AUTHOR

The Bible does not say who wrote 1 and 2 Samuel. Many Bible students think Samuel along with Nathan and Gad had major input, pointing to 1 Chronicles 29:29 as evidence. Others think the books had a long history of composition with various narratives or narrative sources being composed from the time of the events until the time of the exile, when the “Former Prophets” were gathered into one collection. Such individual narratives would include: Shiloh (1Sm 1–3), the ark (1Sm 4:1–7:1), the rise of kingship (1Sm 9:1–11:15), battles of Saul (1Sm 13–15), the history of David’s rise to power (1Sm 16:14—2Sm 5:25), David’s reign (2Sm 9–20), and the succession to the throne of David (1Kg 1–2). An early scroll of 1 and 2 Samuel may well have been part of the book depository in Solomon’s temple when it was completed.

A PIVOTAL PERIOD IN ISRAEL’S HISTORY

First and 2 Samuel play a pivotal role in the Bible for both historical and theological reasons. Historically, these books document the monumental transition that occurred in Old Testament Israel as it moved from being a collection of twelve tribes with no national government to being a unified nation with a centralized government under the control of a king. Furthermore, these books provide a detailed description of the last leaders during the period of the judges, the career of Israel’s first king, and the exploits and accomplishments of Israel’s most famous king, David.

The books also document the historical fulfillment of promises made by God in the Torah. The law of Moses had predicted the rise of kingship as an institution in Israel (Gn 17:16; 35:11; 36:31; Dt 17:15); the events recorded in the books of Samuel show that the kingship became a historical reality. The Torah predicted that a member of the tribe of Judah would rule over Israel (Gn 49:10); this was borne out by the narratives in 1 and 2 Samuel with the ascent of David, of the tribe of Judah, to the throne. Furthermore, the promises that Israel would defeat Moab, Edom, and the Amalekites (Nm 24:17-20) were also shown to have been carried out. Finally, prophecies regarding the establishment of “a covenant of perpetual priesthood” for the family line of Eleazar the priest (Nm 25:13) were also moved toward fulfillment with the judgment enacted against the family line of Eli.

The books of Samuel also provide concrete historical examples that confirm the theological teachings of the Torah. One of the primary precepts of the Torah is that obedience to God brings blessings, while disobedience brings divine judgment. The contrasts between Eli and Samuel, as well as Saul and David, certainly bear this out. Disaster came to Eli and Saul as a result of their sins, but blessings came to Samuel and David as they followed the Lord. The life of David further demonstrates the sobering truth that God will bring judgment. Illustrations of the disastrous consequences that can result from failing to honor one’s father (as Absalom did with his father David), as well as committing acts of murder and adultery (as David did with Uriah and Bathsheba) are all provided in vivid detail.

RELIABILITY OF 1 AND 2 SAMUEL

Perhaps the most serious question raised by recent skeptics regarding 1 and 2 Samuel relates to the historical trustworthiness of the narratives contained in these books. Some scholars dismiss the accounts as fanciful tales with no more historical value than the legends of King Arthur. This highly negative view of the historical reliability of these books is unjustified, however.

Though it is impossible to “prove” many of the details found in 1 and 2 Samuel (e.g., the exact words spoken in conversations, the daily whereabouts and activities of the participants in the narratives, the outcome of a minor military skirmish), it is possible to provide scientific confirmation of the general claims of the biblical texts. Archaeological investigation has confirmed, for example, that Philistines lived in the regions and at the times when the books of Samuel indicated they did. It has also proven that the family line of David (lit the “house of David”) served as kings over Israel; evidence for this is found in the form of two inscriptions coming from the ninth century BC, the Tell Dan inscription and the Mesha Stele. The existence of a strong centralized government that developed following a period of destruction has been confirmed in such cities as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer; this agrees well with the Bible’s claims regarding the Israelite conquest of Canaan and the development of a national government during the kingship period.

The books of Samuel are especially valuable for Christians because they lay the foundation for the all-important doctrine of the Messiah, the ultimate descendant of David who would sit on an everlasting throne ruling over God’s people and bring deliverance and justice. The promises God made to David in 2 Samuel 7 created hopes and expectations that the New Testament writers understood to have been fulfilled by Jesus. The Lord promised David that he would establish the kingdom of one of David’s descendants (2Sm 7:12); in the New Testament Jesus was identified as that descendant of David (Mt 1:20; 21:9) who brought the kingdom of God to humanity (Mt 12:28; Lk 11:20). God said David’s descendant would build a house for God’s name (2Sm 7:13); the New Testament writers portrayed Jesus as one who built the ultimate temple of God in three days (Mt 26:61; Jn 2:19). God promised David that one of his descendants would have a throne that would last forever (2Sm 7:13); the New Testament declares that Jesus had just that (Heb 1:8). God said that one of David’s descendants “will be my son” (2Sm 7:14); Jesus came as the ultimate Son of God (Mt 16:16; Mk 1:1; Lk 1:35).