Summary Author : Possibly Samuel, Nathan and Gad Time : 1100 – 970 B.C. Summary : Samuel is the first of two historical books which illustrates Israel’s transition from a loose confederation of tribes to a strong and united nation. It portrays the life of the last judge, Samuel, and the anointing of the first king of Israel, Saul. It recounts the degenerating reign of Saul and the succession of his throne by David, a man after God’s own heart. In the original Hebrew text, the books of Samuel were considered one book by the Hebrew scribes. The second book begins with the death of Saul and the ascension of David to the throne. The rest of the book records the reign of David regarding conquered lands, as well as political intrigues. It concludes with the blessing of Solomon by David. Key verses : "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." (1 Samuel 8:19–20) "When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." (2 Samuel 7:12–13) Main people : Eli, Samuel, Saul, David, Abner, Mephibosheth, Uriah, Bathsheba, Nathan, Joab, Amnon, Absalom

Outline 1. The life of Samuel 1 Sam 1:1 – 7:17 a) The birth and childhood of Samuel 1:1 – 4:1a b) The capture and return of the ark 4:1b – 7:17 2. The life of Saul 8:1 – 15:35 a) Israel’s request for a king 8:1–22 b) Political life of Saul 9:1 – 12:25 c) War of Independence 13:1 – 14:52 d) Saul rejected by Samuel 15:1–35 3. The early life of David 16:1 – 2 Sam 20:26 a) David anointed to be king 16:1–13 b) David in the court of Saul 16:14 – 19:17 c) David in exile 19:18 – 31:13 d) David, king at Hebron 2 Sam 1:1 – 4:12 e) David, king at Jerusalem 5:1–5 4. David as king: accomplishment and glory 5:6 – 9:13 a) David conquers Jerusalem and defeats the Philistines 5:6–25 b) David brings ark to Jerusalem 6:1–23 c) God promises David an everlasting dynasty 7:1–29 d) David's victories and officials 8:1–18 e) David and Mephibosheth 9:1–13 5. David as king: weakness and failure 10:1 – 20:26 a) David commits adultery and murder 10:1 – 12:31 b) David loses his sons Amnon and Absalom 13:1 – 20:26 6. The last days of David 21:1 – 24:25 a) The famine 21:1–14 b) Heroic exploits 21:15–22 c) David’s psalm 22:1–51 d) David’s testament 23:1–7 e) Heroic exploits 23:8–39 f) Census and plague 24:1–25 (RH)

Author – Samuel, Nathan and Gad
Time – 1,150 – 1,000 B.C.

Summary – 1 Samuel is the first of two historical books which describe Israel’s transition from a loose confederation of tribes to a strong and united nation. It portrays the anointing of the first king of Israel, Saul, by a great prophet, Samuel. It recounts the degenerating reign of Saul and the succession to his throne of David, a man "after God’s own heart". In the original Hebrew text, the books of Samuel were considered one book by the Hebrew scribes. The second book begins with the ascension of David to the throne. The rest of the book records the eventful reign of David. It concludes with the blessing of Solomon by David.