1 Samuel: Structure

1 Samuel is set in the transition period between the time of the judges and the time of the kings. When considering the arrangement of the text of 1 Samuel, we must also include 2 Samuel 1.
In 1 Samuel 1 to 2 Samuel 1 three sections can be distinguished:

The first part (1 Samuel 1–8) begins with the birth of Samuel.
Samuel’s sons do not appear to be suitable persons to follow their father as a judge. Therefore the Israelites ask for a king. Samuel grudgingly agrees.

The second part (1 Samuel 9–16) tells how Saul is assigned by God to be the king and is installed by the people. But he is disobedient to God, and therefore his descendants will not continue his royal line.

The third part (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 1) describes the decline of Saul and the rise of David as future king. Saul is rejected by God and David is anointed as king. Their love-hate relationship unavoidably grows into a struggle for power. Saul’s children, Jonathan and Michal, choose to take David’s side. When Saul and Jonathan die in the battle against the Philistines, David is finally able to claim the throne.