Book excerpt: Bible study notes and commentary on the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Emphasizes understanding the text with practical applications. Intended to be helpful to all Christians, including teachers and preachers, while avoiding an emphasis on technical issues. Written from the conservative viewpoint of faith in the Bible as the absolute, inerrant, verbally inspired word of God. Comments include discussion of these topics: * Lives of Samuel, David, and Saul * End of the period of Judges * Beginning of the United Kingdom in Israel * David's defeat of Goliath * Reign of David * David's sin with Bathsheeba and its consequences