1 Samuel 1:1

I. ELI AND SAMUEL 1:1-4:1A

First Samuel begins by contrasting Israel’s last two judges (Eli: a failure; and Samuel: a success) and then Israel’s first two kings (Saul: a failure; and David: a success).

The first major section of Samuel sharply contrasts obedience and disobedience to the will of God as God expressed that for Israel in the Mosaic Covenant. This contrast is clear in all seven major sections of 1 and 2 Samuel. The events in this section took place during Eli’s 40-year judgeship (1 Samuel 4:18; 1 Samuel 1144-1104 B.C.). [Note: Eugene H. Merrill, "Paul’s Use of ’About 450 Years’ in Acts 13:20," Bibliotheca Sacra (July-September 1981):247, dated Samson’s death about 1085 B.C.] First Samuel overlaps Judges chronologically.