1-2 Samuel

the long version

The books of 1-2 Samuel are at the core of the Bible's account of Israel's history. Three major characters, whose careers overlap, dominate the pages of 1-2 Samuel: Samuel, Saul, and David. David is the focal point of the story; literarily and historically, the other two characters function primarily in relation to David. The narrator's overriding concern is to demonstrate that David (not Saul) is the Lord's chosen king and the heir to a covenant promise that guarantees the realization of God's purposes for his people Israel. - Introduction.