1 & 2 Samuel Summary

Title:	These books are named for the judge/prophet, Samuel, who judged Israel during many of the events contained in them.  These two books describe the events  from the reign of King Saul (1 Samuel) through the reign of King David (2 Samuel).
Author:	It is generally accepted by scholars that there may be several who have contributed to the writing of these books.  Possible co-authors would be Samuel, Nathan and Gad.  It is obvious that since the events surrounding the death of Samuel are chronicled in 1 Samuel 25, it would not be possible for Samuel to have written the events of 2nd Samuel. (See 1Chronicles 29:28-29)
Date:	The estimated date of the writing of these books is actually spread over a period of time.  Based upon the way several of the events are described it is generally accepted the approximate date for this writing is towards the end of the 10th century BC.
Main Theme	The main themes of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are both Success and Restoration.  Success as measured by man vs success as measured by God.  While man measures success through power and wealth, God measures success in how well we listen to what He is telling us and then in how well we obediently follow what He has told us.  Restoration comes when even though we try to be successful in the eyes of man, and blow it, God will restore us when we are repentent.
Location:	The events of 1 and 2 Samuel take place primarily in Canaan.  While some events take place in the area of Philistia, the kings reside in Judah.
History	The events of 1 and 2 Samuel deal with the people of Israel rejecting God as their king.  They want a king like the countries around them.  Samuel is the final judge who annoints both Saul and then David to be kings over the united kingdom of Israel.  The kingdoms do not divide untl the death of King Solomon at the end of the first half of 1 Kings.  Saul becomes king.  His reign is embattled with the Philistines.  The shepherd boy David demostrates his faith in the power of God and he defeats Galiath on the battlefield.  Saul makes several mistakes, is not repentant and loses his kingdom.  David makes several mistakes, is repentant and God establishes his throne to last forever.
Major Characters:	Hannah
	Eli
	Samuel
	Saul
	David