The independent "Samuel the Judge" narrative in 1 Samuel 1-7

What is it about?

I argue that the first seven chapters dealing with Samuel's life were originally part of a biographical story about him, and him alone, that was not intended to continue into the stories of kings Saul and David.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

These chapters have typically been explained as an introduction to the figure who makes Saul and David king, but the story they tell is, first of all, much longer than the life story of anyone with similar importance; they contain a perfectly complete narrative arc between the figures of Samuel and Eli; and they end with two statements that are immediately revealed to be false: that the Philistines will never come again, while Samuel lives, and that he will judge Israel all the days of his life. In the next chapters, he quickly retires to allow Saul to face the resurgent Philistines.