Introduction to 1st and 2nd Samuel
Names used for the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel.
The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel take their names from the Prophet Samuel, who is the first important character in the first book, because of the role he played in Israel’s transition to a monarchy (Not the author of the books.)
Samuel was a prophet, priest, the last of the judges, and an anointer of kings.
The events described in 1 and 2 Samuel center about the lives of three important figures—Samuel, Saul, and David.
The earliest Hebrew manuscripts made no division between the two books.
First and second Samuel were considered as one book in the earliest Hebrew manuscripts.
They simply entitled the whole collection “Samuel.”
They were later divided into two books by the translators of the Greek version, the Septuagint (LXX). The Septuagint was the first version to divide the material into two parts. The translators of the Septuagint, or the Greek OT, divided it into two books, 1-2 Kingdoms (The First and Second Book of Kingdoms). Later Hebrew tradition also divided the book but retained the name Samuel, as do most English versions. That division into 1st and 2nd Samuel has continued to the present day in all translations and versions, including Hebrew-printed Bibles.
Septuagint (LXX)
The term Septuagint is the name given to the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. It contains what are now known as the apocryphal (a poc ry phal) books. The name Septuagint derives from the Latin word septuaginta, which means 70. The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible is called Septuagint because 70 or 72 Jewish scholars reportedly took part in the translation process. The Septuagint Bible originated in the 3rd century B.C., (or third and second century B.C.) when the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, was translated into Greek.
It is also called the Greek Old Testament.
This translation is quoted in the New Testament, particularly by Paul.
Names used for the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel:
Samuel
1-2 Kingdoms (The First and Second Book of Kingdoms).
First and Second Kings (1st and 2nd Kings were titled 3rd and 4th Kings)
1st and 2nd Samuel
Author of 1st and 2nd Samuel
Jewish tradition ascribed the writing of Samuel to Samuel himself or to Samuel, Nathan and Gad (based on 1 Chr. 29:29).
1 Chronicles 29:29 NLT
29 All the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in The Record of Samuel the Seer, The Record of Nathan the Prophet, and The Record of Gad the Seer.
This could not be true for several reasons.
The authorship of 1 and 2 Samuel is anonymous, though one can hardly doubt that Samuel himself may have written or supplied information for 1 Samuel 1:1-25:1, all of which describes his life and career up to and including his death.
It is impossible, however, to say anything with certainty about the authorship of the remainder of 1 Samuel and of 2 Samuel.
But Samuel cannot be the writer because his death is recorded in 1 Samuel 25:1.
1 Samuel 25:1 NLT
The Death of Samuel
25:1 Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral. They buried him at his house in Ramah.
1 Samuel has 31 chapters.
Further, Nathan and Gad were prophets of the Lord during David’s lifetime and would not have been alive when the book of Samuel was written.
Though the records of these three prophets could have been used for information in the writing of 1 and 2 Samuel, the human author of these books is unknown. The work comes to the readers as an anonymous writing, i.e., the human author speaks for the Lord and give; the divine interpretation of the events narrated.
The author of 1st and 2nd Samuel is unknown.
Important Dates
The date of the composition of the books cannot be determined with any degree of precision. It had to be after 971 B.C. (the death of David). Some scholars say after the division of the kingdom between Israel and Judah in 931 B.C..
The Books of Samuel contain no clear indication of the date of composition. Some scholars say that the author wrote after the division of the kingdom between Israel and Judah in 931 B.C. due to the many references to Israel and Judah as distinct entities (1 Sam. 11:8; 17:52; 18:16; 2 Sam. 5:5; 11:11; 12:8; 19:42-43; 24:1, 9).
2 Samuel 12:8 NLT
8 I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more.
Vs. the kingdom of Israel.
This could also be indicated by the reference to Ziklag, a Philistine city which, the narrator wrote, “has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day” (1 Sam. 27:6)
1 Samuel 27:6 NLT
6 So Achish gave him the town of Ziklag (which still belongs to the kings of Judah to this day)…
During the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon the kingdom was known as the Kingdom of Israel. Saul, David, and Solomon were kings of Israel.
Scholars believe strongly that 1st and 2nd Samuel was written before 722 B.C. The fall of Samaria.
Approximate chronological timeline.
1376-1050 bc The era of the judges
The 300 or so years of the history of Israel under the Judges were marked by political, moral, and spiritual anarchy and deterioration. Throughout the days of the judges, discontent grew over the lack of unity among Israel’s tribes. (see Judges 17-21). When Samuel became old and a successor was needed, it was evident to all that his own sons were unfit to take his place. This factor, coupled with the encroachments of the Ammonites on the east side of the Jordan River, prompted Israel to demand of Samuel that he give them a king “like all the other nations” to unite the nation and protect it from internal and external threats.
1200 bc The Philistines arrive in Canaan
1100-950 bc The period covered by the books of Samuel (150 years)
1100-1070 bc Eli as priest at Shiloh
1075-1040 bc The ministry of Samuel
1050-1011 BC The reign of Saul
1025 BC David is anointed as king
1020 BC David fights Goliath
1011 bc The death of Saul and Jonathan
1011-971 BC David as king of Israel
Second Samuel concludes with a story of royal succession in which David on his deathbed made provision for his son Solomon to follow him on the throne. This must be dated at 971 b.c.
Setting
The majority of the action recorded in 1 and 2 Samuel took place in and around the central highlands in the land of Israel.
The major cities of 1st and 2nd Samuel are to be found in these central highlands:
Shiloh, the residence of Eli and the tabernacle;
Ramah, the hometown of Samuel;
Gibeah, the headquarters of Saul;
Bethlehem, the birthplace of David;
Hebron, David’s capital when he ruled over Judah;
and Jerusalem, the ultimate “city of David.”
Purpose.
1st
The Books of Samuel provide an account of the history of Israel from the end of the 12th through the beginning of the 10th centuries before Christ. That critical period from judgeship to monarchy, from loose tribal affiliation to strong central government.
2nd
More importantly, the books of Samuel show/teach/demonstrate theological themes.
Teach Biblical truths.
The events of David’s life recorded in Samuel foreshadow the actions of David’s greater son (i.e., Christ) in the future.
There are four predominant theological themes in 1 and 2 Samuel.
- The Davidic Covenant.
This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever.
2 Samuel 7:12-16 NLT
12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. 15 But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. 16 Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”
- The sovereignty of God.
- The work of the Holy Spirit in empowering men for divinely appointed tasks.
- The personal and national effects of sin.
