We will be studying the book of 1 Samuel. Initially 1 Samuel was a unified book with 2 Samuel, but people have split them up and called hem various names for a long time.
Using a study Bible read through an introduction to 1 Samuel and write down five things that you find out. Things to look for are:
- When was the book written?
- Who were the original audience?
- Why was the book written?
- What are some themes in the book?
- Who was Samuel?
Plymothian 
1. When was the book written? Samuel seems to have been compiled at different times but the final editing was done during the late tenth century B.C.
2. Who were the original audience? Israelites?
3. Why was the book written? The purpose of the book was to highlight the beginning of the monarchy in Israel and to prepare for David’s royal reign after Saul.
4. What are some themes in the book? 1. God’s kingship 2. God’s providential guidance, 3. God’s sovereign will and power.
5. Who was Samuel? Samuel established monarchy by anointing Saul and David.
1. 1 Samuel was written around 900 B.C.
2. The original audience seems to be Israel.
3. The book was written to help Israel to survive and to find a leader.
4. Some themes in the book are the Davidic covenant, the sovereignty of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
5. Samuel was a prophet and a judge to Israel. He was the one that anointed Saul.
1. When was the book written?
– Final editing must have been done during the late tenth century B.C.
2. Who were the original audience?
– The original audience seems like to be the people of Judah (It doesn’t say in Study Bible)
3.Why was the book written?
– This book was written to highlight two major events: first, the establishment of the monarchy in Israel; and second, the preparation of David to sit on the royal throne after Saul.
4. What are some themes in the book?
– Kingship of God, His providential guidance, and His sovereign will and power.
5. Who was Samuel?
– He was a prophet who anointed first Saul, then David as king over the covenant people.
• It was written around the tenth century.
• Probably Israel
• The book was written to show how God established a king over Israel.
• Some themes include the ark of the covenant, kingship, obedience, God’s sovereignty
• Samuel was the person God used to establish a kingship in His people.
1. It was written around the 10th century BC at the end of the time of the Judges rule.
2. Israel or Judah?
3. The book was written so that people would not put their trust in the strength of people or government but to challenge them to put their trust in YHWH.
4. God’s sovereignty, how God uses the political situation for his good, it encourages obedience to instruction
5. Samuel was a prophet to his people; he was born of a barren woman and God used him in setting up a monarchy rather than having Judges in the kingdom.
1.When was the book written? B.C 930-722
2.Who were the original audience? Israel who lived during the reigns of David and Solomon, as well as of their successive generations – http://www.pacificunionchurch.org/docs/proper6otreadingnotes.pdf
3.Why was the book written? to understand the way that God works through all who trust, and are eager to respond to Him.—Bible Reader’s Companion
4.What are some themes in the book? Ministry of Samuel, Story of Saul, Emergence of David – Bible Reader’s Companion
5.Who was Samuel? Israel’s last judge, who supervised the founding of the monarchy—Bible Reader’s Companion
* When was the book written?
The book was written somewhere between 970 B.C. and 722 B.C.
* Who were the original audience?
The Israelite people.
* Why was the book written?
I Samuel was written to show the Kingship of Israel and how they need to respect and obey God.
* What are some themes in the book?
Key themes are obedience to God and reverence, God’s sovereignty, and the monarchy of Israel.
* Who was Samuel?
Samuel was a prophet and a Levite priest. He probably wrote most of 1 Samuel.
1. the book was written around 931 B.C.
2. The original audience were the Israelites.
3. The purpose of the book is “to describe the development of Israel from a (tribal confederation) Theocracy to a monarchy (under God)” as well as to “reveal God’s sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises in enacting the Davidic Covenant.”
4. God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, monarchy,
5. Samuel was a prophet and Israel’s last judge.
1. The book was probably written in the 10th century B.C.
2. The original audience was the Israelites.
3. 1 Samuel was written to record the history of Israel’s monarchy and also to show how the Lord provided for His people.
4. Themes: the sovereignty of God, monarchy of Israel, obedience to the Lord
5. Samuel was a prophet and the last judge of Israel who anointed both Saul and David. He also wrote most of 1 Samuel.
1) It was written around 930 B.C.
2) The audience was the nation of Israel.
3) It was written to form a link between the judges and the period of the kings, as well as encourage the Isrealites to form a revival.
4) One major theme is how sin as well as holiness effects indiviuals as well as the entire nation of Isreal.
5) Samuel was the last judge of Isreal, who desired to see a revival take place.
1. The book was written around 900 BC, sometime after the division of the nation into the northern and southern kingdoms in 931 BC.
2. The original audience was probably Israel.
3. The book was written to reveal the continuing of the history of God’s relationship with His people. It also links the era when the judges ruled Israel to when it was ruled by kings.
4. Some themes in the book are blessings from God and judgement from God, also God’s faithfulness to Israel, and the theme of monarchy.
5. Samuel was a prophet, and he anointed both Saul and David as king, he also was the last judge of Israel.
1. at around 1105 B.C
2. Israel
3.To record the life of Samuel, Israel’s last judge; the reign and decline of Saul, Israel’s first king; and the choice and preparation of David, Israel’s greatest king.
4. How one mistake (disobedience/sin) can affect one’s life and the people around you.
5. Samuel led Israel for many years in the combined roles of prophet, priest and judge.
• When was the book written?
Around 10th century BC.
• Who were the original audience?
To the nation of Israel
• Why was the book written?
The book was written to show the kingship of the Israelite monarchy. It revealed how the period of the judges transitioned into the reign of King David.
• What are some themes in the book?
Some themes are God’s ultimate sovereignty and how God can use any situation for the good regardless of who is in charge.
• Who was Samuel?
Levite priest and prophet.
• The book was written sometime after Israel was divided into the northern and southern kingdoms, about 930 B.C.
• The original audience was the Israelites, God’s chosen people.
• The book was written to show and describe the complexity of the beginning of the change from theocracy to monarchy.
• Some themes in the book are the transition of the Israelites from the period of judges to the period of kings.
• Samuel was a prophet.
•When was the book written?
– It was evidently written between the end of David’s
life and some point during Solomon’s reignm but we cannot pinpoint exact dates because the data is insufficient to build a precise chronology.
•Who were the original audience?
-The Israelites who lived during the reigns of David and
Solomon, as well as of their successive generations.
•Why was the book written?
-The book of 1 Samuel introduces Samuel and goes on to explore the
tension between covenant loyalty to God and human kingship. King Saul generally disobeyed God, so God
set plans in motion for David to become Israel’s next king.”
•What are some themes in the book?
– How the problem of anarchy in Israel was solved. Samuel revived the institution of prophecy in Israel (3:1,10,19-21), thus giving the guidance in the right way to individual Israelites.
•Who was Samuel?
– Samuel was the last judge of Israel as well as the first prophet of the kingdom of Israel.
1. 1050bc 2. Isreal 3. To help Isreal 4. Issues in leadership 5. The first prophet. Of Israel