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The books of 1 & 2 Samuel originally were one book in the Hebrew Scriptures and were not divided. The translators of the Septuagint (the Greek text used at the time of Christ) combined "The Book of Samuel" with the Kings and then divided them into four sections.

The two books of Samuel provide for us an important glimpse into the transition from the Theocracy to the Monarchy. The transition was prompted, not out of God's desire, but out of Israel's rejection of God (1 Samuel 8:7; 10:19; 12:17-19; but see Deuteronomy 17:14-15; 28:36). It tells us a fascinating side to God's relationship with His people - sometimes God will grant the request of people even when it is not God's desire (see also Psalm 106:15; Numbers 14:2 & 26-37; 22:20). Yet, we are to ask persistently (Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8). Resolution is found in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; we ask, but don't tempt, until we are told "no."

The books also give us the accounts of three key persons: Samuel, Saul, and David. Samuel was the last of the judges but he ultimately was rejected by the people; Saul was the first of the kings but he ultimately was rejected by God because of his disobedience (1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:11, 22-23, 26-29); David, having the right heart and being accepted by God and the people (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Kings 9:4; 11:4, 6, 33, 38; 14:8; 15:3, 5, 11; 2 Kings 14:3; 16:2; 18:3; 22:2), took Saul's place. God made an everlasting covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Psalm 89:3-4). The names are significant: Samuel means "His name is God" and it fittingly describes the direct relationship of God over His kingdom in the theocracy; Saul means "asked" and he came as result of Israel's asking; David means "beloved" and he was beloved of God. The Hebrew word from which David's name comes is used repeatedly in the Song of Songs to describe love.

Date:  1120 to 970 B.C. (There is an overlap with the end of the Judges)

Divisions:  The books of Samuel are divided as follows:

The Book of 1 Samuel

I.  Samuel  1-7

1. His Birth  1
2. His Dedication  2
3. His Calling  3
4. His Ascendancy  4-7

II.  Saul  8-15

1. The Call for a King  8
2. The Establishment of a King  9-12
3. The Failures of a King  13-15
1. A Soiled Sacrifice  13
2. A Stupid Vow  14
3. A Sorry Victory  15

III.  David's Ascendancy  16-31

1. His Anointing  16
2. His Acclaim  17-18
3. His Humiliation  18-26
4. His Vengeance  27-31

The Book of 2 Samuel

I.  Consolidating the Kingdom  1-5

II.  Achieving Greatness  6-10

1. The Ark  6
2. The Covenant  7
3. The Conquests  8
4. The Kindness  9
5. The Triumph  10

III.  Tasting Sin's Bitterness  11-21

1. The Sin  11
2. The Exposure  12
3. The Beginning Costs  13
4. Absalom  14-19
5. Sheba's Rebellion  20
6. The Gibeonites  21

IV.  Closing Comments  22-24

1. Praise  22
2. The Mighty Men  23
3. Census  24

Key Thought:
Destructive Choices (1 Samuel 2:27-31; 5:4, 6, 9, 11-12; 6:18-19; 8:5; 13:9-13; 14:24; 15:9; 25:32-34; 2 Samuel 6:6; 11:4, 15; 13:14, 28-29; 14:24; 16:7; 21:1; 24:10)

Key Passage:  1 Samuel 2:25; see also 12:23; 15:22-23; 16:7; 2 Samuel 14:14

Key Lesson:  Sin's Consequence is Misery

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