The two books of Samuel were originally one in Hebrew. The division was first made where the Old Testament was translated into Greek, the amount of space required by that language making it impracticable to write the entire book upon a single roll.
   The authorship of these books cannot be determined, but there is abundant evidence that they embody the report of eye-witnesses. Some of the more prominent characters in the scenes described are name as writers in I Chronicles 29:29.
   The First Book of Samuel records the rise of a new political and spiritual order represented by the kings and the prophets. The establishment of the monarchy, with Saul as the first king, is an epochal event in the development of Israel’s national life.
   Of no less importance is the appearance of the “company of the prophets” under the leadership of Samuel. In these institutions we see the beginning of the movement which made Israel spiritually supreme among the nations. – Through the Bible Day by Day

The Establishment of the Monarchy

I. From the Birth of Samuel to the Anointing of Saul, I Samuel 1-8
   1. Hannah’s Prayer and Its Answer, I Samuel 1
   2. Samuel’s Consecration to Jehovah, I Samuel 2:1-21
   3. The Evil Conduct of Eli’s Sons, I Samuel 2:22-36
   4. Their Punishment Revealed to Samuel, I Samuel 3
   5. The Death of Eli and His Sons; the Capture of the Ark, I Samuel 4
   6. The Sojourn of the Ark in Philistia, I Samuel 5
   7. The Return of the Ark to Israel, I Samuel 6-7
   8. The Demand for a King, I Samuel 8
II. From the Anointing of Saul to the Anointing of David, I Samuel 9-15
   1. The Meeting of Saul and Samuel, I Samuel 9
   2. Samuel Anoints Saul King of Israel, I Samuel 10:1-16
   3. Saul Proclaimed King by the People, I Samuel 10:17-27
   4. Saul Rescues Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites, I Samuel 11
   5. Samuel’s Farewell Address, I Samuel 12
   6. Saul’s Wars with the Philistines, I Samuel 13-14
   7. Saul’s Failure to Destroy the Amalekites, His Rejection, I Samuel 15
III. From the Anointing of David to the Death of Saul, I Samuel 16-31
   1. Samuel Anoints David to Succeed Saul, I Samuel 16
   2. David’s Victory over Goliath, I Samuel 17
   3. The Friendship of David and Jonathan, I Samuel 18-20
   4. Saul Pursues David to Slay Him, I Samuel 21-26
   5. David Goes over to the Philistines, I Samuel 27
   6. Saul Consults the Witch of Endor, I Samuel 28
   7. David Withdraws from Philistia and Conquers the Amalekites, I Samuel 29-30
   8. Saul’s Last Stand against the Philistines, I Samuel 31 – Through the Bible Day by Day

   The Second Book of Samuel is devoted entirely to the reign of David. His coronation, first by Judah and then by all of the tribes, his wars and conquests, his care for the religious life of the people, his sins, and the calamities he suffered, are impartially set forth in vivid and convincing narrative.
   “A very notable thing in the books of Samuel,” says James Robertson, “is the prominence given to music and song. There is in these books an unusual number of poetical pieces ascribed to this period, and all the indications put together give ample justification for the fame of David as the sweet singer of Israel, and for the ascription to him of the origin of that volume of sacred song which never ceased in Israel, and has become embodied in the Psalms.” – Through the Bible Day by Day

The Reign of David

I. David’s Early Reign over Judah, II Samuel 1-4
   1. David’s Lament over the Death of Saul and Jonathan, II Samuel 1
   2. The Contest between David and Ishbosheth, II Samuel 2:1-3:5
   3. Abner, Estranged from Ishbosheth, Joins David, II Samuel 3:6-21
   4. The Murder of Abner by Joab, II Samuel 3:22-39
   5. The Overthrow of the House of Saul, II Samuel 4
II. David’s Later Reign over All Israel, II Samuel 5-20
   1. David Proclaimed King by All the Tribes, II Samuel 5
   2. David’s Care for the Ark, II Samuel 6, 7
   3. David’s Conquests, II Samuel 8
   4. David’s Kindness to the Remnant of the House of Saul, II Samuel 9
   5. The War with Ammon and the Siege of Rabbah, II Samuel 10-12
   6. Absalom’s Crime, Banishment, and Return, II Samuel 13, 14
   7. Absalom’s Rebellion and Death, II Samuel 15-18
   8. David’s Return and the Revolt of Sheba, II Samuel 19, 20
III. Appendix: Undated Incidents, Registers, and Psalms, II Samuel 21-24
   1. The Story of Rizpah; Deeds of the Philistine Wars, II Samuel 21
   2. The Words of David, II Samuel 22:1-23
   3. Register of the Mighty Men, II Samuel 23:8-39
   4. The Numbering of the People; the Pestilence, II Samuel 24 – Through the Bible Day by Day