First Samuel Analysis free essay sample

Transitions described in the first book of Samuel such as the transition from being ruled by judges to that of a ruling monarchy. Many questions concerning the context of the first book of Samuel have been asked, receiving no definite answer. Questions like who wrote first Samuel? The authorship is still currently unknown. The first book of Samuel, itself gives us no indication of the author’s identity. However, we can conclude that whoever the author is, they had to have access to a number of records about the lives and times of Samuel, Saul, and David. There have been many guess as to the author ship of first Samuel; however none has any significant amount of evidence to prove them true and accurate. Others ask â€Å"When was first Samuel written? † From directly within this primary source we can establish around what time it was written. In first Samuel, we are told that the elders of Israel began to ask for a king to rule them. This gives us evidence that the primary source was written around the same time when Saul was appointed King of Israel. The exact dates are unknown, but scholars approximate the date to be around 1040 BC, similar to the time when Saul was crowned king. We can also determine the approximate location in which the source was written. Based on the primary subjects in the source, Israel and the Hebrews, It would be appropriate to assume that it was written within or near their cultural society. The author of the first book of Samuel intended his audience to directly be the community of the Hebrews. Right in the source the author gives the Hebrews advice and messages from God; such advice like that in I Samuel chapter eight, versus ten through seventeen. The author said, â€Å"The king will take your sons and your daughters, your vineyards and fields, as well as a tenth of your seed. This source was written for the Hebrews, as a form of record keeping, and as a way to draw their attention to the mistakes they had made in the past. Another, more definite purpose of the first book of Samuel is to represent the transition of Israel from the time of judge’s ruling to the rule of kings, going from a theocracy, to a monarchy. It record s the life of Samuel, the last of the judges, and how he makes way for the future kings to rule Israel, specifically of King Saul and David, a future king of Israel. The source also tells us about how rulers are subject to human error. They can become corrupt and unjust like any other person. It gives us insight about how God, believes that we are to act. That we must focus not on the physical earthly things, but rather on the spiritual and religious aspects of life. In the book of Samuel the transition from a theocracy to a monarchy, is portrayed by three main figures; Samuel, representing the old rule of the judges, Saul representing the failed first attempt at a monarchy for Israel, and David Being the ideal king for Israel according to God. We see a picture painted of forgiveness from God. His people turn away from him, yet he gives them what they want, a king. And again when the king becomes corrupt they still want another king. God even warned them and promised them a king that he would not prevent from becoming corrupt. Eventually finding favor in David, God gives them a true king who was devoted to God. .When reading a source like the first book of Samuel we have to keep in mind that there may be biases to take into account. Initially from its very long history, we know that the first book of Samuel had been originally written in Hebrew. Therefore biases may arise from the different translations of this source. Biases from translations as old as this source could come from the translators themselves, whether they know it or not. Not every biased translation is intentional, however it just proves that not all translations can be, or are accurate all the time. We are also given information in this source from the point of view that believed Israel having a king was a bad idea. The thoughts, then from the author would have to be analyzed for a biases centering on anti-monarchial feelings. If one did not want a king to rule, all they would have to do is put some key ideas into the people’s heads through what they read in this source at the time. For example in the book of first Samuel, chapter 8, verses eleven through eighteen; the author, through a recollection of what Samuel said to the Hebrews, describes Samuel warning the Hebrews of all the corruptions that can befall a king. Also, our inability to exactly place what context this source was written, arises another possible bias, our lack of knowledge about the author. We are left just guessing who was trying to say what about the events described in the source. We might not ever know whether this source was written as the events happened chronologically, or if the author recalled them from their memory as they believed them to have happened, even if it was not always exactly how it happened. The first book of Samuel has been used as a primary source by many scholarly peoples. It like all other sources, it is subject to biases. The exact amount we may never know. Yet, to the Hebrew community it is a reliable record covering important parts of their past that cannot be forgotten. Even without knowing exactly who the author was, people take educated guesses and place the author to Samuel himself, and or, someone with access to the records from the time period covered in the source. From this source we do get a good idea about how the Israelites went from a theocracy to a democracy. We also come to understand that for the Hebrew peoples, Samuel was a mediator between god and the people at the time. All historical sources like the book of First Samuel should and must be critically analyzed with an open mind. We should not let our personal beliefs affect how well we determine the accuracy of a source. Even a religious historical source such as this one can be very useful in scholar’s research.