Some of the most memorable accounts from Israel’s history are found in the book of Samuel: Hannah’s prayer for a son, God calling to the boy Samuel at night in the tabernacle, the capture of the ark of the covenant and the death of Eli, the ark causing disease and panic in Philistia, Saul seeking to pin David to the wall of his palace with his spear, David and Goliath, and David and Bathsheba. These incidents are told with skill, allowing readers to feel the tension,