At a Glance
1 Samuel at a Glance
- Author. Not named. First and Second Samuel were one book in the Hebrew Bible. Samuel probably left the early records, since he dies in 1 Samuel 25:1, and the prophets Nathan and Gad, who knew David, may have finished the story (1 Chronicles 29:29).
- Date. The events run from Samuel's birth to Saul's death, about 1100 to 1010 BC. The book took its final form after the kingdom divided in 931 BC, because it says Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day (1 Samuel 27:6).
- Written To. Israel under the kings, to show how the monarchy began, why Saul failed, and why the LORD chose David.
- Setting. Israel at the end of the judges: Shiloh, Ramah, Gibeah, and Bethlehem, with the Philistines pressing in.
- Key Verse. the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
- Key Word or Theme. The LORD's king. The people ask for a king like the nations. God gives them Saul, and then raises up David.
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Further reading
For Deeper Study
- Be SuccessfulAmazon Warren W. WiersbeA readable study of 1 Samuel that follows the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David and draws practical lessons from each.
- Samuel the ProphetAmazon F. B. MeyerA classic devotional biography of Samuel by the English Baptist pastor, rich in application.
- Looking on the Heart: Expositions of the Book of 1 SamuelAmazon Dale Ralph DavisA clear exposition by a Reformed scholar. We differ with him on some doctrines, but he is strong on the narrative and its meaning.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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Ruth
Ruth tells how a Moabite widow who trusted the God of Israel was redeemed by Boaz, her kinsman, and became the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus.
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