In this companion volume to his work on 1 Samuel, P. Kyle McCarter Jr. completes his in-depth study of the Book of Samuel. Building on his earlier introduction and commentary, McCarter continues to explore the literary and textual sources behind the narrative and offers a careful reconstruction of the historical events that shaped it.

A central focus of this volume is understanding how and why Samuel was composed. Engaging with major scholarly perspectives, McCarter presents his own view of the book’s development and transmission. His translation, based on the most up-to-date textual evidence—including fragments from Qumran—helps untangle the complex history of the text.

A respected scholar and professor at Johns Hopkins University, McCarter brings decades of expertise in biblical and Near Eastern studies to this detailed and thoughtful commentary.