In this commentary, Dr. Klein uses the tools and techniques of historical criticism to interpret the final, deuteronomistic form of the book of Samuel. For each pericope, he supplies a bibliography, a fresh translation, and extensive text-critical notes. Because of the complex charater of the Masoretic Text, Dr. Klein gives extensive space to text-critical questions. Yet, readers with no dvanced skills in Hebrew or interest in textual criticism may pass over the Notes and fully understand the rest of the commentary. Dr. Klein has chosen a historical reading as the best way to describe what 1 Samuel meant to its original audience. He has also taken care to appreciate the aestheic qualities of the text and to read it as a whole, the way in which those who first read or heard 1 Samuel understood it.
