The 365 Day Devotional Commentary

1 Samuel

INTRODUCTION

First and 2 Samuel were originally a single book in the Hebrew canon. Together they give a complete history of the transition of Israel from a group of loosely related tribes ruled by judges to a united and powerful monarchy. The time spanned is roughly 120 years, from about 1050 to 931 B.C. First Samuel traces the emergence of the monarchy through the stories of three men. Samuel served as Israel’s last judge. He anointed Israel’s first king, Saul. When Saul proved unwilling to obey God’s commands, Samuel secretly anointed David to succeed him. David’s rise to prominence after he killed Goliath and his persecution by Saul are reported in this book, which contains many familiar and favorite Bible stories.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	The Ministry of Samuel	1 Sam. 1–7
II.	The Rule of Saul	1 Sam. 8–15
III.	The Rise of David	1 Sam. 16–31