The first book of Samuel tells the story of Israel's transition from a theocracy, or state ruled by a religious leader, to a monarchy, or state ruled by a series of kings.
#1 - TITLE
The books of Samuel are titled in the Hebrew Bible after the first major character in them.
The books of Samuel fall together naturally as a unit and originally constituted a single book. Together they cover the period of the transition from the judges through the establishments of kingship.
The two books of Samuel were originally one in the Hebrew text, but when it was translated into Greek. Thus the Septuagint and the English translations divide the book into two books.
Even though the division this introduces an artificial division into what is actually one continuous account.
However, the Septuagint combines the books of Samuel with the books of kings under the title “kingdoms” the Hebrews traditionally referred to these books as the books of Samuel in recognition of the significant role played by Samuel in establishment of the monarchy.
#2 - AUTHORSHIP
1Samuel
The author of the book of 1 Samuel is anonymous.
Jewish tradition claims that the prophet Samuel wrote the books that bear his name, while the prophets Gad and Nathan supplied supplementary information concerning the years following Samuel’s death.
2 Samuel
Like 1 Samuel, the author of the book of 2 Samuel is anonymous but was probably composed by an unnamed prophet who compiled written chronicles of prophets such as Nathan and Gad the seer (1 Chron. 29:29).
#3 - CONTENTS
1 Samuel
The 1 Samuel records the crucial transition from the theocracy under the judges to the monarchy under the kings.
The book is built around three key figures:
Samuel, the prophet and the last judge (Chs. 1-7),
Saul, the first king of Israel (Chs. 8-31)
David, anointed as king but not yet recognized as Saul’s successor (Chs. 16-31).
2 Samuel
The 2 Samuel records the highlights of David’s reign, first over the territory of Judah and finally over the entire nation of Israel.
It traces the ascension of David to the throne, his sins of adultery and murder and the shattering consequences of those sins upon the family and the nations.
#4 - MAJOR THEMES
The Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant was the most important religious artifact in Israel.
Built at Sinai under the supervision of Moses, it represents YHWH presence in their midst.
In most of the religions of the ANE, the idols of the deity were occupying the temple, whereas the ark was considered only the footstool of YHWH’s throne.
The Ark of the Covenant operates only at the initiative of the Lord. For example; when the time came, the Ark of the Covenant returned to Israel on a cart without a driver (1 Sam 6: 10-16).
The successful installation of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem at the beginning of David’s reign was not simply a ritual, but designated the Lord’s approval of the new era and his favour on David.
Kingship
From a biblical stand point, kingship over Israel was the prerogative of YHWH.
The function of the king was to maintain justice both in domestic sense in society and in an international sense by means of an effective military force.
In the judges period the Lord rose up and empowered individuals to accomplish this purpose. During Samuel’s day, kingship was viewed as a more permanent office that would eliminate the need to wait for the Lord to rise up a deliverer.
#5 - OUTLINE
1 SAMUEL
1 Sam. 1-7: The final days of the judges
1 Sam. 8-15: Saul’s Anointing and reign
1 Sam. 16-31: David’s Anointing and Saul’s decline
2 SAMUEL
2 Sam. 1-4: David’s early reign over Judah
2 Sam. 5-10: David’s successful reign over all Israel
2 Sam. 11-20: Moral and Political decline in David’s household
2 Sam. 21-24: Miscellaneous Additions