In the Old Testament books of history, 1 & 2 Samuel follow the book of Judges. The title “Samuel” comes from the first of three main characters. Samuel served as Israel’s last judge and also as God’s prophet. The other two are Saul and David, Israel’s first two kings.
Originally one volume, Samuel was compiled by an unknown author based upon the writings of Samuel and the book of Jashar (2 Samuel 1:18). The time covers the birth of Samuel in 1105 BC to the end of King David’s reign in 970 BC and was compiled in this form between 586-538 BC during Israel’s exile in Babylon. Samuel records Israel’s transition from judges to kings and was written to bring hope as Israel looked forward to God’s promise of returning to their land.
As you study Samuel, it is my hope that you will take encouragement from the lives of these people through whom God was able to do extraordinary things. Their backgrounds were ordinary and sometimes even difficult. God worked through both women (Hannah) and men (David) with the requirements being the same – faith and obedience. Our God is the same today and still works through those whose hearts are turned fully toward Him.