Like many other books in the Bible, the author of the 1 Samuel is anonymous. The author existed way long after King Solomon’s death in around 930 BC, which eventually led Israel to be split into two countries. It is named after the prophet Samuel, but he himself did not write this book because he passed away before the end of it.
1 Samuel chronicles the major events during the time when Israelites regarded their leaders as “judges,” and Samuel was the last of them. Samuel, being also a priest and a prophet, anointed Saul who was the first King of Israel. At first Saul had a good reign. But soon after that he disobeyed God so He chose another man named David to be the King, and David would obey him. The book ends with Saul’s demise. The book of 2 Samuel chronicles King David’s life.
