2 Corinthians
C.K. Barrett’s commentary in the Black’s Series (1973) is still the most outstanding treatment of this difficult epistle, both at the level of thoughtful exegesis and stimulation for preaching.
More recently, Ralph Martin has written an extensive commentary in the Word Series (1985), dealing quite precisely and carefully with many of the issues raised by contemporary scholarship. However, the general reader may get a little lost in this rather technical work and may find Martin too speculative at certain points.
The new Tyndale commentary (1987) by Colin Kruse of Ridley College, Melbourne, is helpful at the non-technical level and Philip Hughes, in the New International Series (1962) also provides a thoughtful approach at the more introductory level.
Paul Barnett’s contribution to the Bible Speaks Today Series is on the message of 2 Corinthians. It is due for publication later this year and should be a valuable commentary for the general reader. Don Carson has provided an exposition of the last four chapters of 2 Corinthians in a popular form in From Triumphalism to Maturity (IVP, 1986).
1 & 2 Samuel
The stories of Samuel, Saul and David found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel include many of the most familiar stories of the Old Testament. Their immense significance, however, is sometimes overlooked. The introduction of the monarchy into Israel is the main subject, and the chief importance of that to the Bible reader is that it is the basis of the Biblical idea of ‘Messiah’. Among the many concepts provided by the Old Testament for understanding the significance of Jesus, none is more prominent than this. What it means to call him ‘Christ’ (Greek for ‘Messiah’) has its roots in 1 and 2 Samuel.
The Word Biblical Commentary has published its volume on 1 Samuel by Ralph W. Klein (Word, 1983), but 2 Samuel is still to come. Klein’s work is scholarly, and provides a fairly detailed treatment of the text. It is not always easy, however, to see the wood for the mass of trees.
There is a quite massive commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel, in two large volumes, by P. Kyle McCarter, Jr. in the Anchor Bible series (Doubleday, 1980 and 1984). It is daunting in its size, but readable. Provided you can cope with a bit of confusion where new translations are proposed, unfamiliar to the RSV or NIV reader, the ‘Comment’ sections are clear and insightful, and give careful attention to the role of each passage in its context. These volumes are enhanced by twenty simple maps, which illuminate many episodes.
If those are too much (or too expensive), Robert P. Gordon’s 1 & 2 Samuel (Paternoster, 1986) is recommended. It is a relatively brief commentary. Be sure that you read the ‘Introduction’, where Gordon gives an excellent overview of the books.
