1. 1 Samuel 1:1–31:13 (ESV)
  2. Structure and outline

The structure of 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 1:1–31:13 (ESV)

1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.

Being an historical record, the book of Samuel is largely written in prose. There are, however, a number of poetic sections interspersed throughout the narrative. Most significantly, the song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1–10) and David (2 Samuel 22:1 – 23:7) serve to provide a frame for the composition of the book as a whole. Both songs rejoice in deliverance from enemies (1 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 22:3–4). Both songs celebrate God as a rock (1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:32), speak of Sheol (1 Samuel 2:6; 2 Samuel 22:6), and describe God’s thundering in the darkness (1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 22:14, 2 Samuel 22:29), his protection of the faithful (1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Samuel 22:26), and his steadfast love for his anointed (1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 22:51; 2 Samuel 23:1). Taking its place at the beginning of the book, Hannah’s song is a summary of the themes that will fill the book as a whole.1

Samuel can be divided into three sections in accordance with the characters that feature most prominently:2

  1. Samuel (1 Samuel 1–8)

  2. Saul (1 Samuel 9–15)

  3. David (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 24)

If we limit ourselves to 1 Samuel, then Ralph Davis’s division can also be helpful:3

  1. The prophet from God’s grace (1 Samuel 1–8)

  2. The king in God’s place (1 Samuel 8–14)

  3. The man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 15–31)