Who Wrote This Book:   Though the two books of Samuel are named for the key figure of early chapters, Samuel could not have written more than part of 1 Samuel since his death is recorded in chapter 25.  That he did indeed write a book is attested to in 1 Samuel 10:25.  First Chronicles 29:29 indicates that Nathan and Gad also wrote about the events recorded in Samuel.

Date of Writing:   The writing of Samuel sometime after the divided monarchy (931 B.C.) but before the fall of Samaria (722/21 B.C.).

Why It Was Written:   Samuel was the last judge of Israel as well as the first prophet of the kingdom of Israel (3:19-21) in the 350 year span of the judges.  The book covers a period of about 115 years, from the childhood of Samuel to the beginning of the reign of King David.  He also ministered before the Lord as priest (2:18).

Samuel not only anointed both Saul and David, Israel’s first two kings, but he also gave definition to the new order of God’s rule over Israel. Samuel’s role as God’s representative in this period of Israel’s history is close to that of Moses (see Ps 99:6; Jer 15:1) since he, more than any other person, provided for covenant continuity in the transition from the rule of the judges to that of the monarchy. 

1 and 2 Samuel are named after the person God used to establish monarchy in Israel.

The principal lesson of the book has to do with the effects of sin and holiness in relation to the people and their leaders.

Key Verses:

1 Samuel 2:1:  My heart rejoices in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 

1 Samuel 2:2:  There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

1 Samuel 15:22:  But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?  Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 16:7:  But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."