordonR.P.19841 & 2 Samuel (Old Testament Guides; Sheffield: JSOT).
54.
GordonR.P.19861 and 2 Samuel: A Commentary (Exeter: Paternoster).
55.
GunnD.M.1978The Story of King David: Genre and Interpretation (JSOTSup, 6; Sheffield: University of Sheffield Press).
56.
HancockR.S.2011 ‘1 and 2 Samuel’, in CooganM.D. (ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible (Oxford: Oxford University Press) 287-305.
57.
HaysJ.D.2003 ‘Has the Narrator Come to Praise Solomon or to Bury Him?: Narrative Subtlety in 1 Kings 1–11’, JSOT28: 149-74.
58.
HertzbergH.W.1964I & II Samuel (trans. BowdenJ.S.; OTL; London: SCM).
59.
HumphreysW.L.1978 ‘The Tragedy of King Saul: A Study of the Structure of 1 Samuel 9–31’, JSOT6: 18-27.
60.
HuttonJ.M.2009Transjordanian Palimpsest: The Overwritten Texts of Personal Exile and Transformation in the Deuteronomistic History (BZAW, 396; Berlin: de Gruyter).
61.
HutzliJ.2010 ‘The Literary Relationship between I-II Samuel and I-II Kings: Considerations Concerning the Formation of the Two Books’, ZAW122: 505-19.
62.
IshidaT.1977The Royal Dynasties in Ancient Israel: A Study on the Formation and Development of Royal-Dynastic Ideology (BZAW, 142; Berlin: de Gruyter).
63.
IshidaT.19981 Samuel (Berit Olam; Collegeville, MN: Liturgical).
64.
KangJ.J.2003The Persuasive Portrayal of Solomon in 1 Kings 1–11 (Bern: Peter Lang).
65.
KeysG.1996The Wages of Sin: A Reappraisal of the ‘Succession Narrative’ (JSOTSup, 221; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press).
KlementH.H.1995 ‘2 Samuel 21–24: Structure, Context and Meaning in the Samuel Conclusion’ (PhD thesis; University of Coventry/Wycliffe Hall, Oxford).
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KlementH.H.2000II Samuel 21–24: Context, Structure and Meaning in the Samuel Conclusion (Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang).
70.
KnappA.2015Royal Apologetic in the Ancient Near East (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature).
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KnierimR.1968 ‘The Messianic Concept in the First Book of Samuel’, in TrotterF. Thomas (ed.), Jesus and the Historian: Written in Honor of Ernest Cadman Colwell (Philadelphia: Westminster) 20-51.
72.
MauchlineJ.19711 and 2 Samuel (NCBC; London: Oliphants).
73.
MayfieldT.D.2010Literary Structure and Setting in Ezekiel (FAT, II.43; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck).
74.
McCarterP.K.19801 Samuel: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (AB, 8; Garden City, NY: Doubleday).
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McCarterP.K.1984II Samuel: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (AB, 9; Garden City, NY: Doubleday).
76.
MillerP.D.RobertsJ.J.M.1977The Hand of the Lord: A Reassessment of the ‘Ark Narrative’ of 1 Samuel (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press; repr., Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2008).
77.
MiscallP.D.19861 Samuel: A Literary Reading (Bloomington: Indiana University Press).
78.
MobleyG.2006Samson and the Liminal Hero in the Ancient Near East (LHBOTS, 453; New York and London: T&T Clark).
79.
MorrisonC.20132 Samuel (Berit Olam: Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry; Collegeville, MN: Liturgical).
80.
NothM.1943Überlieferungsgeschichtliche Studien: Die sammelnden und bearbeitenden Geschichtswerke im Alten Testament (Tubingen: Niemeyer). Partial English translation: Deuteronomistic History (JSOTSup, 15; Sheffield: JSOT, 1981).
81.
OverlandP.B.2008 ‘Chiasm’, in LongmanT.IIIEnnsP. (eds.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity) 54-57.
82.
PetersonE.H.1999First and Second Samuel (Westminster Bible Companion; Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox).
83.
PolzinR.1993Samuel and the Deuteronomist: A Literary Study of the Deuteronomic History (Bloomington: Indiana University Press).
84.
PorterJ.R.2001 ‘Review ofSecond Samuel 21–24: Context, Structure and Meaning in the Samuel Conclusion’, JSOT94: 67.
85.
PuryA. deRömerT. (eds.)2000Die sogenannte Thronfolgegeschichte Davids: Neue Einsichten und Anfragen (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht).
86.
