After the book of Ruth, we come to 1 Samuel. Originally, 1 and 2 Samuel were one book or one scroll. Later, it was split into two books just like 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. The book of 1 Samuel revolves around 3 main characters - Samuel, Saul, and David. The first few chapters record the transition from theocratic rule by the judges to kingship or monarchy. The experiment in kingship would of course end in disaster, with both kingdoms meeting their end in exile, the Northern Kingdom of Israel defeated by Assyria and the Southern Kingdom of Judah by Babylon.
Chapter 1 begins with the story of Samuel's parents, especially focussing on Hannah who is childless whereas Elkanah's other wife Peninnah has children. Hannah's cry for a child is heard by God. Her first child, aptly called Samuel, is the result of God hearing her mother's prayer. She dedicates him to God's service having made a Nazirite vow on his behalf before he was born (1:11). The context is set for Samuel to take over the lead from the old priest Eli whose own two sons proved hopeless for the ministry and task of replacing their father (2:12). Instead the boy Samuel grows up in stature and in favour with God and men (2:26 cf. Luke 2:52 where Jesus is similarly mentioned with the same descriptions).
Chapter 1 begins with the story of Samuel's parents, especially focussing on Hannah who is childless whereas Elkanah's other wife Peninnah has children. Hannah's cry for a child is heard by God. Her first child, aptly called Samuel, is the result of God hearing her mother's prayer. She dedicates him to God's service having made a Nazirite vow on his behalf before he was born (1:11). The context is set for Samuel to take over the lead from the old priest Eli whose own two sons proved hopeless for the ministry and task of replacing their father (2:12). Instead the boy Samuel grows up in stature and in favour with God and men (2:26 cf. Luke 2:52 where Jesus is similarly mentioned with the same descriptions).
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