1 SAMUEL
CONTENT: The Israelites are insisting on a king like the pagan nations have; they no longer want God’s placement of a judge over them. 1 Samuel is the story of Israel’s last judge and first prophet (Samuel), her first king (Saul), and the early years of her anointed king elect (David). Saul lacks a heart for God, so God rejects him as king. Young David then enters the picture by slaying Goliath with a sling and a stone (chapter 17) and developing a strong friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan (chapter 18). God selects David to replace Saul as king, but David has to flee to the desert to escape Saul’s raging jealousy. David lives in exile until Saul and his sons die in battle at Mount Gilboa. The stage is now set for the golden age with David reigning as king of Israel.
BACKGROUND: 1 Samuel is a continuation of the story in the book of Judges. It begins late in the turbulent time of the judges, when Eli is the judge-priest and Israel is being oppressed by the Philistines. 1 and 2 Samuel consist of one book in the Hebrew Bible since they cover the continuous story of their 3 main characters: Samuel, Saul and David.
DATE WRITTEN: Probably between 1050 and 931 B.C. However, the book was not put into its final form until some years later, possibly between 930 and 722 B.C.
AUTHOR: Unknown (possibly Samuel, with excerpts from the memoirs of Gad and Nathan).
CONTENT: The Israelites are insisting on a king like the pagan nations have; they no longer want God’s placement of a judge over them. 1 Samuel is the story of Israel’s last judge and first prophet (Samuel), her first king (Saul), and the early years of her anointed king elect (David). Saul lacks a heart for God, so God rejects him as king. Young David then enters the picture by slaying Goliath with a sling and a stone (chapter 17) and developing a strong friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan (chapter 18). God selects David to replace Saul as king, but David has to flee to the desert to escape Saul’s raging jealousy. David lives in exile until Saul and his sons die in battle at Mount Gilboa. The stage is now set for the golden age with David reigning as king of Israel.
BACKGROUND: 1 Samuel is a continuation of the story in the book of Judges. It begins late in the turbulent time of the judges, when Eli is the judge-priest and Israel is being oppressed by the Philistines. 1 and 2 Samuel consist of one book in the Hebrew Bible since they cover the continuous story of their 3 main characters: Samuel, Saul and David.
DATE WRITTEN: Probably between 1050 and 931 B.C. However, the book was not put into its final form until some years later, possibly between 930 and 722 B.C.
AUTHOR: Unknown (possibly Samuel, with excerpts from the memoirs of Gad and Nathan).
