**Introduction to the Book of Samuel (Adapted from Wikipedia and other Sources)** **The Book of Samu**el (Hebrew: ספר שמואל, Sefer Shmuel) is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books (1–2 Samuel) in printed editions, but originally one unified work (probably including the first two chapters of Kings). The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings) that constitute a theological history of the Israelites and that aim to explain God's law for Israel under the guidance of the prophets. While its contents are probably a combination of myth and history, it is generally understood to describe events between the birth of Samuel (circa 1120 BCE) and the end of David’s reign (971 BCE). Many modern scholars posit that the entire Deuteronomistic history was composed circa 630–540 BCE by combining a number of independent texts of various ages. According to Jewish tradition, the book was written by Samuel, with additions by the prophets Gad and Nathan, who together are three prophets who had appeared within 1 Chronicles (appearing at the end of the Hebrew Bible) during the account of David's reign. _From the Jewish Study Bible:_ The book of Samuel describes the transition from the rule of the judges to the monarchic system of government. It tells of the foundation of the monarchy and its early struggles, paying special attention to questions concerning the rights, duties, and restrictions of the kings. It depicts how, through clashes between King Saul and the prophet Samuel, and between King David and the prophet Nathan, a type of kingship emerged that radically differed from the absolute kingship prevalent in the ancient Near East. According to the Bible, kings in Israel were not allowed to do whatever they fancied. They were subject to a higher power and to the rule of law and morality (see esp. Deut. 17.14–20), upheld by the prophets.