First Samuel

PDF File: http://sites.google.com/site/johnandjudygrasham/Home/Samuel.pdf?attredirects=0

Written by whom?
Unknown – Jewish tradition states that the prophet Samuel wrote the 1st 24 chapters and that the prophets Nathan and Gad finished the book. Since 1st and 2nd Samuel exceeds the lifespan of Samuel, it must have been finished by someone other than him.

Written when and where?
Sections written by Samuel – as early as 1050 BC; final compilation probably around 930 BC in the capitol city of Jerusalem

Written to whom?
To the Jewish people

What form?
1st and 2nd Samuel was originally one scroll, but was split into two books by translators in the 15th century AD. It’s a narrative form with a few sections of poetry (the song of Hannah and the song of David)

What’s it about?
The transition from Judges (Samuel was the last judge) to Monarchy (Saul and David the first kings of the Israelites)

Written for what purpose?
To record the history of the Jewish people and the first kings – to capture the transition from Theocracy to Theocratic Monarchy