The books of Samuel bear his name not because he wrote them, but because he was the prophet-judge who anointed both Saul and David to be kings.
SAMUEL, THE JUDGE
1:1-3:21 The child Samuel
4:1-7:14 War with Philistia
These chapters belong to the Judges. You should remember the spiritual state of the nation as described in that book.
SAUL AND SAMUEL
7:15-12:25 Saul, the king
13:1-14:52 War with Philistia
15:1-35 The defeat of Amalek
It should be understood that it was always God’s intent to have a king over His people. As far back as Genesis 49 it had been stated that the ruler would come from the tribe of Judah. The problem at this time was that the people wanted a king, before God wanted to give them one! They wanted a king because they did not trust in God as their protector. In that sense, Saul is an abortion to God’s plan. David (of the tribe of Judah) was the first king of God’s plan.
SAUL AND DAVID
16:1-17:58 David at Saul’s court
18:1-20:42 David and Jonathan
Note in these chapters: The troops of Israel were defeated by Goliath because they did not know the covenant which promised all enemies would flee from them. David, knowing the covenant, overcame by trusting in the covenant God. David and Jonathan entered into a blood covenant binding them together for the rest of their lives, and the lives of their ongoing families.
21:1-26:25 David, the fugitive
It was during these trying days that he probably wrote Psalms 6, 7, 11, 22, 23, 27, and 52. Read them in order to get inside David’s walk with God at this time. In reading these chapters, note David’s forgiveness of Saul, and also his faith that God will fulfill His promises and make him king.
27:1-30:31 David with the Philistines
This certainly not a time in David’s life of which to be proud; he joins God’s enemies against the covenant people.