KOOWON KIM holds a PhD in Old Testament and the Ancient Near East from the University of Chicago, Illinois, USA, and a MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He has been training pastors at Reformed Graduate University, Seoul, South Korea, since 2008. He has previously authored or co-authored theological monographs with Brill and SBL Press and contributed to various reference works published by Baker Books, InterVarsity Press and Lexham Press.

1 Samuel is full of riveting narratives related to the beginning of dynastic monarchy in ancient Israel. These narratives provide not only the spiritual wisdom about our relationship with the Lord, but also insights into the outworking of political power. Throughout this commentary, Dr Koowon Kim introduces the reader to relevant aspects of the Chinese historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which has been so influential in forming the worldview of people in much of East Asia since the fourteenth century. Both theologically and historically informed, this commentary will help those from cultures heavily influenced by the story to understand the biblical narrative of 1 Samuel, as well as inform those interested in East Asian culture of commonly held beliefs regarding what constitutes a good ruler.The Asia Bible Commentary series empowers Christian believers in Asia to read the Bible from within their respective contexts. Holistic in its approach to the text, each exposition of the biblical books combines exegesis and application. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Body of Christ in Asia by providing pastoral and contextual exposition of every book of the Bible.