RaddayY.T.1964 ‘On Chiasm in the Biblical Narrative’, Beth Mikra9: 48-72 (Hebrew).
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RaddayY.T.1973 ‘Chiasm in Samuel’, LB 9-10/3: 21-31.
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RaddayY.T.1981 ‘Chiasmus in Biblical Hebrew Narrative’, in Welch (ed.) 1981: 78-80.
89.
RezetkoR.2007Source and Revision in the Narratives of David’s Transfer of the Ark: Text, Language, and Story in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13, 15–16 (LHBOTS, 470; New York: T&T Clark).
90.
RoféA.1991 ‘Ephraimitic versus Deuteronomistic History’, in GarroneD.IsraelF. (eds.), Storia e tradizioni di Israele: Scritti in onore di J. Alberto Soggin (Brescia: Paideia) 221-35.
91.
RostL.1926Die Überlieferung von der Thronnachfolge Davids (BWANT, 42; Stuttgart: Kohlhammer). English translation: Succession to the Throne of David (trans. RutterM.D.GunnD.M.; HTIBS, 1; Sheffield: Almond, 1982).
92.
SassonJ.2004 ‘The Eyes of Eli: An Essay in Motif Accretion’, in StulmanL.KaltnerJ. (eds.), Inspired Speech: Prophecy in the Ancient Near East. Essays in Honor of Herbert B. Huffmon (JSOTSup, 378; London: Continuum) 171-90.
93.
SeilerS.1998Die Geschichte von der Thronfolge Davids (2 Sam 9–20; 1 Kön 1–2): Untersuchungen zur Literarkritik und Tendenz (BZAW, 267; Berlin: de Gruyter).
94.
SimonL.2000Identity and Identification: An Exegetical and Theological Study of 2 Sam 21–24 (Rome: Editrice Pontificia Università Gregoriana).
95.
SimonU.1997Reading Prophetic Narratives (trans. SchrammL.J.; Bloomington: Indiana University Press).
96.
SmithH.P.1904A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Books of Samuel (ICC; New York: Scribner’s).
97.
SmithJ.E.20001 & 2 Samuel (The College Press NIV Commentary; Joplin, MO: College Press).
98.
SmithR.G.2009The Fate of Justice and Righteousness During David’s Reign: Narrative Ethics and Rereading the Court History According to 2 Samuel 8:15–20:26 (LHBOTS, 508; New York: T&T Clark).
99.
StoebeH.J.1973Das erste Buch Samuelis (KAT, 8/1; Gütersloh: Gerd Mohn).
100.
StoebeH.J.1994Das zweite Buch Samuelis (KAT, VIII.2; Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus).
101.
SweeneyM.A.1995 ‘Formation and Form in Prophetic Literature’, in MaysJ.L.PetersenD.L.RichardsK.H. (eds.), Old Testament Interpretation: Past, Present, and Future (Nashville: Abingdon Press) 113-26.
102.
TsumuraD.T.2007The First Book of Samuel (NICOT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
103.
VermeylenJ.2013 ‘The Book of Samuel within the Deuteronomistic History’, in EdenburgPakkala (eds.) 2013: 67-92.
104.
WansbroughH.2004 ‘The Finale of the Davidic Succession Narrative?’, in McCarthyC.HealeyJ.F. (eds.), Biblical and Near Eastern Essays: Studies in Honour of Kevin J. Cathcart (JSOTSup, 375; London: Continuum) 37-56.
105.
WelchJ.W. (ed.)1981Chiasmus in Antiquity: Structures, Analyses, Exegesis (Hildesheim: Gerstenberg).
106.
WéninA.1988Samuel et l’instauration de la monarchie (1 S 1-12). Une recherche littéraire sur le personnage (Bern: Peter Lang).
107.
WillisJ.T.1971 ‘An Anti-Elide Narrative Tradition from a Prophetic Circle at the Ramah Sanctuary’, JBL90: 288-308.
108.
WillisJ.T.1979 ‘Samuel versus Eli, I Sam. 1-7’, TZ35: 201-12.
109.
WrightD.2004 ‘The Fallacies of Chiasmus: A Critique of Structures Proposed for the Covenant Collection (Exodus 20:23–23:19)’, ZABR10: 143-68.
110.
YoonSung-Hee2014The Question of the Beginning and the Ending of the So-called History of David’s Rise: A Methodological Reflection and Its Implications (BZAW, 462; Berlin and Boston: de Gruyter).
111.
YoungbloodR.19921, 2 Samuel (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary; Grand Rapids: Zondervan; 2nd edn2009).
