Interpreted masterfully by pre-eminent Old Testament scholar Johanna W. H. van Wijk-Bos, the story of Samuel touches on a vast array of subjects that comprise the rich fabric of human life. As it happens, in this volume we view ancient Israel in the era of Samuel, Saul and David. From parental yearning for their young to spousal and sibling relationships, these accounts entail far more than simply a recounting of the central characters lives and circumstances. The reader gains an inside look at royal intrigue, military campaigns, occult practices and the significance of religious objects of veneration. The "Reading the Old Testament" series will feature 19 volumes of innovative insights by leading biblical scholars. This literary and theological commentary presents cutting-edge research in accessible language that is both coherent and comprehensive.